Western drywood termite

Incisitermes minor, commonly known as the Western drywood termite, belongs to the family Kalotermitidae within the order Blattodea. It is a significant structural pest because it thrives in dry wood, requiring no contact with the soil to obtain moisture, which distinguishes it from many other termite species.

The host range of this pest is extensive, affecting structural timber in homes, furniture, and living trees. In agricultural and horticultural settings, they can infest hardwood and softwood trees, often targeting the heartwood and leading to structural weakness in the tree trunk or major branches.

The biology of these termites is characterized by a life cycle confined entirely to the wood they inhabit. A colony consists of a king, a queen, and various nymphal stages acting as workers and soldiers. Unlike subterranean termites, they do not build earthen tubes to move between wood and soil.

Damage caused by Incisitermes minor is often insidious, as the interior of the wood is hollowed out while the outer layer remains intact. The presence of the pest is usually detected by the accumulation of fecal pellets (frass), which are small, hexagonal pellets ejected from the tunnels through tiny exit holes.

Control measures require thorough inspection to determine the extent of the infestation. Common management strategies include the following:

• Localized injection of insecticides into galleries.
• Whole-structure fumigation for severe, widespread infestations.
• Heat or cold treatments for localized furniture infestations.
• Use of borate-based wood preservatives as a preventative measure.