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Of the 2,100 termite species – order Isoptera – 41 are in North America.

The kind most destructive to structures here are the dry-wood and subterranean types.
The dry-wood termite is more prevalent than the subterranean in Southern California’s mild, dry climate, infesting buildings as well as furniture, utility poles and lumber piles.

Both types are a problem throughout Los Angeles.

Signs of Termites

• Swarming of winged termites in late summer or fall: shed wings usually accumulate on windowsills.
• Evidence of tunneling in wood: blistering or thinning on wood surface.
• Pellets of partly digested wood left excreted by termites under old furniture or near woodpiles.

Click on photo to enlarge

Drywood Termites

The western drywood termite, Incisitermes minor, is California's second most important termite pest after the western subterranean termite. It is a native insect that has been here millions of years, mostly attacking trees along river washes and arroyos. In California drywood termites are most prevalent in southern California and the Central Valley but also can be found infesting wood along the coast, in bay areas south of San Francisco and in the southern California desert.

Because of the difficulty in detecting drywood termites and determining the extent of the damage done, do-it-yourself treatments are not recommended; consult with Raidex Termite Control. Over-the-counter products with drywood termites on the label for do-it-yourself enthusiasts do not exist. Except for wood removal, homeowners should seek help from Raidex Termite Control. This publication is intended to provide homeowners with sufficient background information so that they can better discuss treatment options with pest control professionals; it is not intended as a treatment guide.

Detection

Drywood termites are secretive insects and are difficult to detect. They live deep inside wood and, except during periods when they swarm or when repair work is being done on infested homes, they are seldom seen. Colonies are small (usually fewer than 1,000 individuals), can be widely dispersed, and take years to mature. While a homeowner may initially detect the presence of termites when they swarm or if fecal pellets are discovered, inspecting for drywood termites and determining the extent of an infestation requires experience.

The minimum requirement by California state law for drywood termite inspections includes visual searches of accessible areas. However, detection of difficult-to-find infestations may require removal of walls, paneling and stucco as well as the use of ladders and scaffolds.

During a visual inspection for drywood termites, inspectors look for feeding damage, shed wings and kickout holes, which are small holes the size of a BB shot through which termites push fecal pellets out of the wood. Fecal pellets, hexagonal in shape, are diagnostic for drywood termites. However, whether the infestation is currently active or what the extent of the infestation is, cannot be determined from pellets alone. Cleaning up the fecal pellets around a kickout hole and checking a few days later to see if new pellets have appeared can help to determine if an infestation is active. (Building vibrations/movements may cause some pellets to appear.) If an active infestation of drywood termites is found in your structure, you should have it treated.

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to learn more about:

>  Drywood

>  Subterranean

>  Eastern Subterranean

• Termites live in colonies which can contain several thousand members and up to several hundred thousand members. These insects have a “caste” structure which means that each “caste” has a different function to perform, as well as a different appearance.

• Swarmers appear in the Southern California usually in April and May. After a swarm, the kings and queens mate and form a new colony. Swarmers lose their wings soon after their brief flight. The presence of these wings indicate that a swarm has occurred within the home or structure.
   
• Winged termites (swarmers) which are usually black in appearance, are often confused with carpenter ants. It helps to know the difference.
   
• Soldier termites protect the colony from predators such as ants. That is their sole purpose and will fight to the death to protect the colony.
   
• The worker termites are very numerous, are white to cream colored and are the providers for the colony. They are approximately 1/8th of an inch in length.
   
• They feed on wood or other materials that contain cellulose, such as paper, cardboard, fiberboard and some fabrics as well. A small organism lives in the digestive track of the insect. The protozoa helps to convert cellulose into nourishing food.
   
• Subterranean termites build “mud” tubes to shelter them from low humidity and affords them a controlled atmosphere.
   
• Termites can cause substantial damage over time, and unless you know what to look for, you may not be aware that you have a problem. Houses should be inspected at least once a year for evidence. This evidence could consist of damaged wood, mud tubes, swarmer wings or “sounding” the wood to check its integrity.
   
• Because of the insidious nature of this insect, it is recommended that a professional check your home if you have any doubts of their existence within the structure. Raidex Termite and Pest Control, will perform this inspection free of charge if a written report is not required by a lending institution for the sale of the structure.
   
• E-mail us with any questions you may have, or to schedule a FREE inspection. You can also do it the old fashioned way by calling us at (888) 672-4339

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Subterranean Termites

• Subterranean termites are wood destroying (eating) insects that live in the soil. They typically nest approximately 4 ft. below the surface of the soil, but can nest as much as 12 ft. or more below the surface.

Subterranean Termites

Species: Reticulitermes flavipes
Family: Rhinotermitidae
Order: Isoptera

In North America, subterranean termites are a widely distributed and economically important group. The damaging species are the Eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes, the western subterranean termite, R. hesperus and the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus.

The termite colony has a well-defined caste system with individuals differing in both form and function. In termites, three basic castes occur:

• Reproductive Caste
  Primary reproductives are the original founders of the colony. At certain times of the year, winged reproductives commonly called alates or swarmers, are produced. After swarming, male and female pairs will mate and find a suitable location to start a new colony. Colonies contain secondary reproductives, which may take over the colony reproductive function if the primary reproductives die.

• Worker Caste
  These sterile, wingless, soft-bodied, creamy-white insects are the most numerous forms in the colony. Workers have hardened mouthparts for biting and chewing. They are responsible for performing most of the labor of the termite colony, including caring for eggs and young, obtaining food and constructing tunnels.

• Soldier Caste
  This class is easily recognized because its members have an enlarged head with large mandibles. Their sole job is to defend the colony against enemies such as ants and other termites.