Generally speaking, drywood termites are larger than subterranean termites. Drywood termites do not have a worker caste, which means they rely on nymphs (immature reproductives) to perform the typical worker tasks.

The most destructive drywood termites in the U.S. include the western drywood termite (Incisitermes minor) and the tropical rough-headed drywood termite (Cryptotermes brevis).

Drywood Termite Colonies

Drywood termite colonies tend to be much smaller than subterranean termite colonies. The largest mature drywood termite colonies typically have no more than 5,000 termites.

Due to the smaller colony size, a drywood termite swarm is smaller than a subterranean termite swarm. Many drywood colonies produce less than 60 swarming alates in a season.

Signs of Drywood Termite Infestation

Swarms are often the most noticeable sign of any termite infestation. However, drywood termite swarms can be so small that they may be overlooked. Other warning signs for drywood termite activity include groups of discarded same-size wings and small mounds of fecal pellets (frass).

Drywood Termite Control

Small, localized drywood termite infestations in a home can be treated by a pest expert who will apply termiticide directly to the wood where the termites live. Fumigation and heat treatment are options when the drywood termites are located in an inaccessible area, the infestation involves multiple colonies or large nests, or the exact location of the nest is difficult to determine.

Other less common methods to control drywood termites include extreme cold and electronic methods. Depending on the size, scope and location of an infestation, these methods may be viable for infestations in structural wood or furniture.

Both protective wood treatment and regular home maintenance can help reduce the likelihood of a drywood termite infestation. By reducing the amount of wood materials near the home, using bug screens on attic and foundation vents, and keeping exterior walls in good condition, you can help reduce termite habitats and entry points into your home.

Dampwood termites typically are found in the western states, from Washington to Montana and down through California and Texas. They also can be found from central to southern Florida.

As you can see in these dampwood termite pictures, these termites most often are found in damp wood, such as logs, stumps and other decaying wood. Most dampwood termites do not require soil contact.

Dampwood Termite Colonies

Compared to subterranean termite colonies, dampwood termite colonies tend to be fairly small. A mature colony might grow to 4,000 termites.

Dampwood termites inhabit and feed on wood with high moisture content. Since most homes do not have very moist structural timbers, dampwood termites are not classified as major structural pests in the United States. However, if your home has damp wood, termites can infest it and build nests. When dampwood termites infest homes, their point of entry is often wood-to-ground contact.

Signs of Dampwood Termite Infestation

Signs of dampwood termite infestation include small swarms of flying termites and fecal pellets. Both dampwood and drywood termites leave behind small mounds of fecal pellets. However, drywood termite pellets are six-sided and dry, while dampwood termite pellets are moist and not as well defined in shape. It is unlikely that you will see dampwood termite damage, as worker termites typically plug all holes in wood with fecal material.

Dampwood Termite Control

If dampwood termites have established a colony in your home, your first priority should be to address moisture issues. When the colony’s source of water is removed, most dampwood termites will dry out and die. Team up with a contractor to identify and correct the water problem, which may be caused by leaky pipes, a leaky roof, faulty gutters or air conditioner condensation lines.

Then, contact your pest control expert to complete an inspection for any continued activity. If the water issue cannot be corrected, your pest control expert may be able to treat the wood with termiticide. However, some chemicals are diluted by water and may not be as effective.

In some cases, you will be achieve the most effective termite control by making structural changes, such as replacing damp, infested wood.

Facts & Identification Information

Termites are often called the “silent destroyer” because they may be secretly hiding and thriving in your home or yard without any immediate signs of damage. All termites consume cellulose-based plant materials. Unfortunately, all homes, regardless of their construction type, can provide cellulose food for termite infestation.

Termite Scientific Name

There are three major types of termites found in the United States: subterranean, drywood, and dampwood. They all belong to the phylum Arthropoda, the class Insecta, and the order Isoptera. There are over 2,000 different species, which all have distinct scientific names.

Three of the more common home-invading termite species are Eastern subterranean termites, Pacific dampwood termites, and Southeastern drywood termites. Their scientific names are Reticulitermes flavipes, Zootermopsis angusticollis, and Incisitermes snyderi, respectively.

Appearance

Termites range from 1/4 to 1/2 an inch in length. The queens and kings are larger, capable of reaching over one inch long. The workers are typically soft-bodied and pale-colored. Flying termites, also called reproductives, have two pairs of prominent wings. Learn more about what a termite looks like.

Diet

Termites are detritivores, or detritus feeders. They feed on dead plants and trees. Termites get nutrients from cellulose, an organic fiber found in wood and plant matter. Wood makes up the majority of the pests’ diet, although termites also eat other materials such as paper, plastic, and drywall. Most species prefer dead wood, but some termites feed on living trees.

Each type of termite has its own dietary preferences. Subterranean termites prefer softwoods, but may invade most species of wood. Dampwood termites generally stay close to the ground, but will choose moist, decaying wood anywhere it is found. Drywood termites are often found in attics and require little moisture in the wood they eat.

A termite’s mouth is capable of tearing pieces of woody material. This ability is what causes concern in human dwellings: while termite workers only measure approximately 1 cm to a few millimeters in length, their feeding habits are capable of causing costly damage to property. House foundations, furniture, shelves and even books are all possible feeding sites for termites. Read more about what termites eat.

Termite Habitat

Commonly, termites live in wooden structures, decayed trees, fallen timber, and soil. Habitats vary among species as some termites require different amounts of moisture. The pests are found in greater numbers in tropical regions where living conditions for termites is optimal.

Subterranean termites are the most abundant variety and can be found throughout the United States. Both dampwood and drywood species are generally more localized in the Southern states.

Subterranean termite homes are usually formed in soil. Within these mounds, termites build elaborate tunnel systems and mud tunnels through which they access above-ground food sources. Drywood termites live within the wood they consume and oftentimes infest walls and furniture.

When a colony has matured, winged, swarming termites can be seen around windows and doors. Winged termites are highly attracted to sources of light and are most active in springtime. After mating, these termites locate a new breeding site and create another colony, spreading infestations throughout multiple locations in the case of drywood termites.

Termite Reproduction

In the summer months, reproductive flying termites leave their mature colonies to mate and pair off. After this, the couples lose their wings, become queens and kings, and create new colonies. Immature termites develop to fill one of three roles: workers, soldiers, or reproductives. Some species of termite queens lay millions of eggs each year. Read more about the termite life cycle.

Colony

Workers are responsible for gathering and feeding the colony members, maintaining the nest, and caring for young. Soldiers protect the termite colony using their large mandibles to fend off predators. Reproductives are the only sexually mature members of the colony, aside from queens and kings. Read more about termite colonies.

Termites in a Subterranean Colony

Since termites are a constant threat to your home, here are some things you can do during the year to help maintain the effectiveness of The Orkin Man’s termite treatment plan. Small steps make a big difference in termite prevention and sustaining an effective termite treatment plan. Start by eliminating moisture conditions and termite food around your home. These simple steps make your home a less attractive target, helping deter termites.

1. Eliminate Moisture Problems

2. Repair leaking faucets, water pipes, and A/C units

3. Divert water from foundation

4. Keep gutters and downspouts clean

5. Remove excessive plant cover and wood mulch

6. Get rid of standing water on roof

7. Keep all vents clear and open

8. Seal entry points around water and utility lines or pipes

9. Remove Termite Food Sources

10. Keep firewood, lumber or paper away from foundation or crawl space

11. Get rid of stumps and debris near house

12. Place screens on outside vents

13. Check decks and wooden fences for damage

14. Wood on your home shouldn’t contact the soil

15. Termite Warning Signs & Identification

16. look for termite inspectors near me

Some indications you may have a termite infestation:

• A temporary swarm of winged insects in your home or from the soil around your home.

• Any cracked or bubbling paint or frass (termite droppings).

• Wood that sounds hollow when tapped.

• Mud tubes on exterior walls, wooden beams or in crawl spaces.

• Discarded wings from swarmers.

Termite Eggs

Termites undergo several life cycle phases, which begin with a fertilized female laying eggs. Termite eggs resemble caviar but are much smaller: they are small, white, translucent and ovoid in shape. A new queen’s first clutch will contain approximately two dozen eggs. Termite queens can lay eggs throughout their incredibly long life spans.

Termite eggs are large enough to be visible to the naked eye. However, they are laid in sheltered locations such as wall interiors or underground nests and are rarely seen by humans. Although eggs are the first stage of the termite life cycle and are important to the colony, the presence of termite eggs is not used as an indicator of infestation. Rather, the presence of adult, winged termites, as well as mud tunnels or piles of sawdust, are typically the first signs noticed by humans.

Termite Larvae

While adult reproductive termites are not usually responsible for structural damage, it is essential that the worker termites be exterminated to eliminate an entire infestation. Termites follow the typical life cycle of insects that have a gradual life cycle: they begin as eggs, and then enter nymphal to adult stages. In termite development, newly hatched termites are sometimes referred to as “larvae,” which is not to be confused with the larvae of complete metamorphosis insects like flies.

Identifying Subterranean Termite Larvae

Termite larvae are very small and about the size of the termite eggs. They have soft, white bodies and look like smaller versions of worker termites. This is because the larvae have not fully matured.

What Do They Eat?

Like adults, larvae feed on cellulose. However, workers must break down the larval termites’ food for them, since they are unable to digest it without help.

The Life Cycle of Larvae

Larvae molt several times before they are fully grown. Through this process, larvae turn into workers, reproductives, or soldiers based on the colony’s needs. Most become workers, as colonies have a higher demand for this role. Worker termites may later turn into soldiers, if needed. Termite larvae that become alates are able to grow wings and reproduce.

Damage Caused by Termite Larvae

Larval termites are indirect damagers of homes. Although they do not forage for cellulose like mature workers, larvae must be feed by workers that consume wood in homes.

Control & Removal

Termite larvae die if they are not fed and protected. Since termite infestations can silently destroy homes over long periods of time, any sign of termites needs to be addressed immediately. To efficiently eliminate the pests, professional assistance is recommended.

If you suspect you have termite activity in or near your home, contact a pest control professional. Termite damage can go undetected and result in significant financial loss from their damage. A termite inspector can inspect a home for signs of activity and conditions that are attractive to termites. They also can offer services to treat and protect the home from potential future damage.

Spring is the main swarming season for many subterranean termites. There are several subterranean termite species, and they don’t all swarm at the same time. (On the other hand, dampwood and drywood termites typically swarm in the summer.) Species generally swarm based on favorable weather conditions.

Varying conditions may mean that swarms will occur at different times. For example, some species prefer more moisture than others. Separation in swarm timing may be a matter of a few weeks, or time of day. Swarming also is linked to age and maturity of the colony. While there isn’t a distinct age, most native subterranean termite colonies will not produce a swarm unless the colony is at least three to four years old.

Homeowners often first become aware of termite infestation due to the presence of flying termites. While flying termites closely resemble winged ants, there are clear differences in their appearance. Ants have a constricted waist, while termites have a more straight-sided waist. Termites also have four wings of equal size. Ant antennae bend at 90-degree angles, while the antennae of the termite are straight.

Flying termites are visible when their colony swarms. Swarms are provoked by heavy rainfall and warm, humid temperatures among other triggers. Swarms occur when established colonies produce winged male and female termites in order to reproduce. After these mating flights, fertilized termites shed their wings and go on to establish new colonies. Termites seen flying in a home are indicative of a mature colony. Homeowners should contact their local professional pest control expert to learn about extermination solutions for their home.

Termite Colony

Termites are social insects. These insects live in colonies governed by a caste systems. All three castes differ dramatically in appearance and responsibilities.

Workers

Worker termites are the most numerous and most destructive members. They can be found infesting walls or floor joists of a home. They are white in appearance and navigate with their antennae rather than their eyes: worker termites are blind. This caste of termites is responsible for bringing food back to the colony, caring for the other castes and constructing the galleries and tunnels that form the physical colony. Subterranean worker termites use a mixture of mud, saliva and feces to create mud tunnels to and from sources of food.

Soldiers

Soldier termites are pale yellow-brown in color and have enlarged heads and mandibles. The soldier caste’s enlarged jaws prevent them from feeding themselves, and they rely upon workers to assist them in this task. The sole function of the warrior termite caste is to defend the colony from attacks. These warriors will occasionally attack other termite colonies, although the primary threat to any termite colony is ants.

Reproductive termites are an integral piece of the colony’s structure. Young reproductive termites, also referred to as alates, are black and winged. When outdoor humidity and moisture levels are correct, both male and female reproductive termites participate in mating swarms, after which they land and shed their wings. These insects then go on to form new colonies, within which they will be reproductive kings and queens.

How Long Does a Termite Live?

Termite Damaged Wood Rafters

Termite Damaged

Wood Rafters

Considering that termites live in soil and are exposed to a multitude of fungi and predators that can break into the colonies, termites are great survivors. Studies show that queen termites can live up to decades under ideal climate conditions. Workers and soldiers live approximately one to two years.

Termite colonies can persist for the life of the primary queen and beyond, so by the time the primary queen dies, the colony can have quite an expansive territory. For subterranean termites, with the number of members of the colony approaching a million in some species, extensive damage can occur in wood. Scientists today are using DNA analyses to map out the size and territories of colonies. One study has concluded that there are over 20 colonies per acre in some areas. This means that the long-living termite queen can die off, but the secondary reproductive termites and the other colony queens will keep reproduction moving forward.

Termite infestations can be difficult to identify before they have reached full maturity. Because a queen termite’s life can span so many years, populations left unchecked are capable of causing considerable damage to infested structures. These buildings can require extensive repair. Estimates of the termite damage in the U.S. each year exceeds $5 billion.

At the first sign of a termite infestation, arrange for an inspection. Get an estimate for treatment if there is infestation.