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Size: |
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Nymphs are up to 3/4 inch (20mm) long, swarmers up to 1 inch (25mm) long and soldiers may be up to 3/4 inch (13-20) mm long. |
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Characteristics: |
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Larger than other termites in the United States. Termites in these three families listed above vary in appearance, but are in the same habitat group. |
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Droppings: |
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Oval shaped pellets of about 1/32 inch (1mm) that usually stick to the sides of the galleries, often forming clumps, and may be the same color as the wood being eaten. May be round or sphere shaped if wood is very moist. Pellets of the Desert Dampwood Termite are cone shaped. |
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Where Found: |
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In the Pacific and adjacent states of the U.S., the desert or semi-arid southwest, and southern Florida. |
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Comparison: |
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The three families that represent this Dampwood Termite habitat group contain species of varying appearance. Almost all are larger than the Eastern/Western/Desert Subterranean Termites, nymphs being up to 3/4 in (20mm) long, and swarmers up to 1 in (25 mm) long including wings. |
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Nest: |
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Damp, sometimes decaying wood, such as logs, stumps and dead trees that are still standing. One species is found in the dead limbs of living trees. Move into buildings where wood is in contact with the ground, or where there is a leaky pipe or other source of continual moisture. |
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Food: |
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They live within their food source- wood. |
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Biology: |
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Not subterranean and do not require contact with damp ground (except for Desert Dampwood Termites), but do need damp wood such as that in contact with the ground or constant moisture. Do not usually burrow in soil. Swarming time varies depending on the family. Swarmers excavate a chamber in wood, enter, seal it off, mate, and the female (queen) lays eggs. There is no worker caste; immatures do the work. |
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Damage: |
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Eat across the grain of wood, through both spring and summer, making chambers and galleries, and the tunnels that connect them. Walls are smooth and galleries free of soil, except that in moist conditions droppings may stick to the gallery walls. In dry conditions droppings accumulate at bottom or are expelled. Pellets are used to seal off galleries. |
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Invasion: |
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From decaying wood outdoors, during swarming time. |
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Control: |
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Wood Destroying Organism control requires inspection of the structure by a registered company and state licensed inspector to find and identify conditions. A written report will be issued. This report must list findings and appropriate recommendations as per the rules and regulations established by the regulatory agencies in the various States. Consult with you local office for the requirements that effect your structure.
Check for moisture conditions and decaying wood. Control of this termite species involves moisture control and correction of poor building conditions. Usually they are associated with decaying wood as they require a high moisture content to survive. Pesticide application is not necessary in most situations involving this species of termite. Recommendations for replacement of damaged wood members should also include recommendations for correction of the conditions that created the problem. |
