The powderpost termite, or Cryptotermes species of termite, is a unique termite that thrives here in California. Due to the powderpost termite’s unique ability to thrive on very few resources, they can easily survive in an entirely wooden habitat. Let’s take a look at the ideal powderpost termite habitat, so we can better understand how to avoid their infestation, and how to control these termites once they’ve entered a home. As always, if you encounter an infestation, and you live here in Los Angeles, San Diego, or Orange County, you can count on Hi-Tech Termite Control to rid your home of pesky termites.
The powderpost termite favors rather dry wood, and it does not require access to mud or water. Let’s identify the type of wood that powderpost termites seek out, and let’s note the powderpost termite’s unique independence from water and mud.
Dry Wood
Powderpost termites migrate to dry wood sources, and they thrive in coastal regions here in America. Drier woods ensure that powderpost termites have a food source, and they can carve out a system of tunnels to call home. Powderpost termites live in timber that has less than a 12 percent concentration of water. If you have
dry wood structures throughout your home — or even in your furniture — you could be providing the ideal home for powderpost termites.
Powderpost Termites Don’t Rely on Mud
Powderpost termites, unlike several other termite species, don’t rely on other sources of water or mud. They can subsist solely on dry wood material, and they consume sufficient amounts of water from the wood itself. In addition, they do not rely on mud tunnels to provide a route to food or water. Again, they can thrive solely off of dry wood.
Indications of a Powderpost Infestation
Powderpost termites gain their infamous name due to the powder-like substance they leave behind. Up close, powderpost termite droppings are actually small hard pellets. Powderpost termites don’t leave many holes to the exterior world within their structure (in fact, they can seal holes that they create), so it may be difficult to identify a powderpost termite infestation until the colony has become quite large.
Treating for Powderpost Termites
If you note a powderpost termite infestation, it’s time to act; powderpost termites can weaken your home’s structure, and they can destroy furniture and property. Give us a call here at Hi-Tech Termite Control of Southern California. We provide termite inspections, exterminations, and protection services. You can learn more about our microwave treatments (a unique alternative to tenting and fumigation), or get started by getting in touch with a Hi-Tech Termite Control representative. We provide termite control solutions for folks throughout Los Angeles, San Diego, and Orange County.