Q. What can be done about them?
A. The termite control operator has three possible methods of dealing with DRYWOOD TERMITES. 

Removal of all infested wood. This is a good method, but is seldom used. Most houses it is only possible to see a very small portion of the wood in which it is built. It is very expensive to tear a house apart just for examination. However, unless actual inspection of all the woodwork is made, there is no way to be sure that all infestations have been removed. 

Drilling and treating. In this method, holes are drilled into the wood where the colonies are found then pesticides are injected. The insects that can be found can effectively be destroyed. Fumigation. Every part of the house is accessible to a lethal gas, which penetrates into the termite channels and kills the insects.

For fumigation, you must remove all pets, plants, remove or seal medications, and food. You will be required to stay out of the house from six hours to one week, depending on the type of infestation, size of the house and other factors. The house is then enclosed in a tent of vinyl tarps and sealed with plastic, tape, or other materials. The fumigator will post a sign on the property when it is safe to return. The heat method requires removal of pets, plants and items that may be harmed by high temperature.

The house is covered with tarps and hot air is blown into the tarp until the inside temperature reaches 140° to 150°F. The temperature of the structural timbers must reach 120°F. The time to complete this procedure varies greatly from one structure to another, depending on factors such as the building's construction and the weather conditions. The procedure may not be practical for structures that cannot be heated evenly.

These methods are intended to remove or kill termites only within the specific targeted areas, leaving open the possibility of other undetected infestations within the structure. These treatments are not designed for whole house eradication. Any pest control company that claims whole house results with local or spot control is guilty of false advertising and should be reported. Local or spot treatment with pesticides involves drilling and injecting pesticides into infested timbers, as well as topical application. The electric current method involves delivering electric energy to targeted infestations. 

For the extreme cold method, liquid nitrogen is pumped into wall voids adjacent to suspected infestation sites, reducing the area to -20°F. The localized heat method involves heating infested structural timbers to 120°F. The microwave method kills termites by directing microwaves into termite infested wood. 

Just as your family physician may call for a specialist who has been intensively trained so may a termite operator often prefer to have his fumigation performed by a specialist in that class of work.