The most prevalent termite species in Southern California, expecially in beach communities, is the drywood termite species. Drywood termites live in garages, attics and the walls of stucture and create what entomologists refer to as “galleries”(or nests) in the wood members of a structure. Drywood termites enter the wood,  they will make their dinner usually  on sunny days in the late summer or fall. They come in through exposed wood, vents, little cracks and knotholes in the wood. They  also live in and feast on utility poles, dead trees and stored lumber.  They require no soil contact.  Drywood termites do require a source of moisture. They are usually noticed from the piles of fecal pellets that they eject from their kick-out holes. The pellets accumulate below these holes. Drywood termites are also hard to detect because, unlike subterranean termites, drywood termite colonies live in the wood they eat. In both cases, termites are almost never seen until their damage has already been done. However, the best termite prevention is having our Gallant technicians secure your home before you have a problem.