Before you start termite treatment you need to know the exact termite that causing damages. For Singaporean one of the famous termite types is Dampwood termite. It is common to find cases caused by this termite in Singapore. For that purpose, this article will explain this type of termite. Read on and learn more about the termite.
Appearance
This type of termite is larger than the Drywood and the Subterranean termites. The length of this termites can ranger from over 1/3 inch to 1/2 inch long. They have a large head with mandibles (pincers) on the front. The swarmers can reach 25 mm long including their wings. The soldiers and the immature termite can reach to 20 mm long.
Behavior, Diet & Habits
The Dampwood termites live in the damp, sometimes decaying wood for their colonies. They do not typically nest in the soil, they live in the wood, fence post, rotten eaves, or wood siding in contact with the ground. The moisture of the wood is important for the termite to live in. This termite also highly associated with decaying wood.
They eat decaying wood and other cellulose material in homes, including furniture, dying trees, and utility poles. Every wood which has high moisture content will be their food source. Most of the time the infested wood that has been consumed by this termites looks fine on the outside, but when you open it there will be visible damage.
They also use their fecal pellets as the seal for the galleries where they live from the outside air. The fecal pellet may fall to the bottom of the gallery if the wood is fairly dry, on the other hand, if the wood is very damp the fecal pellet will stick to the sides of the galleries.
As there is no worker in the colony of Dampwood termites, the work of the termites’ colony is performed by soldier or reproductive. They tend to swarm in small numbers several times over a years. The swarmer is produced for mating and starting new colonies.
Prevention tips
Reducting moisture is the best prevention. You can do it by repairing leaks on plumbing and structure, increase ventilation, make sure all drains are working properly and minimize the contact between the foundation and soil. If you have sprinkler system, make sure that the water wont wet your foundation. Replacing the damaged wood with treated wood is also one of the options.
If you have crawl space under your house, make sure to clean it up. If you happen to have wooden old unused furniture on your crawl space, it can attract Dampwood termite and also subterranean termite. Also, clear up branches or trees limb that might touch your roofing, and make sure to clean or repair your guther and damaged roof shingles.
That is all I could explain, for more information you can contact FUMIDA termite control service to get affordable and high-quality termites treatment services, along with expert consultation for your termite problems. I wish this article is useful for you and gives you enough description of the particular termite. Thank you.