Drywood Termites Found coast to coast throughout the southern regions of the U.S., Drywood termites live inside dry wood. Their colonies can be dispersed within your home and can spread, infesting more than one area.

Drywood termites are a serious problem in many areas of the world. Because they feed on dried wood, these pests are a particular concern in the arid parts of the world, including the United Arab Emirates. Akkad Pest Control is the region's leading provider of drywood termite solutions and services Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman. Read on to learn about these tenacious insects, the damage they can cause and how to protect valuable property against termite infestation.

Drywood termites may make their home in any dry, wooden material that hasn't begun to rot. Because they don't tunnel underground and don't need soil to live, drywood termites aren't limited to basements and other areas close to the ground. Quite the opposite is true; they're notorious for infesting furniture and often damage valuable antiques. Consequently, it's easier, less stressful and far less expensive to inspect and termite-proof an area before damage appears. Akkad Pest Control offers comprehensive solutions for drywood termite infestations. The most effective termite protection plan begins with a thorough inspection; our engineers thoroughly inspect each property for hard-to-spot signs of termites, and recommend strategies for eliminating any existing termites and preventing new colonies from forming.

Drywood termites produce distinctive, six-sided ovoid pellets called "frass," which are ejected from the wood in which the colony is established. Termites aren't the only pellet-producing insects, however, and those produced by several species of beetle can be difficult to distinguish from termite frass. The distinguishing feature of each frass pellet is the presence of six angular sides with rounded ends; wood pellets ejected by beetles are smoother and less angular.

Colonies of drywood termites typically contain about 10,000 individuals, making them much smaller than colonies formed by other termite species. This does not mean, however, that a drywood infestation should be ignored, or its treatment postponed; early, aggressive treatment prevents further damage to the property and discourages other termites from forming colonies there.

There are two principal types of treatment for drywood termites: fumigation and spot treatment. Spot treatments are effective at killing termites found in a very small area - for example, a recently purchased antique wooden sculpture found to contain termites. Spot treatments work quickly and are easy to apply; they're also popular because they don't render a building temporarily inhabitable due to heavy chemical fumes. However, such treatments may not be an option for valuable objects because the chemical agents are introduced to the wood through a series of holes drilled in it. The holes allow the pesticide to penetrate past the surface and reach the termites tunneling, hidden, within the wood. The chemicals used for spot treatments may be aerosols or powders. It's important to note that powders must only be used in tiny amounts, as too much powder may form plugs in the termite tubes, leaving the inner areas unaffected.

Large, serious drywood termite infestations are usually treated by the fumigating the entire building with chemicals toxic to the insects. The chemical smoke penetrates tiny termite holes and other areas unreachable by other means; this can be the only way ensure that every termite has been killed. Fumigating is a major operation that takes several days. First, the building is evacuated; then its exterior is sealed with an airtight wrap (often a series of tarps). After checking the seals, exterminators use hoses to introduce pesticide smoke to the structure; the airtight wrapping helps the smoke hang in the air and reach every nook and cranny in the floorboards, furniture, walls and ceiling. Depending on the size of the building and the severity of the infestation, the smoke may need to remain in the house for over 24 hours. Eventually, the structure is unsealed and its windows opened to expedite release of the pesticide and allow humans to return safely.

If drywood termites are found in unsealed wooden floors or beams, they may be eradicated by pouring a liquid pesticide over the area. Since the wood isn't sealed, the chemical easily penetrates it without the need to drill additional holes. Lightly varnished wood may also be eligible for spot treatment without drilling; however, the varnish must first be removed by sanding. Consequently, this method should not be used on most expensive items.

Regular termite inspections are the only way to prevent the devastation termites can quickly cause. Telephone Akkad Pest Control to schedule an inspection with one of our highly trained, experienced engineers. All of our engineers are rigorously trained in the most effective methods of termite detection and eradication. We are dedicated to understanding the latest breakthroughs in extermination science and are proud to offer these techniques to all our customers. We're dedicated to protecting our beautiful environment, too; we don't use unnecessarily harsh substances and demonstrate our commitment to ecological integrity by using the gentlest methods that will produce the desired results.

Don't wait until you see obvious signs of termite damage. Call Akkad Pest Control today to learn about all the termite prevention and eradication options available to you. Our courteous, professional staff is happy to answer your questions and address any concerns you may have. Act now to protect your investments from the ravages of termite infestation.