Termites are common pests that feed on wood and cause structural damage in homes. The two common types are drywood and subterranean. It’s essential to seek an exterminator if you spot an infestation, so get informed about these pesky creatures below. 

Drywood

Although drywood and subterranean termites are similar in appearance—both have white, brown, and translucent coloring—the former tend to be larger. Drywood termites are more common in humid, coastal regions, as they get their water from moisture in the wood where they nest.

An obvious sign of drywood termites is frass, or termite fecal matter. You may find it around your home, especially near holes in the wood. Frass looks similar to sawdust, but with a closer look, you’ll see it’s made of small pellets.

With a drywood infestation, an exterminator will likely recommend tent fumigation. A tent is placed over your home, then a fumigant gas is circulated to reach all the nooks and crevices where the termites reside. This process usually takes one to three days, though larger infestations may warrant more time. You can return to your home with your exterminator’s approval after the fumigant has dissipated. 

Subterranean

Subterranean termites are found in both coastal regions and inland, making them more common. They build their nests in the ground, where they also acquire water. Even as they form a network through your home, they’ll maintain a connection to the ground. 

Subterranean termites build mud tubes to move between your home and their nest in the ground. These dark brown tubes might be found along the foundation of a property, across the patio, and even inside the home. 

With subterranean termites, your exterminator will likely use a Sentricon® system. Bait stations are placed around your foundation where termite tunnels and nests are usually located. As termites move through the ground, they’ll encounter the stations and ingest the bait, which prevents them from molting and growing. When they share the bait with their colony, all members, including the queen, will die. 

Keep your home termite-free with help from the experienced exterminators at Hilo Termite & Pest Control. For over four decades, the family-owned business has provided the Big Island with pest control services to address termites and roaches, including preventative ground treatment, inspections, tent fumigation, and Sentricon systems. If you’re worried about pests infiltrating your home, call (808) 935-8301, or learn more about their termite control services online.