Drywood Termite Treatment in Mobile, AL
The southeastern drywood termite is a separate concern from
subterranean termites in Mobile and Baldwin County. Drywood termites
do not need soil contact, live entirely inside the wood they consume,
and are night swarmers in spring. Severe drywood infestations
require whole-structure fumigation (sulfuryl fluoride tenting),
which must be performed by an ADAI FC-certified operator.
Identification
- Pellets (frass): hexagonal, 1–2 mm,
straw-to-tan colored. Drywood termites push fecal pellets out of
galleries through “kick holes” — a diagnostic sign on
windowsills, baseboards, or floors below. - Swarmer (alate): ~12 mm including wings; reddish-
brown body; swarms at night in spring, especially after warm
rain. - No mud tubes. Drywood termites do not need soil
contact and do not build mud tubes (which differentiates them from
subterranean species).
Where drywood termites get in
- Attic framing, roof framing, fascia, soffit, and trim —
especially where flashing has failed. - Door and window frames, sashes, baseboards.
- Wood furniture brought into the home from infested storage.
- Cabinet construction in older homes.
Treatment options our technicians use
- Localized treatment (spot) — for limited
galleries: borate or foam injection directly into kick-holes; works
for verifiably-contained colonies but cannot guarantee that all
colonies in the structure are reached. - Heat treatment — whole-structure or
targeted-room heating to 120°F+, kills all life stages in
treated wood; works for some structures. - Whole-structure fumigation (tenting) —
sulfuryl fluoride gas under tarp covering the entire structure;
the standard for severe drywood infestations. Requires an FC-
certified operator. The ADAI FC certified-operator exam is not
available online — it is administered by ADAI Montgomery
directly. - Borate wood preservative treatment — for
new framing in a rebuild or major remodel; preventive.
Cost expectations
Localized drywood spot treatments typically $400–$1,500. Heat
treatments $1,000–$3,500. Whole-structure fumigation
$2,500–$9,000+ depending on structure cubic feet and the
local fumigation contractor’s pricing. See termite cost
guide. Quote on the call.
Related
- Termite control overview
- Formosan termite
- Sentricon (subterranean bait)
- WDO inspection
- Termite treatment cost
- ADAI licensing
Frequently asked questions
Are the technicians ADAI-licensed?
Yes. Every operator the call routes to is certified by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) under HPC (Household Pest Control), WDC (Wood Destroying Organisms โ required for termite letters / NPMA-33), or FC (Fumigation Pest Control). ADAI licensing is administered under Chapter 28, Title 2, Code of Alabama 1975 and Chapter 80-1-13 of the Alabama Administrative Code.
What’s the typical response time?
Routine dispatch: under 60 seconds on the call. On-site arrival: 2โ4 hours during business hours (7amโ9pm CT, 7 days) for most Mobile County and Baldwin County service areas. Emergency calls are routed to operators on 24/7 on-call rotation.
Do you cover my area in Mobile or Baldwin County?
The network covers all of Mobile County and Baldwin County, including Mobile, Daphne, Fairhope, Spanish Fort, Foley, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Bay Minette, Saraland, Tillman’s Corner, Theodore, and surrounding zip codes. See the full service area list.
What does pest control cost?
Pricing is set by the dispatched licensed operator, not by Mobile Alabama Exterminators. Published industry ranges: general pest service $90โ$280/month, termite treatment $1,200โ$2,500+, WDO inspection $100โ$199, bed bug heat $1,500โ$4,500+. See termite cost and bed bug cost guides.
Why choose Mobile Alabama Exterminators?
Broader coverage, faster response (the closest operator is dispatched), no pressure to upsell into a single brand’s bond or plan. Our technicians hold the appropriate ADAI license category for the work performed (HPC, WDC, or FC).
Related Mobile + Baldwin County coverage
Daphne
Fairhope
Spanish Fort
Foley
Gulf Shores
Orange Beach
Saraland
Termite Control
Bed Bug Treatment
WDO Inspection
Emergency Pest Control
Smaller Mobile + Baldwin County communities also covered
Bayou La Batre
Chickasaw
Satsuma
Prichard
Semmes
Mount Vernon
Citronelle
Wilmer
Grand Bay
Dauphin Island
Loxley
Magnolia Springs
Point Clear
Robertsdale
Silverhill
Summerdale
Elberta
Lillian
Stapleton
Perdido
Spring Hill
Midtown Mobile
West Mobile
Old Dauphin Way