Different Types of Termites in Arizona

Living in Arizona means enjoying the state’s beautiful desert landscapes and sunny climate. However, those conditions also attract a pest that can damage your home – termites. Three main Arizona termite species, and it’s important for homeowners to learn how to identify them and prevent destructive infestations.

This guide covers everything you need to know about the types of termites in Arizona, signs of infestations, DIY treatments, and professional pest control solutions for protecting your property.

Common Types of Termites in Arizona

The three most common termite species found in Arizona are:

1. Subterranean termites
2. Drywood termites
3. Dampwood termites

While all termites feed on wood, each species has different characteristics and behavior. Understanding the differences will help Arizonans detect and treat termite problems.

1. Subterranean Termites in Arizona

Subterranean termites are the most common type of termite across the state of Arizona. As the name implies, subterranean termites live underground and tunnel into your home from external nests in the soil.

There are two main subspecies of subterranean termites found in Arizona:

• Arid-land subterranean termites – Also known as Arid subterranean termites, these are highly adaptable to Arizona’s desert climate and arid conditions
• Western subterranean termites – Not as drought-tolerant as the arid-land variety, but still can thrive in certain Arizona regions

A few signs of a subterranean termite infestation include:

• Mud tubes – Subterranean termites build narrow mud tubes to travel between their underground nest and food source. Look for these tube “highways” on foundation walls or other wood structures.
• Swarmers – The winged reproductive members of the colony, swarmers emerge inside via mud tubes. Seeing winged termites inside means the nest is on your property.
• Structural damage – Wood showing bubbled or blistered paint, rotting areas, or sagging. Tap wood with a hammer and listen for a “hollow” sound indicating interior damage.

Subterranean Termite Colonies and Behavior

Subterranean termites are social colony insects like ants, with each colony containing hundreds to thousands of members. The majority are workers that spend most of their time searching for cellulose-rich sources of food, like wood from trees and buildings.

One subspecies found here are the desert subterranean termites. As their name states, these termites thrive in our arid desert environments.

Other specialized termite castes in subterranean colonies include:

• Soldiers – Distinctively large heads to defend the colony from threats
• Reproductives – Also called alates, these winged males and females break off to form new colonies
• The queen – An egg-laying machine, she can produce thousands of eggs per day

Worker termites make up the foraging force that causes damage to Arizona homes and businesses. Attracted to wood cellulose, the workers carve intricate honeycomb-like tunnels and galleries deep within wooden structures as they feed.

Meanwhile, other workers and soldiers spend their time maintaining and expanding the primary underground nest. Foraging workers create special chambers of chewed wood fibers, saliva, and feces called carton nests within soil near the central colony.

The workers must maintain constant contact with this colony’s members and carton nests – otherwise, they risk drying out and dying in Arizona’s arid desert environment. That’s why they construct distinctive mud tubes everywhere as moisture-sealed highways across dry wooden surfaces.

If the colony has found a sufficient food source, this cycle of nest building, feeding, and expansion can go on for years while homeowners remain unaware of the growing infestation within walls and wood framing. Since subterranean termites need ground contact, they pose a high risk to homes with wood or foam board insulation in direct contact with the soil.

Some common signs of their presence include mud tubes attached to foundations, hollow wood damaged by feeding activity, dropping wings from swarmers on windowsills or within the home, and the emergence of alates during spring mating flights.

2. Drywood Termites in Arizona

Drywood termites do not require any contact with soil and do not build mud tubes or tunnels. As their name suggests, drywood termites tunnnel and nest directly within wooden material at very low moisture levels.

The most common drywood termite species in Arizona are the western drywood termite (Incisitermes minor). They thrive in Arizona’s hot and arid climate, feasting on the abundant supply of wood in structures.

Signs of a drywood termite infestation include:

• Tiny fecal pellets the size of coffee grounds accumulating on floors or window sills
• The buzzing/tapping sound of termites in walls and wood trim
• Jagged tunnels following wood grain

Adult drywood termites reach about 3/8 inch (10 mm) long and have a brown to black body and opaque wings. Newly emerged reproductive swarmers are attracted to light and can emerge within homes through small cracks in wood surfaces. Homeowners may spot these winged ants crawling up walls or gathering at windows.

Unlike subterranean termites, drywood termites form smaller colonies started by an alate pair finding a suitable dry crevice within a wood product. Populations may only range from 60 to a few thousand members.

But while their colonies are smaller, their wood feeding and destruction creates unique peppered and pock-marked patterns deep within structural timbers and wooden artifacts. Plus they can chew into woodwork to emerge and release feces as they scatter in search of mates and new nesting sites.

So if you find coffee-ground like pellets, little piles of wings, or tunneling damage within attic rafters, wall supports or other dry wood within Arizona homes – there’s a good chance you have an active drywood termite infestation at hand even without seeing the insects themselves.

3. Dampwood Termites in Arizona

The third category are dampwood termites. As the name suggests, this species prefers moist, decaying wood and are not likely to infest finished lumber or live trees.

A category called desert dampwood termites consumes rotting cactus limbs and other arid vegetation.

Dampwood termites attack wood with moisture content above 20%, such as:

• Deadwood from tree stumps and fallen branches
• Exterior timbers in contact with soil like fence posts
• Structural wood exposed to water leaks or condensation

Signs of dampwood termites include:

• Soft, wet sections of wood with tunnels
• Presence of mosquito-looking “swarmers”

Of the three types, dampwood termites pose the lowest risk to Arizona homes and properties in terms of structural damage. But they still can destroy wooden outdoor fixtures and invade materials kept in moist basements or crawlspaces.

Termite Prevention Tips for Arizona Homes

Now that you know what termites look like and how to spot signs of the three infesting species, here are some DIY methods for preventing termites from entering and causing costly destruction in Arizona homes:

Remove Excess Mulch and Debris:

Pile up brush, mulch, scrap piles of wood, and dead tree limbs away from your home’s foundation. Subterranean termites especially use this type of cellulose debris to bridge the gap between their underground colonies and your home.

Fix Plumbing Leaks:

Dampwood termites love sources of excessive moisture, such as from chronic plumbing leaks, bent rain gutters, or condensation build-up. Fix such damp areas and leaks to discourage their colonization.

Ventilate Crawl Spaces:

Make sure crawl spaces underneath your home have adequate ventilation and circulation to discourage damp conditions. Vapor barrier sheeting over exposed dirt can also reduce moisture that attracts termites and leads to wood rot.

Trim Vegetation Near Home:

Trees and shrubs in contact with your Arizona home’s walls or roof provide easy access for termites to enter and begin feeding on vulnerable wood trim or roof rafters. Professional termite inspectors suggest at least an 18 inch vegetation gap around all sides.

Beyond these DIY measures for making your home less hospitable to termites, you can also consider:

Termite Bait Systems

Termite baiting rigs are trays, probe, or cartridges place underground around high-risk zones that contain non-toxic bait very attractive to termites. After termites start regularly feeding on these stations, they are then swapped out with pesticide-laced bait to eliminate that colony. Compared to liquid barrier treatments, baits use less concentrated chemical and minimizes exposure to home residents.

Liquid Barrier Treatments

Traditional barrier treatments involve digging a shallow trench around the home’s foundation walls and pumping the cavity with repellent and termite-killing solutions. However, liquid barrier treatments do require specialized equipment, mix ratios, and injections to saturate soil properly. Some homeowners

Identifying Termite Activity in Arizona Homes

Even with diligent prevention methods, termites may still find ways to invade Arizona homes in search of wood to consume. Catching activity early is key to limiting damage, so homeowners should regularly inspect the interior and exterior of their properties for any signs of termites.

Here are the top signs that may indicate termite activity within or around your home:

Swarming Reproductive Termites

Seeing winged “swarmers” emerging within your home is a sure sign termites have nested in wood structures and are sending out reproductive members to expand. Swarming events involving dozens to hundreds of flying termites typically happen in spring, with alates gathering near windows on walls. Their discarded wings may also pile up along baseboards and window sills. If you spot swarmers, inspect further to find the originating colony.

Mud Tubes Along Foundations

Long mud tubes approximately 1/4- to 1/2-inch wide running vertically over cinder blocks or concrete stem walls likely lead back a subterranean termite colony nestled underground. Termite workers constantly travel back and forth within these enclosed mud highways to bring food and moisture back their underground nest. Exposed, straight mud tubes extending from soil to wood structures confirm subterranean termites.

Wood Damage

Carefully check for signs of termite chewing activity, such as tiny holes following wood grain on trim boards, support posts, or attic beams. Tap exposed wood with the handle of screwdriver, and listen for a hollow, papery thin sound indicating extensive interior damage. Use an awl probe or knife to poke into damaged areas and gauge how deep termite galleries penetrate the wood structure.

Discarded Wings

The sudden appearance of brown, quarter inch-long insect wings in piles along walls, by light fixtures, or caught in spider webs likely come from swarming drywood or dampwood termites. Homeowners may never spot the termites themselves within wall voids, but the presence of such discarded wings means a colony has matured nearby and is now releasing reproductives. Since just two such termites can mate and start a new infestation, investigate damage further when spotting these warning signs.

Carefully inspecting interior and exterior wood for early signs of termites is key for Arizona homeowners wanting to limit damage. Don’t ignore these warning signs, or small colonies may expand into major household infestations. If unsure how to check properly or safely treat termite activity found, contact a pest management professional right away.

DIY vs Professional Termite Control in Arizona

Once termites are confirmed as actively damaging wood within an Arizona home, effective treatment is necessary before populations explode and create extensive repairs.

Homeowners have a couple options for termite elimination and prevention methods – either attempt do-it-yourself (DIY) treatment or hire a professional pest control company. Consider the pros and cons of each approach when deciding the best termite solution for your situation.

DIY Termite Treatment

Several termite treatment products are available in Arizona for homeowners wanting to tackle the project without paying commercial pest control prices. These range from baits to liquid concentrates applied as perimeter barrier treatments around the home’s foundation.

The main advantages of DIY termite control include:

• Lower upfront costs for materials/ingredients
• Avoiding service appointment scheduling hassles
• Greater control over application locations

However, there are also disadvantages to watch out for with handling termite treatments on your own:

• Requires handling concentrated chemicals – safety risks if not applied properly
• Barrier and spot treatments less effective than soil fumigation by pros
• Termites often quickly find untreated gaps and continue damage
• Does not come with any warranties or guarantees

So while DIY kits may seem like an affordable and convenient option, they come with responsibility for researching and perfectly administering solutions. Without sufficient experience, missed areas of application commonly lead to failed treatments and continued expensive termite damage.

Professional Termite Extermination Services

Hiring a professional Arizona pest control company offers homeowners thorough termite assessments, industry leading treatments, and continued protections against future invasions. Qualified termite experts know how to track activity back to origin colonies and eliminate them through a variety of advanced methods.

Benefits of professional termite control typically include:

• In-depth inspection to gauge the extent of infestation and required treatments
• Full site assessment to eliminate all current termite threats
• $1 million liability insurance guarantees and warranties
• Ongoing monitoring and treatments for long-term prevention
• Access to termiticides and application methods home DIY products can’t match

The downside to enlisting local Arizona pest control companies is the larger upfront investment for their comprehensive assessments, high-grade termiticides, and skilled labor. However, paying more for guaranteed elimination and lasting defenses often saves money in the long run when dealing with termite damage.

Get better peace of mind when considering spring termite swarming risks or reacting to discovered wood damage by contacting professional exterminators familiar with regional termite threats. Their inspection reports help uncover the full scope of dangers on your property along with tailored solutions.

Protect Your Arizona Home from Termites

Arizona’s hot climate and abundant wood buildings create prime conditions attracting hungry termites constantly on the search for their next meal. Knowing what species reside in the state, what warning signs indicate active infestations, and your control options gives homeowners a better chance to defend their properties.

Guard against termites using these key takeaways:

• Apply prevention measures like fixing moisture issues and removing wood debris around your home’s foundation
• Inspect regularly for signs like swarmers, mud tubes on walls, and damaged wood
• Consider both DIY and professional termite treatment methods
• Act promptly at the first signs of termites before damage spreads

Defending your valuable Arizona home or business against termite invasion requires diligence and quick response when spotting evidence of their presence. But investing in assessments and removal now prevents exponentially grow threats down the road. Don’t become the next victim of collapsing drywall, unsafe structures, or other serious property damages – act now to evict wood-destroying termites!