Drywood Termites: How to Identify and Get Rid of Them

With a name like drywood termites, you can guess you’re likely to find these pests living in the dry wood inside your walls. But with over 40 species of termites living in the United States, it’s difficult to distinguish drywood termites from other termite species. This guide on how to identify and get rid of drywood termites will help you determine if drywood termites are in your home.

What Are Drywood Termites?

As their name suggests, drywood termites are fond of dry wood. Not only do they eat dry wood, but their ideal home is a safe, dry wooden space they can nest in. 

While most termites are attracted to moist wood, moist soil, or wet spots, drywood termites get the moisture they need from the dry wood they eat. Because of this, they can spend their whole lives in the walls of a house without coming out. 

To identify drywood termites nesting in your house, it helps to know the geographic areas where they live and are most likely to be found. Primarily, drywood termites prefer coastal areas. In the U.S., drywood termites live along the coastlines of these states:

• Alabama
• Arizona
• California
• Florida (statewide)
• Georgia
• Hawaii (distribution depends on the species)
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Texas

What Do Drywood Termites Look Like?

Like all termites, drywood termites are recognizable by characteristics such as their six legs, straight antennae, and a body segmented into 3 parts: head, abdomen, and thorax.

Beyond their basic anatomy, drywood termite appearances vary based on their role. Termites are social insects that form large colonies, and drywood termites are no exception. Termite colonies have a caste system where each termite fulfills one of three roles:

• Worker
• Soldier
• Swarmer

Drywood Termite Workers

Drywood termite workers are responsible for a variety of tasks that help the colony thrive, from gathering food to caring for the young. Workers do not have wings or eyes. 

Color: Creamy white or a grayish white. Their heads range from white to a yellow-brown color.
Length: 3/8 inch

Drywood Termite Soldiers

Tasked with fending off enemy insects, soldier termites are the colony’s warriors. Their job is to protect the workers, queen, and other termites with their sharp, strong jaws (mandibles). Drywood soldiers have rectangular heads that are darker than the rest of their body.

Color: Their bodies are usually a creamy white, while their heads are a yellowish-brown color that is darker than the rest of their body.
Length: 5/16 inch

Drywood Termite Swarmers

Drywood termite swarmers are also called alates or reproductives. In the spring, when swarming season starts, swarmers leave their home nest and find a mate. After mating, swarmers lose their wings and become the king and queen of their own colony. A termite queen’s role is to lay eggs to sustain the termite colony’s population.

Swarmers are distinctive from other types of termites since they are the only winged termites in a colony. The two other termite castes are wingless. 

Color: Usually a reddish, honey-brown color. Their wings are usually clear and colorless, but they can also be brown.
Length: 3/8 inch, including wings

Types of Drywood Termites

Southeastern Drywood Termite (Incisitermes snyderi)

With populations concentrated mostly in the eastern states of America, Southeastern drywood termites are a nuisance and a force to be reckoned with.

• A Southeastern drywood termite soldier is about 5/16 inches long. Their bodies are colored honeyed shades of brown, although their heads are darker than the rest of their bodies. 

• Reproductive Southeastern drywood termites have a standard length of 7/16 inches, including the wings. Alates are a pale, honeyed color that ranges from yellow to light brown hues. Their wings are transparent. They swarm at night.

West Indian Drywood Termite (Cryptotermes brevis)

This species of drywood termite, nicknamed the powderpost termite, is most likely to infest wood furniture or smaller wooden objects. Their fecal pellets are smaller than the frass produced by other types of drywood termites. 

Counted as one of the most prevalent types of termites, the West Indian drywood termite is often found in the Southeast.

• West Indian drywood workers usually have cream-colored or colorless bodies with an almost translucent appearance.

• The soldiers have menacing mandibles and distinguishable square heads that are a burnt black color. It makes their heads look like a burnt match.

• With a body length of 9/16 inches, West Indian drywood swarmers are dark-colored with yellow or light brown wings. Sometimes their wings are colorless. Swarmers average 3/8 inches long. Although they swarm at any time of the year, they are most likely to swarm from April through early June.

Western Drywood Termites (Incisitermes minor)

In Southwestern areas of the United States, western drywood termites are the most likely drywood species to invade homes. It is estimated that they cost homeowners millions of dollars in damage each year.

• Western drywood termite soldiers average about 9/16 inch long and have heads that are a dark yellowish or reddish brown. 

• Alates can measure about 1/2 inches long. They can be distinguished by a dark brown color with reddish-brown heads and dark wings. Their wings are brown, yellow, or transparent.

• Unlike Southeastern drywood termites, a western drywood termite swarms during the daytime. Swarm season starts in May and ends in August. 

Drywood Termites vs. Other Types of Termites

There are a variety of ways that other termite species differ from drywood termites. 

• Certain species of termites build mud tubes; drywood termites do not.
• Some species of termites live underground in the soil; drywood termites do not. 
• Other species of termites are attracted to moisture; drywood termites are not. 

Knowing what distinguishes drywood termites from other types of termites will help homeowners determine whether they are dealing with drywood termites or another species of termite. This is important because treatment methods differ among species.

Drywood vs. Subterranean Termites

One of the most noticeable differences between drywood and subterranean termites is the different moisture requirements. Subterranean termites require more moisture for a colony to survive, whereas drywood termites get all the moisture they require from the wood they eat.

Drywood termites	Subterranean termites
Nest in wood	Burrow underground in the soil
Get moisture from wood	Get moisture from the soil
Prefer dry wood	Attracted to moisture
Tan wings	White wings
Never build mud tubes	Build mud tubes to access food sources
Soldiers have ridged, toothed mandibles	Soldiers have smooth mandibles

The different patterning of wings is another way that homeowners can distinguish between the two species:

• Drywood termite wings have multiple crossing veins running along the top edge.
• Subterranean termites have veins that run parallel to the wing’s edge. 

Unlike subterranean termites, drywood termites don’t like living in the soil. They live in dry wood in places high above the ground, like inside trees or the walls of your home.

Drywood termite colonies have a smaller population than subterranean termite colonies. Another quirk differentiating the two species is that subterranean termites don’t push frass and debris out of their nests the way that drywood termites do.

Subterranean termites are more widespread than drywood termites and can be found in 49 states. Alaska is the only state that doesn’t have subterranean termites. Drywood termites aren’t dispersed as widely around the nation. They thrive in humid, coastal areas in the South and Southwest.

Drywood vs. Formosan Termites

When comparing  drywood termites vs. Formosan termites, a key difference is the size of the colonies. Formosan termite colonies are massive, sometimes growing up to a population of one million or more, whereas drywood termite colonies are never more than a few thousand termites strong.

Formosan termites also differ from drywood termites in that they nest in the soil. However, Formosan termites don’t exclusively inhabit underground nests. They are also known to build aerial nests high above the ground.

Drywood vs. Dampwood Termites

The differences between drywood and dampwood termites are evident in their names:

• Drywood termites prefer to nest in places with dry wood.
• On the other hand, dampwood termites are drawn to moisture. They nest in decaying or damp wood. 

Dampwood termites are more likely to invade yards with leaking faucets, poor drainage, or other sources of moisture. Homeowners don’t have to worry about wet conditions attracting drywood termites, since they are drawn to dry wood.

Dampwood termites are roughly twice the size of drywood termites. Dampwood soldiers can measure up to 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch long. From head to wingtip, dampwood swarmers can grow up to 1 inch long.

Signs of Drywood Termites

Knowing what a termite looks like will help with identification, but that’s only half the battle. While you might spot a drywood termite swarmer lying near an entryway, it’s unlikely that you’re going to catch many glimpses of a live termite.

Instead, there are many signs of drywood termites in your home to look out for, and most of them don’t involve seeing a termite directly. It’s a matter of being able to recognize and identify the clues they leave behind. 

Drywood Termite Damage

Here are some of the signs of termite infestations homeowners should look out for:

• Termite holes in the wall
• Damage to wooden furniture
• Crumbling baseboards
• Bubbling, peeling, or blistering paint
• Hollow wood
• Warped or sagging floors
• Loose tiles

But where should you look for this termite damage? Termites eat anything in a house that is made of wood or contains cellulose:

• Baseboards
• Cabinets
• Cardboard
• Drywall
• Firewood
• Floors
• Furniture
• Paper
• Tables
• Wood framing

Drywood Termite Droppings

Drywood termite droppings, called frass, are tiny pellets shaped like sand or sawdust. To the human eye, frass looks like little more than a fine powder. To dispose of frass and other debris in the nest, drywood termites create “kickout” holes in the wood to toss away the debris.

This process results in termite droppings spilling onto the floor. It might land on the baseboards, the windowsill, or at the base of the wall. 

Drywood Termite Swarmer Sightings

Although it sounds redundant, finding termites in your home is a sure sign that your home has a termite colony problem. 

Homeowners should keep a lookout for dead swarmers around entry points like doorways or on windowsills. Alates can get caught in cobwebs or light fixtures. If you ever see dead winged bugs lying near an entry point, take the time to confirm that it isn’t a swarmer termite. If it is a dead termite, you should get a termite inspection immediately.  

Live swarmers can be a problem too, especially during the swarm season. Any flying termites in your house may be reproductives looking for a place to start their own colony.

Discarded Wings

Since they are so tiny, discarded termite wings can be very hard to spot. The reason you only see discarded wings while the rest of the termite is nowhere to be seen is because a swarmer termite pair loses its wings after mating. 

Discarded wings are often an early sign of a termite infestation. It might mean that a young king and queen termite have just started a new colony right in your home. So if you find discarded termite wings in your house, get a termite inspection immediately. 

How to Get Rid of Drywood Termites

Drywood termites can stay hidden in the walls of your house for a very long time without needing to go outside. This makes them challenging to detect and tricky to get rid of. Here are chemical and natural ways to get rid of drywood termites:

How to Get Rid of Drywood Termites with Chemicals

Boric Acid

Boric acid, also known as borax or borate, is another substance that can kill termites. Unfortunately, its effectiveness against the drywood species can be limited, so boric acid alone might not be enough to exterminate the entire termite colony. 

In the majority of cases, it is necessary to drill into areas of the wall to apply a borax treatment. That allows the liquid or foam borate to target the termite nest directly. Otherwise, it might not be enough to reach the infestation.

Note: Borates are also used as preventive treatments. They are sprayed or dusted on the wood to create a protective barrier against termites and other pests.

Termiticides

A termiticide is the name for a specialized insecticide designed for killing termites. A general insecticide won’t have much, if any, effect on a termite colony, so make sure that a termiticide application is used to eliminate drywood termites.

Professional termite control services usually drill into the walls in order to spray the termiticide into the nest where the chemical will reach the termite colony. Another effective drywood termite treatment is to spot treat areas that experience a lot of termite activity.

Fumigation

Fumigation, or termite tenting, is the most effective way to treat drywood termites. In some cases, it may be the only option that ensures you get rid of all the drywood termites in your home.

Fumigation is an intensive treatment option. Here is a brief overview of the process:

1. A tent is erected around the entire house.
2. Once the house is sealed off under the tent, fumigant gas is pumped into the tent.
3. The fumigant gas penetrates every crack and crevice, even into small, tight spaces. Once the toxic gas reaches the termites, it will kill off the termite colony. 
4. It takes about three to five days before the effects of the gas wear off and the house is safe again. 

Since the fumigant gas is poisonous, it is dangerous to people, pets, and plants. That means that while your house is being treated with fumigant gas, you and your family won’t be able to stay in your home for those three to five days.

Due to the intensity of the project, fumigation is typically used as a last resort in extreme cases. If the walls of your house have been overrun with a severe infestation of drywood termites, fumigation may be your only choice. While this method is inconvenient and an involved process, it is an effective way to kill termites.

How to Get Rid of Drywood Termites Naturally

Environmentally conscious homeowners might not want to resort to using chemicals that are harmful to the environment, even if chemical treatments will effectively solve their termite problem. 

There are other natural remedies that allow you to get rid of termites without tenting or applying chemical termiticides around your property. 

Remove Infested Wood

A common way for termites to get inside your house is by smuggling themselves inside wooden objects. Homeowners might bring in old furniture crawling with termites into their home, not aware that they have just purchased a termite-infested product. 

If you’ve discovered that any wood inside your home is infested, remove it from the house immediately. 

Heat Treatment

Termites can’t withstand excessively hot temperatures. Exposing them to extreme temperatures of 120-140 degrees Fahrenheit for about 40 minutes should kill off a drywood termite colony in your walls. 

Some homeowners prefer this method because it is eco-friendly, as it avoids the use of chemicals. This makes treatment safer for anyone living in the house. 

Be aware that heat treatments can damage sensitive items such as cable cords or plastic. Pest control companies will be careful to avoid damaging any items in your house, so follow the preparation instructions before the pest control professionals use a heat treatment on your home. 

Microwave

Since extreme heat is effective for killing termites, another form of heat treatment is to microwave drywood termites at 700 watts. By increasing the temperature of an infested piece of wood, microwave termite treatments target localized termite infestations.

These specialized termite-killing microwaves destroy a termite’s cell membrane, killing the termites. Only licensed pest control professionals have access to using these microwaves to kill termites. 

Freezing

Termites don’t like extreme heat, and they don’t like the extreme cold either. To kill a termite colony, you can freeze them out.

The freezing process uses liquid nitrogen to lower the temperature of infested wood. A drywood termite colony needs to be exposed to temperatures below freezing. It might require drilling into the wall to reach the termite infestation.

Electrocution

It is possible to electrocute drywood termites with a special electrical device designed for treating termite-infested wood. Licensed termite control professionals use this device to send out electric shocks that kill termites. This is a localized termite treatment that kills all termites within 1-2 feet of the device’s reach. 

How to Prevent Drywood Termites

Getting rid of drywood termites is a chore. Luckily, there are several steps you can take to avoid ever having a termite infestation inside your home in the first place. 

To take preventative measures, you must apply chemical termiticide barriers and cultivate an unwelcoming environment. It’s time to signal to the bug baddies that they aren’t welcome and they need to move on somewhere else. 

Termite Pre-Treatment

It’s not just old buildings that are vulnerable to a termite infestation; new buildings can suffer from termite infestations too. 

A new house should receive a pre-treatment before construction even starts to help keep termites out of your home. This includes treating wooden structural components of a home and/or drenching the soil with termiticides. These treatments also prevent subterranean termites.

Silica Gel

Silica gel is another method that can be used to prevent drywood termites. Silica gel comes in a dust or spray form. As a desiccant, it dehydrates the termites by removing the protective layer of a termite’s outer skin, eventually causing the termite to die.

Note: Although it is primarily used as a preventive, in some cases, it can also be applied onto an existing drywood termite colony lurking inside your walls. 

Store Firewood Away From the House

To prevent drywood termites from getting near your house, store firewood at least 20 feet away from your home. 

Firewood should never be stored where it is touching the house. If firewood is in contact with your house, it gives drywood termites the perfect perch to climb up onto your house. From there, they will find a way inside.

Seal Cracks

Many houses have cracks or crevices to slip in though. Termites can slip through openings as small as 1/64 inch wide, which is about the same level of thickness as the edge of a standard business card. 

To stop termites from getting inside your home, caulk any crevice openings with sealant. You can also use paint or varnish to seal up any cracks. 

Inspect Wood Furniture

You just bought a new wooden cabinet, or maybe you found a nice coffee table that would be perfect for the living room. We’re sure you’re excited to add this new addition to your home, but before you do, inspect it closely for any signs of termite damage or infestation. 

Drywood termites can spread by hiding in wood furniture. Every new wood item, from bookcases to small knick knacks, should be carefully inspected for signs of drywood termites before it is brought into your house.

Avoid Using Wood Materials

While all homes have some wood, it’s best to avoid using wood as much as possible in the construction or furnishing of your home, especially outdoors. 

If termites are a problem for your home, consider replacing wood furniture with a different material instead, such as metal or plastic.

How Much Does Drywood Termite Treatment Cost?

Prices vary depending on the type of treatment, but homeowners can expect termite treatment costs to range from $275 to $863. 

Here’s a table comparing the prices for different termite treatment methods:

Termite treatment method	Price
Termiticide application	$4 to $14.50 per linear foot
Fumigation	$10 to $20 per linear foot
Heat treatment	$10 per linear foot

Remember, termite repairs are another cost you may have to bear, in addition to the treatment costs above. Repairing drywood termite damage can be costly. Termite damage repairs cost between $550 and $3,000 on average but can cost much more for extensive damage. Paying for routine inspections helps avoid infestations in the future.

Homeowners who haven’t detected signs of termites should still schedule routine termite inspections. Termite inspections cost $65 to $265. An inspection may be pricey, but it will give you peace of mind when it’s confirmed that your house is termite-free. 

FAQ About Drywood Termites

How Long Does it Take for Drywood Termites to Destroy a Home?

It depends on the type of termite, but most species, including drywood termites, take three to eight years to destroy a home. Certain termite species are more destructive, like the Formosan subterranean termite. A mature colony of Formosan termites can destroy a home in just two years.  

Will Drywood Termites Go Away on Their Own?

No, as long as there is a wood supply, drywood termites don’t have a reason to go anywhere. Treatment will be necessary to rid your home of these invaders. Aside from that, drywood termite queens and kings can live for a decade or longer, ensuring that a termite colony will live and grow for years. 

Is it Dangerous to Sleep in a House with Termites?

No, it isn’t dangerous to sleep in a house with termites. Termites aren’t aggressive towards people and their bites are small and harmless (and very rare). However, while they don’t carry diseases, termites can cause health issues, such as allergies, asthma, or other respiratory problems. 

Looking for Professional Termite Control?

Scheduling a routine inspection and taking preventative measures against drywood termites will provide homeowners with peace of mind. Knowing how to identify a drywood termite infestation will help you detect a termite colony early on before they cause significant damage to your home.

If you need a termite inspection or have determined that there is a drywood termite colony nesting in the walls of your home, don’t wait. Call a local termite control company today.

Main Image Credit: Ra Inta, CSIRO / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0