If you’ve noticed signs of termite activity around your home, knowing whether you’re dealing with drywood termites or subterranean termites is essential. Both species of termite can cause significant damage to wooden structures, but their habits, appearance, and treatment methods differ.
In this article, you’ll learn the key differences between these two types of termites, the damage they cause, and the best treatment options to protect your home.
Key Takeaways
- Drywood termites live inside wood, while subterranean termites live underground and travel through mud tubes.
- Flying termites called swarmers spread both types, with Formosan termites causing faster damage in warmer climates.
- Drywood termites leave pellet-like droppings and hollow wood, while subterranean termites create honeycomb patterns and mud tubes.
- Pest control professionals offer inspections, fumigation, bait stations, and liquid treatments for long-term termite control.
Drywood Termites vs. Subterranean Termites
While both wood termites can destroy wooden structures while they feed on cellulose, their behavior and nesting preferences set them apart.
| Features | Drywood Termites | Subterranean Termites |
|---|---|---|
| Nesting | Inside wood (walls, furniture, windowsills). No soil contact needed. | Underground, traveling through mud tubes to reach wood. |
| Appearance | Smaller, pale or tan. Transparent wings on swarmers (alates). | Larger, dark brown or black. Swarmers (flying termites) have dark wings. |
| Signs of Infestation | Dry frass (fecal pellets) near cracks and holes. Hollow-sounding wood. | Mud tubes along walls and warped wood with blisters. |
How Termites Spread
During spring and summer, drywood termites and subterranean termites spread through alates or swarmers, which are flying termites that leave mature termite colonies to form new colonies.
Certain species of termites, like Formosan termites, are more aggressive and cause faster damage. These termites are commonly found in warmer climates, including Florida and parts of Texas.
What Termite Damage Looks Like
Both types of termites cause structural damage over time, but the signs differ:
Drywood Termite Damage
Hollow-sounding wood, small kick-out holes, and piles of droppings (or excrement) that look like sawdust or tiny pellets.
Subterranean Termite Damage
Honeycomb-like patterns in wood, mud tunnels on walls or foundations, and warped or sagging wood with visible blisters. Their tunnels often follow the wood grain and can cause the wood to splinter or break apart.
How to Treat Drywood and Subterranean Termites
Drywood Termite Treatment
If you’re dealing with drywood termites, here are a couple of ways to get rid of them:
- Fumigation: Whole-structure fumigation is the most effective way to eliminate an entire colony of drywood termites, including those hidden deep within the wood.
- Spot Treatments: For localized infestations, injecting products directly into infested wood can eliminate termites in specific areas.
Subterranean Termite Treatment
When it comes to getting rid of subterranean termites, here are two effective treatment options to consider:
- Termite Bait Stations: Installed around your home’s perimeter, bait stations like the Trelona Advanced Termite Bait System eliminate colonies by preventing worker termites from molting and spreading the bait within the termite nest.
- Liquid Termite Treatment: A liquid barrier around your home’s foundation stops termites from entering. This treatment eliminates termites that come into contact with it and can spread through the entire colony via worker termites​.
How to Prevent Future Termite Infestations
Besides keeping an eye out for termites, here are some ways you can help prevent an infestation:
- Seal Crevices: Close cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and your home’s foundation to block entry points for swarmers.
- Reduce Moisture: Fix leaky pipes, improve drainage, and use dehumidifiers to eliminate the moisture that they need to survive.
- Store Wood Properly: Keep firewood, lumber, and other potential food sources away from your home’s foundation and off the ground.
When to Call a Pest Control Company for Termite Control
DIY treatments might give homeowners temporary relief, but professional pest control is the best way to get long-term results.
At Reliant Pest Management, we offer comprehensive termite inspections, bait station installation, fumigation, and liquid treatments. Our services come with a re-treat guarantee, ensuring your home stays protected from future infestations​.
If you suspect a drywood termite infestation or subterranean termite infestation, contact us now.
