Termites are the pests capable of the most damage to a building; therefore termite protection and prevention are absolutely necessary for your home or business. Formosan subterranean, native subterranean and drywood termites are the types of invasive species that can inhabit your living and working space in our region. These termites can damage infrastructure and are prevalent in Louisiana, but DA can quickly and aggressively attack the termite problem and remove them.

Our treatment for termites features the Sentricon termite baiting system and the proven non-repellent termiticides Termidor and Premise.

Termites live and operate in large, organized colonies. As the colony continues to grow, it produces an adult winged termite, or a “swarmer.” The swarmers have two straight, identical wings and a wider waist than flying ants. Their wings are frail and often fall off their body as they fly or crawl.

Drywood Termites

Drywood termites love New Orleans and all of the Gulf Coast because they live off of humidity inside the wood of floors, wall frames and attics. The humid air is all the moisture they need to survive – they don’t need contact with soil like subterranean termites. They are light brown in color and are a narrow, long oval shape

Native Subterranean Termites

Native subterranean termites live underground and need contact with soil to survive. They build mud tubes to reach food sources and can build tunnels through cracks in concrete. Their saw-toothed jaws can chew through wood piece by piece and can cause substantial damage. They have a long, narrow body and are creamy brown in color.

Formosan Subterranean Termites

Formosan termites are the Darth Vader of the 8 common termite species found in Louisiana. They can completely deteriorate a building if left untreated and are capable of potential financial devastation. Louisiana is one of about a dozen states inhabited by Formosan termites. They are a type of subterranean termite that build elaborate mud (carton) nests in foundations of buildings, aggressively eating away at the cellulose-based raw materials. Formosans are swarmer termites that are 1/2 inch long, are yellowish-brown, and have a long, narrow oval shape. They are particularly problematic because of the vast colony size, the speed with which they cause damage, and the relative moisture they need to survive in comparison to native subterranean termites

What are the signs of a termite infestation?

Subterranean:

• Accumulation of dirt at the base of wooden frames
• Cracks or holes in paint or surface of frames
• Termite mud tubes
• Detached wings left by swarmer termites

Drywood:

• Small cracks near or on wood surfaces; weak or hollow wood easily caved in under pressure
• Build up of fecal matter resembling sawdust particles.