How To Get Rid Of Drywood Termites
Getting rid of drywood termites on your own is extremely challenging, but not impossible if the infestation is small and localized. Unlike subterranean termites, drywood termites live entirely inside dry wood, without needing contact with soil. Because these termites hide deep within structural timber, furniture, and framing, most DIY treatments are limited in scope and effectiveness. However, homeowners and business owners can attempt the following methods to manage minor infestations:
Identify All Infested Areas
Carefully inspect wooden structures, trim, furniture, and window frames for signs of infestation, such as:
Small piles of dry, pellet-like frass (termite droppings)
Tiny exit holes in wood surfaces
Blistered or hollow-sounding wood
Discarded wings near windows or light fixtures
Use a screwdriver or small tool to gently tap or probe wood — a hollow sound often indicates termite activity inside.
Apply Spot Treatments
For localized infestations, targeted treatments can help reduce termite numbers:
Boron-based wood treatments (e.g., Bora-Care, Tim-bor): Apply to exposed wood surfaces, wall voids, and attics. These products penetrate the wood, killing termites and preventing re-infestation.
Termiticidal foams or aerosols: Products containing imidacloprid or fipronil can be injected directly into termite galleries or kick-out holes using a specialized injector tip.
Essential oil-based sprays (orange oil or neem oil): These are less toxic alternatives that may kill termites on contact when applied inside infested wood, but they have limited reach and effectiveness.
Reduce Conditions Favoring Infestation
Drywood termites thrive in dry, untreated, or sun-exposed wood. Take these steps to make your property less inviting:
Seal cracks, joints, and wood-to-wood connections to prevent termite entry.
Paint or varnish exposed wood surfaces to create a protective barrier.
Store firewood and lumber away from structures and off the ground.
Maintain low humidity indoors — dry conditions can slow termite development.
Use Heat or Cold Treatments (for Small Items)
For furniture or isolated wood pieces:
Heat treatment: Expose the item to temperatures of 120–130°F for at least 35–60 minutes to kill all stages of termites.
Cold treatment: Freeze small wooden objects at below 0°F for at least 48 hours to eliminate active colonies.
These methods only work for removable items and not for structural infestations.
Monitor and Re-Treat
After applying treatments, regularly inspect for new frass or activity. Reapply foams or borate solutions as needed. Place termite detection monitors around suspect areas to track future activity.
While these methods can help with minor or surface-level infestations, DIY efforts rarely reach deep colony chambers hidden within walls, beams, or attics. Termites can survive and spread undetected, leading to severe structural damage over time.
If the infestation affects multiple rooms, structural timbers, or inaccessible areas, our professional termite control — particularly whole-structure fumigation — is the only way to ensure complete eradication.
The Best Way To Get Rid Of Drywood Termites
Our professional termite control is by far the most effective, reliable, and long-term solution for eliminating drywood termites because these termites often live deep inside wood structures, where DIY treatments cannot reach. Our professional exterminators use advanced tools, proven insecticides, and structural treatments designed to eliminate the entire colony — not just surface-level termites. Here’s why hiring our licensed termite control specialists is the best course of action:
Complete Colony Elimination
Drywood termites live in isolated colonies within walls, floors, attics, and furniture, often without visible entry points. For drywood termite infestations, our professionals use whole-structure fumigation (tenting). This method fills the entire building with a lethal gas that penetrates every piece of wood and kills termites throughout the structure — including hidden galleries that DIY methods can’t access. This technique eradicates entire colonies, ensuring there are no survivors left to re-infest the structure.
Access to Professional-Grade Termiticides
Our licensed professionals have access to EPA-approved termiticides and foams that are far stronger and longer-lasting than consumer products. We can inject these products into walls, voids, and wood structures in precise quantities that ensure safety and full coverage. Our professional-grade borate and non-repellent termiticides also create residual protection that keeps termites from returning for years.
Prevention and Long-Term Protection
Our professional termite control doesn’t just remove existing infestations — we also include preventive measures such as:
- Treating exposed wood with borate solutions.
Sealing structural cracks and entry points.
Recommending improvements in ventilation and moisture control.
Setting up long-term monitoring and warranty plans to ensure your home or business remains termite-free.
We also provide renewable warranties or protection plans, which provides peace of mind and cost savings if termites reappear.
Safety and Structural Expertise
Termite fumigation and chemical application require extensive training, safety equipment, and certification. Our professionals know how to handle and apply fumigants and insecticides safely, ensuring there’s no risk to people, pets, or property. We also understand how to evaluate wood integrity, identifying whether termite damage has weakened structural components — something most property owners are not equipped to assess.
Guaranteed Results and Documentation
We provide written inspection reports, documenting where and how treatments were performed. This professional documentation not only provides assurance but can also be valuable for insurance claims or property sales, proving that the structure has been properly treated and inspected.
Drywood termites can silently destroy a property from the inside out, and DIY methods rarely reach their hidden colonies. Our professional termite control delivers:
Full structural coverage
Proven elimination methods
Safety, precision, and peace of mind
Long-term protection against re-infestation
While homeowners can attempt spot treatments for minor issues, our professional termite control ensures total eradication and lasting defense against one of the most destructive wood-infesting pests.
Get Rid Of Drywood Termites With Miche Pest Control
Hiring our team of professionals at Miche Pest Control is an investment in long-term protection, expertise, and peace of mind. Here’s why:
- Personalized Service and Local Expertise: We know the specific pest pressures in the area—such as seasonal rodent activity, regional ant species, or local termite threats. Our technicians understand the environment, climate, and building types common to the area, allowing them to provide targeted, effective treatments.
- High-Quality, Comprehensive Solutions: As a full-service provider, we doe’t just treat surface problems; we address the root causes. From inspections and prevention to exclusion and ongoing maintenance, we deliver complete, integrated pest management (IPM) programs designed to both eliminate infestations and prevent future ones.
- Accountability and Reliability: We live and die by our reputation. We rely on trust, referrals, and repeat business, meaning we're committed to doing the job right the first time and providing exceptional customer care.
- Faster Response Times: We respond quickly to emergencies and schedule services sooner than large, national chains. Especially when you’re dealing with urgent pest issues like rodents or wasps, that speed matters.
- Customized Treatment Plans: We tailor our services to your property’s specific needs instead of using one-size-fits-all chemical treatments. This results in safer, more effective pest control that minimizes environmental impact and reduces unnecessary pesticide use.
- Highly Trained, Experienced Technicians: We invest in training, certification, and continuing education for our technicians. We stay current on the latest pest biology, control techniques, and safety standards.
- Long-Term Prevention and Value: Our focus on providing quality service means fewer callbacks, longer-lasting protection, and better value over time. Instead of repeated, temporary fixes, you get strategic solutions that protect your home or business for the long run and provide better peace of mind.
Hiring our team means you get expertise you can trust, faster service, safer and more effective treatments, and long-term results that protect both your property and your peace of mind. Contact us today!