Drywood Termites Identification Guide

Drywood Termite Identification Guide

Physical Characteristics

Drywood termites are social insects that live in colonies inside the wood they eat. Adults are 6 to 13 millimeters long. Size depends on their role in the colony. Workers and young termites are creamy white to pale tan with soft bodies. These are sometimes called “false workers” because they are not fully grown yet. Soldiers have larger heads that are darker in color. Their heads range from yellowish-brown to reddish-brown. They have strong jaws to protect the colony.

Winged termites, called swarmers, are the largest members. They have dark brown to black bodies with two pairs of wings of equal length. The wings extend past the body. After they swarm, they shed their wings. You may find piles of wings near windows and doors.

Common Species in North America

Several drywood termite species live across North America. They are most common in southern and coastal areas.

• Western Drywood Termite (Incisitermes minor): The most common drywood termite in California and the Southwest. Soldiers have dark heads and pale bodies.

• Southeastern Drywood Termite (Incisitermes snyderi): Found in Florida and southeastern coastal states. Colonies often infest roof spaces and wooden structures.

• West Indian Drywood Termite (Cryptotermes brevis): This species came from the Caribbean. It has spread through Florida and Gulf Coast states. It often infests furniture and wood items.

• Florida Drywood Termite (Cryptotermes cavifrons): Native to Florida. Creates small colonies in structural wood and furniture.

Drywood Termite Behavior and Biology

Colony Structure and Development

Drywood termites live in colonies where each member has a job. Unlike subterranean termites, drywood colonies are small. Most have fewer than 1,000 members, even when fully grown. Colonies grow slowly. It often takes five years or more for a colony to mature.

Each colony has a king and queen who reproduce. Soldiers defend the colony. Young termites do the work of finding food and caring for others. These young termites can grow into soldiers or reproductives based on what the colony needs.

Habitat and Nesting Behavior

Drywood termites live entirely inside the wood they eat. They create tunnel systems as they feed. Unlike subterranean termites, they do not need contact with soil. They get all the water they need from the wood itself.

These termites prefer dry, solid wood. They commonly infest:

• Wooden roof shingles and eaves
• Window and door frames
• Wooden siding and trim
• Furniture and picture frames
• Hardwood flooring
• Roof framing and rafters

Their tunnels follow the wood grain and look smooth inside. Drywood termites eat both soft and hard parts of wood. This sets them apart from some other wood-eating insects.

Signs of Infestation

The best way to spot drywood termites is by finding their droppings, called frass. These tiny pellets have a distinct look:

• About 1 millimeter long
• Six-sided with flat ends
• All the same shape and size
• Tan to dark brown color
• Found in small piles below tiny holes

Termites push frass out of their tunnels through small “kick-out holes.” These holes are only 1-2mm wide. Finding these holes with piles of pellets below is a strong sign of termites.

Other warning signs include:

• Piles of wings near windows, doors, or lights after a swarm
• Wood that sounds hollow when you tap it
• Blistering on wood surfaces
• Visible damage to wood structures or furniture

Treatment Methods for Drywood Termites

Professional treatment is the best choice for drywood termites. The products and methods needed are not sold to homeowners. Treatment type depends on how bad the problem is and where the termites are located.

Localized Treatments

For small or easy-to-reach infestations, spot treatments can work well:

• Spot treatments: Drilling into infested wood and putting termiticide right into the tunnels
• Heat treatment: Raising wood temperature high enough to kill termites
• Cold treatment: Using liquid nitrogen to freeze termites in areas you can reach
• Microwave treatment: Using microwave energy to heat and kill termites in one spot

Whole-Structure Treatments

When the problem is widespread or hard to reach, fumigation may be needed:

• Structural fumigation: Also called “tenting.” This means covering the whole building and filling it with a gas that kills termites in all the wood
• This method is common in states like California and Florida where drywood termites are a big problem

Prevention Tips

You can help prevent drywood termite problems by:

• Checking used furniture and wood items before bringing them home
• Sealing cracks around windows, doors, and pipes
• Painting or sealing exposed wood surfaces
• Using treated or resistant wood in high-risk areas
• Getting regular professional inspections if you live where drywood termites are common

References

• Drywood Termites - UC IPM Pest Notes
• Drywood Termite, Cryptotermes cavifrons - University of Florida IFAS
• Drywood Termites - Texas A&M Urban Entomology
• Termite Baiting Systems - NC State Extension Entomology