Both drywood and subterranean termites form swarms to start new colonies, usually in spring or fall, especially near windows or lights. Termites rarely make their presence known because they devour their way through the wood’s interior rather than damage its exterior. Despite the dominance of drywoods in Southern California, said Lewis, subterraneans are far more destructive, “so if you have subterranean termites, you might want to act more quickly.”Ī little detective work is required to determine if you have an infestation. In the meantime, drywoods and subterraneans are causing enough damage. Michael Rust, a UC Riverside entomologist, said that although the Formosans aren’t headed our way yet, if the infestation spreads any further, “it could be a major problem.” In 1992, entomologists discovered Formosans in a few homes in the San Diego suburb of La Mesa. Until recently, California has escaped the wrath of a particularly aggressive and destructive species of termite, the Formosan, found mainly in Hawaii and the Southeastern U.S. ![]() Subterranean termites form nests in moist soil and tunnel underground to find wood, invading homes at cracks in the foundation or anywhere wood is in contact with soil. When not infesting a home, termites can live in utility poles, dead trees and stored lumber. They enter on sunny days, usually in late summer or fall, through vents, cracks, knotholes and exposed wood. Drywood termites, the most prevalent type in Southern California, especially in beach communities, live in attics, garages and the walls of your home, creating what termite experts call “galleries” (nests) in the wood. California has two typesdrywood and subterraneanand it’s possible to have both at the same time. So if you’ve got a termite problem in your house, or think you might, here’s some basic advice on coping with the pests:īefore choosing a control method, you first need to know what kind of termite you’re taking on. Jack Forster, president of Ecola Services, which specializes in alternative treatments, said his sales have increased 300% since 1991.īut do these methods really terminate termites?Įntomologists and pest-control operators say all the alternative methods, except heating, work best for treating small areas of infestation, such as a single wall or a room, not an entire house with extensive damage. Those options include heating, zapping with microwaves, shocking with a device called the Electro-Gun, freezing with liquid nitrogen, even spraying with living fungi.Ĭompanies offering these alternatives are reaping the benefits of catering to chemical-wary consumers. ![]() “Concerned consumers have shown much interest in nonchemical methods of pest control,” said Eric Paulsen, technical director of the pest control trade group, “so the majority of companies now offer some sort of alternative.” ![]() The good news is that homeowners have an arsenal of alternative control methods, many of them nontoxic and greatly improved during the last several years. Logan estimated that Californians spend about $1 billion on treatment each year. Homeowners’ insurance doesn’t cover termite damage, and eradicating the pests is expensive. With termites taking up residence just about everywhere, your home is a fertile feeding ground. And as more homes are built, more wood is available for termites to feast on.” “As more people move,” said Vernard Lewis, an entomologist at UC Berkeley, “they bring belongings such as wood furniture and planter boxes containing termites. Booming right along with the strong real estate market is California’s termite population.
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