One of the most common species of termites found in Atlanta region is drywood termites. You must have sound knowledge of this species if you want to eliminate them from your property. Call your Atlanta exterminator immediately if you notice any termite activity.

Habitat and other characteristics

The termite name usually indicates the habitat of the insect. While a subterranean termite colony will always be found underground, the drywood termite colony is usually found inside dry wood.

Drywood termites are better evolved to handle dehydration as compared to the subterranean termites. Because of their special adaptation and evolutionary advantage over subterranean termites, they easily survive and flourish terrestrially. Their need for moisture is minimal; even dry wood has sufficient moisture to sustain them. However, like subterranean termites, drywood termites are also very social creatures with high social organization and hierarchy.

Swarms of drywood termites can be seen any time of the year. A strong evidence that indicates presence of drywood termites is accumulation of loose, shed wings at the bottom of a window sill. This is a clear alarm and beginning of impending damage – as by this time, the termites would have already shed wings and burrowed into your furniture or woodwork.

A major cause of worry

While in nature, termite nests can usually be found in dead leaves, dead trees or dead sections thereof, in woodpile, or any wood which is dead; in buildings they start their attack from wooden windows and doorways. They are also commonly found in the foundations or the subterranean part under the house. Houses which have wooden sides are especially vulnerable because of the presence of numerous crevices and cracks.

Presence of termites in a wall, floor or wood is generally indicated by a pile of pellets that keep on appearing even upon wiping them out. This is termite excreta and is a certain giveaway of damaging termite activity.