Drywood vs Subterranean Termites – What are The Signs?

Drywood Termites vs. Dampwood Termites vs. Subterranean Termites

Three major species of termites that commonly infest homes are dampwood, drywood and subterranean. Each type requires a different approach for effective treatment:

• Drywood termites: These wood-eating pests typically require fumigation or localized treatments like heat or freezing to eliminate them from your home.
• Dampwood termites: Often found in moist environments such as rotting wood near water sources; they may be treated with chemical applications or by removing their food source (i.e., wet wood).
• Subterranean termites: The most common termite species in North America; they build mud tubes to travel between soil and wooden structures above ground level – making it essential for homeowners to invest in preventative measures like bait systems or liquid barrier treatments around foundations perimeter walls etcetera overall.

Drywood termites (Family: Kalotermitidae) are a species of termites that infest and feed on dry wood structures. Unlike subterranean termites, which require contact with soil for survival, drywood termites can thrive solely within the wood they infest. These termites are known for their ability to cause significant damage to wooden furniture, structural components, and other wooden items.

1. Physical Characteristics: Drywood termites are typically small in size, measuring about 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch in length. They have a creamy or light brown color and are often mistaken for ants due to their similar size and appearance. Unlike ants, however, drywood termites have straight antennae and a thick waist, giving them a more uniform and cylindrical body shape.
2. Behavior and Lifecycle: Drywood termites form self-sustaining colonies within the wood they infest. These colonies consist of different castes, including reproductive termites (kings and queens), workers, soldiers, and supplementary reproductives. The reproductive termites are responsible for establishing new colonies through swarming during specific times of the year.

Drywood termites have a relatively slow lifecycle compared to subterranean termites. The eggs are laid within the galleries of the infested wood, and nymphs emerge from these eggs. The nymphs gradually molt and develop into different castes, depending on their role within the colony. The workers are responsible for tunneling, feeding, and caring for the colony, while soldiers defend the colony against potential threats.

1. Habitat Preferences: Drywood termites infest and feed on dry, seasoned wood, such as furniture, structural beams, flooring, and wooden fixtures. They do not require contact with soil or other sources of moisture like subterranean termites. This ability to survive solely within dry wood makes them particularly challenging to detect and eradicate.

Drywood termites are commonly found in areas with warm climates, as they are more prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions. However, they can also infest homes and structures in temperate climates, especially in areas where drywood termite populations have been introduced.

2. Damage and Signs of Infestation: Drywood termites can cause significant damage to wooden structures over time. They create intricate tunnel systems within the wood, weakening its structural integrity. Signs of drywood termite infestation may include:

• The presence of small, pellet-shaped fecal pellets (frass) near infested wood or on surfaces below infested areas.
• Discarded wings from swarming reproductive termites, often found near windowsills or light sources.
• Hollowed-out or damaged wood, which may have a honeycomb-like appearance.
• The presence of kick-out holes on the surface of infested wood, through which termites push out their fecal pellets.

It is important to note that detecting and confirming a drywood termite infestation requires professional inspection and expertise, as their presence can be challenging to identify, particularly during the early stages of an infestation.

In the next section, we will explore the treatment methods commonly employed to eliminate drywood termite infestations effectively.

Subterranean termites (Family: Rhinotermitidae) are the most common species of termites found in North America. They are highly destructive and can cause extensive damage to wooden structures. Unlike drywood termites, subterranean termites require contact with soil to survive and thrive. They build elaborate mud tubes to travel between their underground nests and the wooden structures they infest.

1. Physical Characteristics: Subterranean termites are similar in size to drywood termites, measuring about 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch in length. They have soft bodies and a creamy-white to light brown coloration. Like drywood termites, they have straight antennae. However, subterranean termites can be distinguished by their more robust body shape and a narrower waist compared to drywood termites.
2. Behavior and Lifecycle: Subterranean termites live in large underground colonies consisting of different castes, including reproductive termites (kings and queens), workers, and soldiers. The reproductive termites are responsible for establishing new colonies through swarming during favorable conditions, typically after rainfall.

The workers form the largest caste and are responsible for feeding on cellulose material, which includes wood. They construct mud tubes to provide protection and moisture as they travel between their underground nests and above-ground food sources. Soldiers have large heads with powerful mandibles, which they use to defend the colony against potential threats, primarily ants.

1. Habitat Preferences: Subterranean termites require contact with soil to obtain moisture for survival. They build their nests in the ground, often near a reliable moisture source, such as tree roots or water pipes. From these underground nests, they construct mud tubes to access wooden structures above ground, such as foundations, walls, and wooden beams.

Subterranean termites are found in various geographic regions and can adapt to different climates. They are particularly common in areas with high soil moisture levels and favorable temperature conditions.

1. Damage and Signs of Infestation: Subterranean termites can cause significant damage to structures, including homes and buildings. They feed on the cellulose found in wood and other plant materials, gradually weakening the structural integrity of infested wood. Signs of subterranean termite infestation may include:

• Mud tubes: These pencil-sized tubes can be found along the foundation walls, exterior surfaces, or in crawl spaces. They serve as highways for termites to access above-ground food sources.
• Swarming termites: During swarming season, winged reproductive termites emerge in large numbers, often near light sources or windows. The presence of discarded wings is a sign of a nearby termite colony.
• Hollowed-out wood: Infested wood may appear hollowed out, with a honeycomb-like structure. This damage can weaken wooden structures significantly.

Early detection and professional inspection are crucial for confirming subterranean termite infestations, as their activity is often hidden within the walls or underground.

In the next section, we will explore treatment methods and prevention strategies commonly used to control subterranean termites effectively.