Termites

For pest  control in Tacoma, Puyallup and the greater Puget Sound Region you can count on Independent Pest Solutions.

Here in the Pacific Northwest we usually deal with one of two species.  Occasionally we encounter subterranean termites but most often it is, as their name and our climate indicates the Pacific Dampwood termite. 

The Pacific Dampwood termites are seen regularly both in nature and within communities without any imminent danger.  However, given conducive conditions and opportunity they quickly settle in and are one of the primary wood destroying organisms in our region second only to carpenter ants. These termites get their name from the need for high moisture content in the wood. They are extremely common in wooded or forest environments in cooler climates. Colonies are generally small by termite standards, with several thousand workers in a mature colony.  The winged reproductives usually swarm after sundown on warm summer evenings. The reproductives may attack wood without soil contact.  Damage is indicated by large galleries that usually follow the direction of the grain.  These are the largest termites and the wings extend well past the end of the abdomen. These termites require wood with high moisture content, and controlling this excessive moisture condition will generally be effective in both preventing and repelling the termites. A local treatment with a residual insecticide injected into their galleries may be needed to kill workers still present after the moisture conditions are corrected. 

Though we are on the edge of livable habitat for the subterranean termite we do encounter them and due to their small size and subtle access to a structure they are often the least noticed until they have caused enough damage to prompt investigation.  These are the common and destructive soil-dwelling termites.  With very rare exception colonies are located in the ground, with foraging done from these colonies into structures or other wood sources via “mud tubes” often seen along the inside wall of the foundation leading up to the wooden structure itself.  It is possible that a colony can have up to two hundred thousand workers or more, and several separate colonies may exist near and be foraging in a single structure.  Control is primarily by soil applications of residual insecticides, either as pretreatments or as treatment post-construction. Termite bait products may prove to be effective in eliminating underground colonies altogether. Control of excessive moisture conditions and unnecessary wood materials under or near the structure are preventive measures.