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WEST INDIAN DRYWOOD TERMITE

Cryptotermes brevis (Walker)

[Isoptera: Kalotermitidae]

Adult: Individuals of the soldier caste of Cryptotermes brevis are 4-6 mm long. Their cigar-shaped body is white and not sclerotised.

Head: The head is sloping and rough (phragmotic) and constricted behind the frontal lobes. Mandibles of the soldier caste are very short and broad. A fontanelle is absent from the head. Antennae are bead-like (moniliform) and as long as the head. Eyes are small and maybe reduced to a small number of facets.

Thorax:Adult termites generally lack wings. The primary reproductive caste have wings for the nuptial flight only. After pairing the king and queen discard their wings leaving scales. The wings of the king and queen are narrow, longer than the body and have few veins. The pronotum is flat without anterior lobes. All legs are similar in termites. The tarsi are 4-segmented.

Abdomen: West Indian Drywood termites have 2-segmented cerci at the apex of the abdomen.

Distribution:Cryptotermes brevis is an urban pest endemic to tropical America and adventive elsewhere.

Pest Status:The West Indian Drywood termite is regarded as the world’s most serious termite pest of homes and will often go undetected until timber collapses. The species does not produce a single colony but several small, independent nests in sapwood or hardwood of a single tree. A colony is easily transported and therefore there is a high potential of small colonies to infest small articles of wood. This species does not require contact with soil and exists on the moisture content of wood. Damage caused by this termite is difficult to detect until a structure collapses.

These are the High Risk suburbs!

Termite control and inspections in Sydney, Australia is particularly important in these high risk suburbs:
Castle Hill, Dural, Baulkham Hills, Wahroonga, Frenchs Forest, Manly, Epping, Carlingford, Winston Hills and Leichhardt.

Termites digest paper, wood, materials containing cellulose.

For a bit of pest inspection Sydney style, call Bruce Gow from A1 Pest Control on Mobile 0417 251 911 or bruce@a1pestcontrol.com.au

“If you’re sick of dealing with pests then get into contact with us and we’ll love to get rid of your pests!” – Bruce Gow from A1 Pest Control

Pest Control

"We first used A1 Pest Control a few years ago when we noticed a few termites under a wine barrell in the rear yard of our home. We asked A1 Pest Control Sydney to pay us a visit to have a thorough termite inspection of our home. Bruce and his crew were on time, and very well presented. They explained how they would get rid of the termite infestation using a low toxic method and how their Thermal cameras worked, It worked very well and now we can sleep at night!"

Gary and Carol Harman

"We have been using Bruce form A1 Pest Control for over 4 years now. We bought our new house on the Hills Area, and moved in. our neighbours had problem with rodents and spiders so they are using A1 next door. I asked them if they could come over and treat our house too, as i didn't want to chase pest around our home. The service was not only effective, but carried out without any smelly fumes that we have experienced in our last house. They solved problem next door and I haven't seen a bug since."

Melissa Topper

"A1 Pest Control exterminators where great! I'm very happy to say that they solved a bed bug problem that I had after we had visitors from overseas visit us. I would recommend A1 Pest Control to anyone needing a safe and effective treatment of bed bugs"

Amanda Wu

"Bruce solved our commercial pest control problem in Castle Hill. Cockroaches were throughout our factory and they were completely gone after two visits from his exterminators. Just seeing one cockroach can lose us clients. I know now everyhing is ok, and our reputation is intact"

Raj Beri, Europa International

"Bruce from A1 Help us get rid of a bad spider infestation that have been troubling us for a while. It was done with low toxic spray and his crew even game me some cockroach and ant baits to get rid of them. I have recommended A1 to all my friends and family"

Carmel Thomas

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