And What to Do About Them

One of the most infamous and feared pests for any property owner is the termite. These tiny little insects can cause thousands and thousands of dollars in damage at properties across Hawaii and the country. Whether you’re a homeowner or a business owner, termites in Oahu are one of the last things you want to deal with. Educating yourself about this destructive pest, how to prevent an infestation, and how to deal with one is crucial. At Sandwich Isle Pest Solutions, we’re experts in termites and want to share our knowledge to help you defend yourself and your property.

All About Termites

Termites in Hawaii typically fall into two categories: subterranean and drywood. Both types can cause thousands in damages to your property so its important to understand how they operate.

Subterranean Termites

These types of termites in Oahu build colonies underground and leave to find food to sustain it. Within the colony exists a caste system typically composed of workers, soldiers, and swarmers – each having a specific function.

Workers – Workers are small and opaque living their entire lives in the tunnels built to travel to food sources. Their job is to separate wood and other cellulose from the source, so these are the ones you’ll find in infested wood.
Soldiers – Soldiers protect the colony from threats. If one of their tubes is breached, they surround the opening to fight off intruders.
Swarmers – Swarmers are the only winged termites and eventually become reproducers for the colony. These members of the caste lose their wings after finding a mate and then become either the king or queen of a new colony.

These kinds of termites are the most destructive of any termite species. They build tunnels, known as mud tubes, branching off from the colony so that they can find food sources while remaining protected from open air which means they enter your home from below. These little pests devour wood 24/7 and over time can cause total collapse of structures. They typically set up colonies near buildings, so if you have an infestation, it’s likely that they’re calling your yard their home.

Drywood termites

This type of termites also builds a colony that consists of workers, soldiers, and swarmers but one of the big differences is that they don’t need moisture to thrive. Therefore, it’s likely that you’ll find drywood termites above ground. They enter your home by flying in and can remain undetected for years. This species also eats cellulose found in wood and other plants, however they eat across the grain and destroy both softwood and hardwood.

Either type of termite can be detrimental to your property, so keeping an eye out for signs of infestation and acting quickly is critical

Signs of a Termite Infestation

Since California mice are on the smaller side and because they’re so good at staying out of sight, it might take a while for you to realize you have a pest problem. Here are some common signs of infestation that you might see:

Droppings – Termite waste can resemble coffee grounds or sawdust.
Swarms – If you see discarded wings or dead termites, those are surefire signs of a recent swarm.
Damaged wood – Hollowed out or damaged wood can be signs of a termite infestation. Also keep a lookout for blistering in wood around your home, which can be signs of termites feeding in the interior of it.
Mud tubes – Mud tubes are typically the width of a drinking straw. If you spot any in or around your property, you have a problem.

Termites need nothing more than a thin crack to get inside your home or business. Once they’re in, they can feed undetected for a very long time causing a great deal of damage. A well-organized termite colony can have more than a million hungry workers consuming over 100 pounds of wood per year.

Handling Termites

There are a variety of things that property owners can do for existing structures to reduce the risk of a termite infestation.

Reduce soil-to-wood contact around your home or business.
Do not store lumber, wood, paper, cardboard or mulch around the foundation.
Ensure effective drainage to reduce overly moist soil.
Turn off outdoor lights during swarming season.
Fix leaky faucets or outdoor spigots.

However, despite your best efforts of prevention the possibility of a termite infestation still exists. Preventing termites in Hawaii with professional services is the way to go. At Sandwich Isle, we offer a range of preventative services to help deal with the different termite species. Attacking them where they live before they can attack where you live is key. Our targeted pest control services help to eliminate the threat of termites in Oahu and beyond.