PEST INSPECTIONS

• Shed wings
• Ejected pellets
• Galleries inside wood are typical signs of a dry wood termite infestation.
• Finding swarmers indoors

Because of their ability to live in wood without soil contact, dry wood termites and powder post beetles, are frequently carried in infested furniture and other wooden objects into geographical areas where they are not normally found.

Generally speaking, Subterranean termites are found at or near ground level. However, they can occur above the first floor in warmer areas or if there is a moisture problem from the roof, or from plumbing.Termite infestations and damage is traditionally found by probing wood with a screwdriver, or knife. The inspections start with the exterior and interior surfaces of the foundation, particularly construction where wood is on or near the soil.

During the inspection, the technician will look for mud tubes and the activity of swarmers.

Mud Tunnels (tubes) are created by Subterranean Termites out of soil, wood particles, fecal material and saliva. Tunnels are pencil-sized, and they connect the termite nest to their food source (wood). It helps protect termites from predators and dry environments while traveling within their territories These tubes are proof of termite infestation, but their absence does not necessarily mean that a structure is free of termites. This is because these insects may reach sills and other wood members through cracks or voids in the foundation wall, under the outside stucco, or from earth-filled porches, steps, terraces, or patios.

To verify that you have an active tube, you can break it open to determine if termites are still active inside. Damaged tubes are often repaired while old tubes are dry and crumble easily.

• Piles of wings: The shed wings of swarmers indicate termites have entered their next phase of development.
• Live termites: Reproductive kings and queens are 1/2″ long, winged and black or brown in color. Workers are sterile and usually hidden within infested wood. They are 1/4″ long, wingless and white..
• Buckling paint or tiny holes on the wood.
• Damaged wood: Wood may appear crushed at structural bearing points. Termite damaged wood resonates with a hollow sound when tapped with a hammer. Pick and probe the surface of an infested piece of wood and you will find tunnels running parallel to the wood’s grain.

Note the differences at the boundaries of the Heads, Thoraxes and Abdomen , also note the antenae

Homes in the Sacramento area are also susceptible to wood boring beetle infestations. These beetles are commonly found in areas of high moisture contact with wood. In many cases, substructure framing in crawl spaces with poor ventilation may lead to beetle infestations. The amount of damage from wood boring beetles may vary based on the species of beetle; however, in all cases the damage will weaken structural timbers.This damage results primarily from the feeding activities of the beetle larvae as they reduce timbers to a”powdery” dust.

You can easily recognize the work of powder post beetles. When the adults emerge, usually in June, some species leave small holes about the size of a pin in the surface of the wood; others make holes the size of pencil lead. From these holes, fine, powder like brood of larvae(woodworm) carry on their destructive feeding. Normally, these insects have a 1-year life cycle; this means that the adults will appear only once each year. And because of this habit the larvae have a feeding period of many months.