Drywood termites live deep inside wood. They are cryptic insects that are rarely seen, except during periods when their winged reproductive caste swarms – the fall is prime time – or when repair work performed on infested homes exposes them.

These termites are patient adversaries. It can take years – five to seven, in some cases – for a drywood termite colony to fully mature. This makes the need for a professional termite inspection paramount.

Drywood termite hot spots

Drywood termites will infest areas of a home not usually visited or observed – attics, under eaves and overhangs, and along the roofline. Because they are seldom seen, it’s important to have your home inspected at no charge by a licensed Clark Pest Control inspector. This termite inspection is part of Clark’s home wellness initiative for both new and existing customers. You can read more about the program below.

During the inspection, Clark inspectors will look for feeding damage, shed wings, fecal pellets, and kick-out holes (small holes that are less than two millimeters in diameter) through which drywood termites push fecal pellets out of the wood.

Following the inspection, a report will be prepared and shared that analyzes the findings and assesses whether treatment is needed, and what kind of treatment plan will deliver the best results for your home.

Drywood termites are found mostly along California’s coastline and sometimes in the Central Valley. They are not to be confused with the larger dampwood termite species, which are also found in the cooler and more humid areas of California’s central and northern coast. They will colonize in attics and locate their colonies in wood with more favorable temperatures, such as ceiling joists that have bottom sides cooled by an air conditioner below.

Areas of a home that are most susceptible to drywood termites include:

• Wood siding and wooden roof shingles
• Wood framing and supports in attics
• Wood molding and framing around windows and doors
• Eaves and overhangs
• Unprotected joints or crevices in and around doors

To better protect homes from termites and other destructive pests, Clark, your friendly pest, termite, mosquito, and rodent control expert, has taken the idea of termite inspections a step further by offering home wellness inspections for new and existing customers. The home wellness inspection not only looks for drywood and subterranean termites, but also for rodent entry points and vulnerabilities and the health of the insulation in your home.

You can also ask for more information on Clark Pest Control’s exclusive Termite Infestation Protection (T.I.P.) program, which is designed to protect your home from future infestations and damage caused by all species of termites.

Call or text California’s trusted, friendly drywood termite control expert at (800) WE-NEED-YOU (936-3339) or email us at clarkcares@clarkpest.com to schedule your home wellness inspection and defuse the termite threat.

Until next time, the pest management professionals at Clark Pest Control thank you for helping to keep unwanted pests out of your home and yard.