Drywood Termites

Drywood termites belong to the family Kalotermitidae, which includes 21 genera and 419 species of termites. Drywood termites can be found worldwide throughout the tropics. Drywood termites infest dry wood and often establish nests in roof materials and wooden wall supports and can infest dead wood that may be around homes.

Drywood termites form colonies of up to 2,500 members. Unlike other termite species, drywood termite colonies don’t have workers. Younger termites, called “false workers”, do all the work for the colony. As the termite colony ages, the young termites develop into reproductive termites or soldier termites.

These termites, along with other termite species, can cause a collective $5 billion in property damage each year throughout the United States. The termites can be transported to new locations via an infested piece of furniture, and it is not always easy to spot termite infestations. If you discover you have a drywood termite infestation, it is important you get it dealt with quickly and effectively.

Drywood Termite Taxonomy

The family Kalotermitidae that the drywood termite belongs to has 21 genera. Within these genera there are 419 species. The genera are as follows:

• Allotermes
• Bicornitermes
• Bifiditermes
• Calcaritermes
• Ceratokalotermes
• Comatermes
• Cryptotermes
• Epicalotermes
• Eucryptotermes
• Glyptotermes
• Incisitermes
• Kalotermes
• Marginitermes
• Neotermes
• Paraneotermes
• Postelectrotermes
• Procryptotermes
• Proneotermes
• Pterotermes
• Rugitermes
• Tauritermes

Drywood Termite Characteristics

Most species of termite are born with distinct roles for the various castes within the colony. There are usually three castes: workers, soldiers and alates. Alates, sometimes called swarmers, are termites with wings. These are reproductives that leave the nest to start new colonies. Swarmers are not immediately produced in a colony, as it can take up to four years for a colony to begin developing swarmers.

Drywood termite colonies are slightly different, however. They do not have workers, instead just having soldiers and alates. They look different from each other, so can be identified within the colony.

Drywood termite alates are usually pale brown to reddish-brown in color and have a hardened body with a cylindrical shape. Young termites (nymphs) and soldiers have cream colored, soft bodies, but are normally hidden from sight, inside of a piece of wood or other cellulostic material.

These animals usually range in size from 3/8 to 1/2 inch in length, with soldiers being smaller than both male and female reproductives. They have large mandibles (mouthparts) with teeth for chewing through wood. They have 6 legs.

Alates have four equal sized wings that extend longer than the body. The front set of wings has a pattern of three or more heavy, well-pigmented veins in the outer part of that front wing.

Drywood Termite Diet

Like other species of termites, this species eats cellulose, which is found in wood and other plants. This is what makes wooden structures so appealing to them and why they are found in homes, fences and trees.

However, drywood termites eat across the grain which destroys both the soft springwood growth and the harder summerwood growth. Most subterranean termites avoid the harder layers of wood, eating only the softer layers. Because they eat across the grain, the tunnelling can lead to a building or tree collapsing if the colony’s network of tunnels grows too extensive.

These termites can chew through support beams, floors and walls, causing expensive home repairs. They’ll also chew through wallpaper, plastics and fabric made from plants. In fact, drywood termites and other termite species cause a collective $5 billion in property damage each year.

Drywood Termite Behavior

Drywood termites are social insects that form colonies of up to 2,500 members. As with other species of termites, drywood termites are organized in a caste system. This caste system is composed of a king, a queen, soldiers, nymphs, and pseudergates (false workers).

Once a queen finds a good spot for a colony, which is often within a home, she chooses a mate (or king) and begins laying eggs. The eggs hatch and join the worker caste that eats wood and cares for the rest of the colony.

As the termite colony ages, the termites develop into reproductive termites or soldier termites. Reproductive termites (alates) will grow wings, swarm and go off to form new colonies.

They usually swarm on sunny, warm days after a sudden rise in temperature. Soldier termites protect the established colony from ants, other termites and various threats.

Drywood Termite Reproduction

Once alates have swarmed and landed in a new colony, they break off their wings which they do by holding their wingtips against a substrate and turning until the wing breaks off at the base.

After this, they are called dealates. Dealates find a mate and engage in courtship activity. A king and queen mate for life.

Once eggs have been laid, they hatch into larvae and go through about three molts, the young begin the process of separating into castes. Some molt into presoldiers, which resemble soldiers in form but have a soft body and are white in color.

Others become nymphs, which will eventually develop into winged reproductives, or alates. Other larvae molt to become the worker class of the colony, taking care of excavating galleries and keeping the soldiers fed.

Drywood termite pseudergates are different from subterranean termite workers in that they can continue to develop into alates should the need arise in the colony.

Drywood Termite Location and Habitat

Drywood termites can be found all over the world. In the United States, drywood termites can be found in a narrow strip that runs roughly from Florida to California. These warm to tropical climates are where wooden structures are plentiful and winters are not severe.

Because they don’t need water, these termites are often found in dry wood above ground level, hence their name. The wood they eat provides the moisture they need to survive. They obtain moisture from the water produced by the digestion of cellulose, resulting in a very hard, sand-like fecal pellets.

Drywood Termite FAQs

How serious are drywood termites?

Drywood termite infestations can be limited to one part of the house, or they can be widespread. Either way, their damage can be extensive, as the termites will chew tunnels inside wooden beams or foundations, weakening them from the inside. This can lead to collapse if not taken care of.

If you have a drywood termite infestation, you may need to have your house fumigated to prevent any further damage.

How do I know if I have drywood termites?

Drywood termite infestations are identifiable by piles of fecal pellets. These fecal pellets are often first noticed in places like windowsills. Frass is another indication. Frass looks similar to sawdust and is left behind by termites while digging through and consuming wood.

A big indication are swarmer wings. This shows the swarmer termites being active in mating and creating a new colony within the home. Finding wings is a tell-tale sign that you have a heavy infestation.

Many people only notice a drywood termite infestation for the first time when the termites swarm.

What do I prevent drywood termites?

The best way to prevent drywood termites is to seal all cracks and crevices around the outside of your home. Putting a mesh screen on doors, windows, vents and openings will also help, especially ones that lead to attics and crawl spaces. You should also make sure all firewood and scrap wood is stored away from your house.

What do drywood termites eat?

Drywood termites eats cellulose, which is found in wood. Therefore, they are very likely to inhabit wooden areas within a home, such as beams, floors and walls, and also pieces of furniture.

How do I get rid of drywood termites?

The simplest way to get rid of drywood termites is to remove and replace infested wood. If the infestation is localized to one or two pieces of easily accessible wood, you can simply remove and replace the infested wood to effectively get rid of drywood termites in your home.

If this isn’t an option, you can treat the wood with a borate-based product, such as Bora-Care. You can use insecticide, too.

However, the best solution we recommend if you discover you have a drywood infestation is to call a professional. They will be able to identify where the infestation is and treat it effectively.

Drywood Termite Species

There are 419 drywood termite species. Here are some of the most common drywood termite species and their scientific names, some of which also have common names.

Light western drywood termite

• Genus: Marginitermes
• Species: Marginitermes hubbardi

The light western drywood termite is found in Central America and desert regions of southwestern North America. It is normally found below 4,000 m (13,000 ft) and inhabits trees such as cottonwoods in canyons and near riverbeds.

This termite gets its common name because they are much paler in color than those of Incisitermes minor, the dark western drywood termite. This termite is around 0.5 in (13 mm) long and a yellowish color with pale wings.

Yellownecked drywood termite

• Genus: Kalotermes
• Species: Kalotermes flavicollis

The yellownecked drywood termite is found in France, Italy, Greece, Slovenia, Spain, in the Near East, Ecuador and in North Africa, quite close to the sea coast in warmer temperatures. The adults reach 8 to 10 millimetres (0.31 to 0.39 in) of length, with a wingspan of about 20 millimetres (0.79 in). The basic coloration of their body is pale yellow or dark brown. Their pronotum is yellow-orange, hence their name.

Western drywood termite

• Genus: Incisitermes
• Species: Incisitermes minor

The western drywood termite is native to western North America, including the western United States and northern Mexico, but has also been found in many other parts of the United States, all the way to the East Coast, in Hawaii, in Toronto and in China and Japan. They are adapted to the Mediterranean climate of their native range in California and the surrounding regions, and are often found in plants such as roses, avocado, citrus and elderberry.

These termites are dark brown and have an orange head. The soldiers are larger than the alates, and they reach an average length of 0.4 inches, and have a broad red head with black mandibles.

This species is probably the most destructive of the dryland termite species in the western United States.

Low country live wood termite

• Genus: Glyptotermes
• Species: Glyptotermes dilatatus

The low country live wood termite, also known as the low-country tea termite, is a species of damp wood termite that is endemic to high elevations Sri Lanka. These termites usually attack leaves, and stems of the plant, and sometimes whole plants.

West Indian drywood termite

• Genus: Cryptotermes
• Species: Cryptotermes dudleyi

The West Indian drywood termite is native to Indonesia, Java and exotic to Australia, Trinidad and Tobago and Sri Lanka. It is the most common and most devastating drywood pest termite found in the world.

This termite species is large, measuring between 4.55 and 7.15 millimetres (3⁄16 and 9⁄32 in) length in soldiers. Soldiers have a yellowish brown head. Alates have a tawny brown body color with faintly tinged brown wings.

Indo-Malaysian drywood termite

• Genus: Cryptotermes
• Species: Cryptotermes cynocephalus

The Indo-Malaysian drywood termite is found in the Philippines, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Hawaii, and introduced to Sri Lanka. It is the smallest termite species in Australia, with 2.5 to 3.7mm in soldiers. The alates have a pale brown body color, while soldiers have a completely black head and orange posterior.

Domestic drywood termite

• Genus: Cryptotermes
• Species: Cryptotermes domesticus

The domestic drywood termite is native to Malaysia, Borneo, Australia, China and Sri Lanka. It is a larger termite species, with soldiers measuring between 3.25 and 5.90 mm. Alates have a general body color that is pale yellowish brown and their wings are faintly tinged with brown. Soldiers vary in color from very dark brown to black.

Southern damp-wood termite

• Genus: Neotermes
• Species: Neotermes castaneus

The southern damp-wood termite, also known as the Florida dampwood termite, is found in the Caribbean Sea, Central America, North America, and South America.

Pterotermes occidentis

• Genus: Pterotermes
• Species: Pterotermes occidentis

Pterotermes occidentis is the single species in the genus Pterotermes. They live in extremely dry conditions found in the Sonoran Desert in southwestern United States, Baja California and Mexico. It feeds on dry wood and lives entirely within a single piece of timber. These termites have an orange body.

Glyptotermes ceylonicus

• Genus: Glyptotermes
• Species: Glyptotermes ceylonicus

Glyptotermes ceylonicus is a species of damp wood termite and is endemic to high elevations Sri Lanka.

Kalotermes jepsoni

• Genus: Kalotermes
• Species: Kalotermes jepsoni

Kalotermes jepsoni is native to India and Sri Lanka. It usually prefers to live in dead and decaying wood, but sometimes can be seen in live wood. It is a major pest of tea in Sri Lanka.

Cryptotermes bengalensis

• Genus: Cryptotermes
• Species: Cryptotermes bengalensis

Cryptotermes bengalensis is native to India, Bangladesh, Thailand and has been introduced to Sri Lanka. It is found in dead and rotten wood of Ficus species.

Cryptotermes ceylonicus

• Genus: Cryptotermes
• Species: Cryptotermes ceylonicus

Cryptotermes ceylonicus is found in Sri Lanka.

Neotermes greeni

• Genus: Neotermes
• Species: Neotermes greeni

Neotermes greeni is native to India and Sri Lanka, confined to the upper elevations of the low country and sometimes in mid country. It is a minor pest of tea in Sri Lanka, and major pest of mango in India.

Neotermes jouteli

• Genus: Neotermes
• Species: Neotermes jouteli

Neotermes jouteli is native to South Florida and surrounding Caribbean nations. It is the largest species of termite in Florida, with soldiers reaching a maximum length of 13.35 mm and the winged alates reaching a maximum length of around 16.05 mm.