There are an estimated 4,000 species of termites but it is believed only 10% of those species can actually be considered pests because of the damage they cause to buildings and crops. There are three species of pest termites in California; the drywood, the dampwood and the subterranean. Below I’ll point out the differences between the drywood termite and the subterranean termite.

Drywood termites are most often seen in southern California but they can also be found along the coast; these termites wont be found in regions where the temperature drops below freezing. Here are some basic facts about the drywood termite.

• Difficult to detect -  these termites live deep inside wood and typically aren’t seen until there’s a swarm
• Their colonies are small…usually less than 1,000
• Unlike other species of termites, drywoods do not need contact with the soil to survive
• They can tolerate long periods of dry conditions
• These termites will consume wood from framing, furniture, structural timbers and even hardwood floors

Because drywood termites are difficult to detect and can cause significant damage, do-it-yourself treatment is not recommended. Seek help from a professional termite control company if you think you may have a drywood termite infestation.

The subterranean termite is another species of the insect that can be found throughout the state. These termites can tolerate cooler temperatures than the drywood termites so naturally they are found more often around the United States. While still a species of termite, the subterranean is very different from the drywood termite (other than their love for wood). Below is some information about the subterranean termite.

• Subterranean termites are noticeably smaller than drywood termites
• These termites require a moist environment…they can often be found near the soil and in wood that is rotten
• They often damage structural supports and foundations
• Alaska is the only state where subterranean termites are not found
• The colonies of these termites are much larger than drywood termite colonies

The subterranean is the most destructive of any termite found in California. Once again, please contact a professional when a termite problem is suspected.

Did you know termites are considered social insects? There is a definite hierarchy with termites and each termite knows its role within the colony.

With flowers and warmer weather usually brings spring swarmers, also known as flying termites. There are two species of termites in Southern California that are often classified as swarmers, they include:

• Drywood termites (see pic to the left)
• Subterranean termites (see below)

Both drywood termites and subterranean termites usually do most of their damage with out directly bothering humans or even being seen, but this isn’t the case during the spring. Once a year, both species will send out winged termites called alates. Unlike most termites, these special winged termites are created just to reproduce and expand the colony.

What to do? The alates don’t cause damage themselves but if left alone, the colony could create can a problem when the pests start looking for food. The most effective way to protect your home from these pests is to hire a professional pest control company, someone who can both inspect, find the source and treat the problem.

It’s important to note that while you may see swarmers in your yard, it doesn’t mean they are coming from your house. The swarmers could be coming from an old tree or other dead plant material; it’s still advisable to get a complete inspection.