Color: Light brown
Legs: 6
Shape: Long, narrow, oval
Size: 3/8″ to one inch
Antennae: True
These social insects infest dry wood and do not require contact with the soil. Unlike other termite species that need constant external moisture, drywood termites extract the water they need directly from the wood they consume and the metabolic processes of their own bodies.
They form colonies of up to 2,500 members. Unlike subterranean termite species, drywood termite colonies do not have a worker caste. The work is done by immature termites before they reach adulthood. These "pseudergates" are responsible for excavating tunnels and feeding the king, queen, and soldier termites within the nest.
Drywood termites can infest structures and cause significant damage. Because they live entirely within the wood they eat, an infestation can go undetected for years until the structural integrity of a beam or furniture piece is severely compromised.
Drywood termites infest dry wood, like that found in attic framings. They are also commonly found in hardwood flooring, door frames, and antique furniture, often entering these items through small cracks or joints.
Drywood termites can be avoided by making sure firewood and scrap wood is stored at least 20 feet from the home. Because drywood termites form new colonies by gaining access to wood through small holes, seal all cracks and crevices in a structure.
Drywood termite droppings, called frass, look like tiny pellets or sawdust that are typically tan, brown, or cream-colored, and have six concave sides. These small, hard pellets often accumulate in small piles beneath infested wood or near kick-out holes where termites push them out.
Drywood termites are attracted to exposed, untreated wood in homes, particularly in attics, window frames, and furniture, and can enter through small cracks or gaps. Unlike subterranean termites, they don't need soil contact and can infest any dry wood structure, making homes in warm, coastal climates particularly vulnerable.
Drywood termite nests are located entirely within the wood they infest, creating a network of smooth-walled galleries and chambers inside the timber. Unlike other termite species, they don't build visible mud tubes or external structures. The only external signs are small kick-out holes and piles of frass below infested wood.