When it comes to termite infestations, not all termites are the same. The two most common types that cause problems for homeowners are drywood termites and subterranean termites. While both species are highly destructive, they differ significantly in behavior, habitat, and treatment methods. Understanding the differences between these two termite types is essential for effectively protecting your home and choosing the right termite control strategy. In this guide, we will break down everything you need to know about drywood and subterranean termites.
Habitat and Nesting Behavior
The most noticeable difference between drywood and subterranean termites is where they build their nests.
Subterranean Termites live underground and build colonies in the soil. They depend on contact with the soil for moisture and create elaborate tunnels (mud tubes) to reach above-ground food sources. These mud tubes are often one of the first visible signs of a subterranean termite infestation.
Drywood Termites, on the other hand, do not require contact with soil. They nest directly inside dry wood, including structural timbers, furniture, and wooden fixtures. Because they don’t need soil contact, they can infest higher parts of a structure, like attics, rafters, and walls, without leaving the obvious external signs that subterranean termites often do.
Physical Characteristics
While drywood and subterranean termites look similar at first glance, there are subtle physical differences.
Subterranean termites are usually smaller, measuring about 1/8 to 3/8 inches in length, and tend to have darker-colored bodies, especially the soldier and swarmer castes. Their wings are equal in size and are typically twice the length of their body.
Drywood termites are slightly larger, with bodies measuring about 3/8 to 1 inch. Their bodies are often lighter in color, ranging from creamy white to light brown. Like subterranean termites, their wings are equal in length but tend to be more transparent.
Feeding and Damage Patterns
Subterranean Termites are the more aggressive and destructive of the two. They feed on the softer, springwood portions of timber, leaving behind a layered, honeycomb-like pattern inside the wood. Their feeding habits cause significant structural damage, often leading to sagging floors, warped walls, and weakened support beams. Because they remain hidden inside wood and soil, homeowners may not notice their presence until considerable damage has already occurred.
Drywood Termites consume both the soft and hard parts of wood, creating smooth, clean galleries within the wood. Their damage is typically more localized than that of subterranean termites. However, since they don’t rely on soil and can infest any wood structure, they often go unnoticed until their droppings (called frass) or hollowed wood surfaces are discovered.
Signs of Infestation
Subterranean termites often reveal themselves by building mud tubes on foundations, walls, or crawl spaces. These tubes protect them from dehydration and predators while traveling between the soil and food sources. Other signs include bubbling or peeling paint, hollow-sounding wood, and swarmers (winged termites) appearing inside or outside the home.
Drywood termites are usually discovered when homeowners find small piles of frass (termite droppings) near infested wood. They also produce swarmers, but their colonies are generally smaller than those of subterranean termites, resulting in fewer visible termites. Damaged wood may sound hollow when tapped and may show blistered or uneven surfaces.
Colony Size and Growth Rate
Subterranean termite colonies are much larger, often numbering in the hundreds of thousands to millions. Because of their size and aggressive nature, they can cause extensive damage in a relatively short period.
Drywood termite colonies are smaller, usually containing a few thousand individuals. Although they work more slowly than subterranean termites, their ability to nest entirely within wood without soil contact makes them equally challenging to detect and manage.
Treatment Options
Subterranean Termites are typically treated using liquid termiticides or baiting systems. Liquid termiticides create a chemical barrier around the foundation, preventing termites from accessing the structure. Baiting systems use slow-acting toxins that termites carry back to the colony, ultimately eliminating it.
Drywood Termites are usually managed through localized treatments, including wood injection with termiticides or heat treatments. In severe cases, structural fumigation may be necessary. Since drywood termites don’t rely on soil, soil treatments are ineffective against them.
Prevention Tips
For subterranean termites, keeping the soil around your home dry and minimizing wood-to-soil contact are crucial steps. Fixing leaky pipes, maintaining proper drainage, and ensuring gutters are clear all help reduce moisture levels that attract these pests.
To prevent drywood termites, homeowners should seal cracks and crevices in exposed wood, keep wood properly painted or sealed, and avoid bringing infested furniture or lumber into the home.
Conclusion
Although both drywood and subterranean termites pose serious risks to homeowners, their habits, nesting preferences, and treatment requirements differ greatly. Subterranean termites are generally more destructive due to their large colony size and fast working speed, while drywood termites can silently infest isolated wooden areas for years without detection.
Understanding these differences is vital for early detection, effective treatment, and long-term prevention. If you suspect termite activity in your home, consult a licensed pest control professional to properly identify the species and recommend the most effective treatment plan.
If you believe you have termites or bugs in or around your home Request a free termite inspection online, call us at 888-945-2847 or visit our contact page. All of our termite inspections are no obligation and 100% free!
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