The Drywood Termite life cycle

Termites are eusocial insects that seem to be closely related to cockroaches. The behavioral and ecological similarities between termites and wood roaches bring them close. These cockroaches live in dry timber, feeding on wood fibers, which are then digested by symbiotic micro-organisms present in their digestive systems.

In general, termites are the only hemimetabolous insects that display true social behavior. They live in communal nests that house the entire colony. Every nest will have one queen, one king, and hundreds or thousands of workers and soldiers. Like cockroaches and mantids, termites are mostly found in tropical and subtropical climates.

Drywood termites generally feed and nest in undecayed wood with a very low moisture content. Unlike subterranean termites, Drywood termites do not require any contact with the soil to live. So they are a serious threat to moveable wooden objects like furniture.

After choosing the wooden object (a male and a female) the pair finds its way into the wood to establish the nest. Then the opening through which they entered is sealed with a plug of brown cement-like material. The queen lays the first eggs in a chamber excavated behind this plug. The nymphs that hatch from these eggs start to perform the work for the colony. Queen, king, and soldiers develop from these nymphs.

Reproductive forms are let out of the nest during the swarming season through the holes made by the nymphs. On the completion of swarming these holes are again plugged in the same manner as that of the original entrance. There is a vast difference in the damage caused by drywood termites and that caused by subterranean termites. Drywood termites excavate large chambers that are connected by small tunnels. These chambers and tunnels used by the colony are kept clean. Excreta and other debris are either stored in unused chambers or cast out of the wood.

Although drywood termites attack wood products of all kinds like structural timbers, woodwork in buildings, furniture, and other wooden objects, they are usually less injurious than subterranean termites for the simple reason they are scarce in number. A typical subterranean termite colony can have fifty times the number of termites in a drywood termite colony.

A few of the most popular drywood termite species are as follows: Incisitermes minor, Cryptotermes species, Cryptotermes brevis, and Cryptotermes cavifrons. Of these the dark western drywood termite, Incisitermes minor, is the most destructive drywood termite. It can eat up any dry wooden parts of a structure from the foundation to the roof.

Drywood termites can be carried into geographical areas where they are not normally found through infested furniture. And their ability to live in wood without soil contact allows them to survive anywhere.

Although there are effective treatments for drywood termite infestations, it is wise to take preventive measures by frequently checking wooden objects for cracks or holes and painting with anti-termite paints. Chemically treated wood will also prevent drywood termites form attacking the object. Termite-resistant woods like cedar, bois d’ ark, and redwood can also be used to build termite free structures. Most popular treatment control for drywood termites are structural fumigation and localized wood treatment.

Home Pest Control

Dean Gallagher
Termitexpel.Com