How to Get Rid of Drywood Termites

Drywood Termites are 3/16 to 1/2-inch-long creatures of mass destruction. They’re not particular about what kind of wood they go after. Structural timbers, inside decorative woodwork, and wooden furniture are all fair game as far as they’re concerned. Drywood termite infestations can cause severe damage to buildings and anything else made of wood.

Drywood Termite Treatment

The good news is, unlike other types of termites, drywood termites tend to have smaller colonies and, if caught quickly enough, can be stopped with relative ease. Homeowners can treat mild infestations without needing to hire an exterminator.

If you have a drywood termite infestation, there are three commonly used methods of drywood termite treatment that can be used to get rid of them. You can find chemical treatments for sale online, or you can check your local hardware or home improvement store for something you can use.

DIY Termite Treatment Methods

Remove Infested Wood by Hand

If you have a small localized infestation that is easily accessible, its best to remove the piece of wood by hand and replace it with a new non-infested wood piece. Replacing the wood saves you the cost of chemical agents and is more environmentally friendly. It’s also a safer method of getting rid of the infestation if you live in a house with animals or small children.

Spot-Wood Termite Treatment

Spot wood treatments is a type of drywood termite treatment that involves drilling holes into infested wood and forcing insecticide into the holes directly into the termite nesting area.

There are a variety of different insecticides you can use, and they come in the forms of powders, gels, foams, and aerosols. Some companies also sell spot treatment kits. Follow the steps below for effective spot- wood treatment.

• Step 1- Drill holes into wood roughly 9” apart using a 3/16” drill bit. You will know you’ve reached the termite nesting area when you feel the wood’s resistance lessen.
• Step 2– Inject insecticide according to the product directions
• Step 3– Seal the holes using a wood patch or carpenter putty.

Treat Unfinished/Unsealed Wood with Bora-Care

Bora-Care is a product you can use to treat unfinished/unsealed wood. Not only does Bora-Care kill existing termite infestations, but it also prevents new infestations. It can be used with a foaming agent and applied as a foam where there are spaces in the wall; it can be sprayed with a hand-pump sprayer, or painted onto the wood. To use Bora-Care effectively follow these steps.

• Step 1- If the wood has been finished sand off the finish before applying Bora-Care
• Step 2-Make a Bora-Care solution of equal parts Bora-Care and water for infested wood (you can also pretreat wood by using a solution of 1-part Bora-Care and 5-parts water as a preventative measure)
• Step 3- Apply the solution according to your preferred method paying attention to specific product instructions. Two coats of the Bora-Care solution is the recommended treatment amount for general use.

When to Seek Out Professional Fumigation Services

For more severe drywood termite infestations, you may need to call a professional pest control company. If you have tried one or more of the above solutions and you still are finding signs of termite damage, chances are the infestation is more severe than you thought. In such cases, full structural fumigation may be necessary.

On average, the cost of professional drywood termite treatment is between $500 and $2,000. It varies by company and depends on the size of the house. For drywood termites, exterminators must use a tent fumigation method. The entire fumigation process can take between 24 and 72 hours, depending on weather conditions and the size of the infested house.

Tent fumigation consists of covering the entire house with a special tent made of a material called tarpaulin. The tent keeps the gas contained in the house and reduces leakage of the gas. It is secured to the ground using sand and special pins to keep the tent in place during the process.

Once the tent is secured and all safety checks completed, a licensed professional will begin the fumigation process. The fumigator releases the gas into the infested area until it reaches the proper concentration level. The correct concentration level varies depending on the size of the building. Trained professionals within the company make the calculations based on specific standards.

Conclusion

Drywood Termites may be little bugs, but they can cause significant problems for homeowners. The good news is when caught early enough, it’s easy to get rid of them on your own without having to call in the “big guns.” If you know that Drywood Termites live in your area, it’s a good idea to routinely check for signs of possible infestation and take action at once if you notice anything. The faster you catch it the easier it is to stop it.