Dry-Wood Termites

SCIENTIFIC NAME:                  Cryptotermes Spp.

 

CLASS/ORDER/FAMILY:           Insecta / Isoptera / Kalotermitidae

​

METAMORPHOSIS:                  Simple

 

INTRODUCTION

​

These termites produce the smallest faecal pellets of all Dry-wood termites in the species. They infest relatively dry wood which has a moisture content of 12% or less. They require no ground contact as they receive desired moisture from infested wood.

 

SIGNS OF DAMAGE AND INFESTATION

​

• Dry-wood termite damage is usually identified by there faecal pellets that are hard, elongate-oval with rounded ends. Also visible alates (swarmers) and/or shed wings.

• They eat across the wood grain and make chambers and/or galleries connected by tunnels. Their gallery and tunnel walls are velvety smooth. This tunnelling almost always produces a paper sounding effect whenever the wood is rubbed slightly with fingers.

• Occasionally they may build shelter tubes of pellets cemented together to bridge over to an adjacent piece of wood.

 

RECOGNITION

​

• Alates are about 3/8 – 7/16" (10-11mm) long including wings. Head and body are dull brown.

• Soldiers’ heads are short and thick in the front surrounded by a flange. Mandibles are re-curved under front of head.

 

BIOLOGY

​

• Unlike their cousins the subterranean termites; they do not live in the ground, require no ground contact, and do not build mud tubes.

• Their colonies are located in the wood they eat and are of small size when compared to subterranean termite colonies.

• There is no worker caste and the immatures / nymphs perform all tasks typically done by workers. It takes at least 5 years for a colony to mature, at which time it produces its first alates (swarmers).

 

HABITS

​

• Swarming Dry-wood termites fly into structures and infest wood directly.

• They typically first infest exposed wood such as window/door frames, trim, eaves. attics, etc.

• When swarming, they usually re-infest the same structure. Multiple colonies are often found in a structure or Single infestation site.

• However, they are often distributed by human activity, commonly by transporting infested furniture, picture frames, and wood to new areas.

 

CONTROL

Treatments are to be done by trained professional

 

• If any of the signs of damage / infestation are seen. Contact Rehoboth Ltd immediately 627 -0130 for FREE consultation to determine entry points and levels of infestation.

• Since infestation is direct and not via the ground, the most successful methods of control are fumigation, or local treatment or replacement of the infested wood.

• local treatment with pesticides or other means is prudent where infestations are accessible, isolated and confined to a piece of furniture, picture frame, etc.

• Localised infestations may be treated via injection or surface treatment with pesticides which are labelled for these termites.