What kind of termites live in California?
The 3 different species of termites found in California include:
- Drywood termites (3/8 – 1 inch long)
- Dampwood termites (1/2 – 5/8 inch long)
- Subterranean termites (1/8 inch long)
How can you tell what kind of termites you have?
Look for the most common sign – the color. Subterranean termite swarmers are solid black, drywood swarmers are solid red, while carpenter ants are usually red and black or dark brown. The other big difference is in the body. Termites all have a long body with no small segments attached.
What do Northern California termites look like?
Reproductive Pacific dampwood termites are about one-inch long, usually a yellow-ish brown color. They have wings. Soldiers are brown with dark brown or black jaws and a flat head.
What do common house termites look like?
Drywood termites are typically pale brown, but they can vary in color from light, yellowish tan to dark brown. Workers: Like subterranean termites, drywood worker termites are cream to white in color. Soldiers: These have darker, orangish-brown heads and opaque bodies.
What do sub termites look like?
Subterranean workers and soldiers are pale- or cream-colored in their bodies; however, workers have a larger head that can be orange or amber. Subterranean reproductive termites have dark-colored bodies. Drywood worker termites also have whitish bodies.
What time of day are termites most active?
Subterranean termites swarm during the day, particularly after rainfall. They’re most active in the spring. Invasive Formosan termites swarm at night and are generally at their peak in the late spring and summer. Drywood termites are also active at night, especially around lights.
What is worse drywood termites or subterranean termites?
Subterranean termites are much more dangerous because they cause more significant damage than drywood termites. Their colonies can develop up to 1 million strong. Subterranean termites have a soft white body with no eyes. They are typically no longer than a centimeter.
What’s the difference between subterranean termites and drywood termites?
Unlike subterranean termites, which build nests and tunnels for foraging out of fecal matter, drywood termites have no use for it as they only excavate tunnels in wood. They get rid of their feces by making a small hole in the wood and pushing it out of their home.
Can termites go away on their own?
While you cannot get rid of termites permanently from the environment, you can help prevent them from taking root in your home and control any active colonies nearby. Although it may be tempting to try termite control yourself, prevention and treatment is best left to the professionals.
How can you tell if you have subterranean or drywood termites?
Signs of drywood termites The common sign of a drywood termite infestation is the appearance of frass. Frass is termite waste or fecal matter. Unlike subterranean termites, which build nests and tunnels for foraging out of fecal matter, drywood termites have no use for it as they only excavate tunnels in wood.