Quick answer
A drywood termite is a termite whose whole colony lives inside a piece of dry, sound wood, with no need for soil contact, and which pushes small, six-sided fecal pellets out of the wood through tiny holes.
Drywood termites are most common in warm coastal and southern areas. Colonies stay small but can sit in many boards at once, and widespread cases are treated by tenting the whole structure.
Quick facts
The key facts about Drywood Termite, with sources:
Key takeaways
- Drywood termites nest inside dry wood above ground and never need to touch soil.
- Small piles of hard, six-sided pellets under wood are the clearest sign.
- Colonies are small, but one house can hold several of them in different boards.
- Treatment ranges from spot treatment of one board to tenting the whole building.
- They spread in infested furniture and wood, so they turn up far from their usual range.
A termite that lives in the wood it eats
Unlike most termites, drywood termites never live in the ground. A pair of winged termites lands on a crack or knot in dry wood, chews in and seals the hole. Their whole family then grows inside that board, eating tunnels through it for years.
They get the water they need from the wood they digest and from their own body processes, so dry attic framing or a wooden chair can support them 3. UC IPM lists structural lumber, decks, fences, utility poles, furniture and dead tree limbs as homes 2.
Colonies are small compared with ground-dwelling subterranean termites. UC IPM puts most western drywood colonies at fewer than 1,000 termites, often spread widely through the wood 1.
Growth is slow, too: UF reports West Indian drywood colonies start making soldiers after 2 to 3 years and winged swarmers at about 5 years, and can live more than 10 years 3.
Because they never leave the wood to forage, you rarely see the termites themselves, only the pellets they push out.
How a drywood colony starts and grows
- Swarm. Winged adults fly out of mature colonies. UF records West Indian drywood flights mostly from April to June, though they can fly any time of year 3.
- Pair and enter. After the flight they drop their wings. A male follows a female until they find a crack, hole or knot in wood 3.
- Seal in. The pair digs a small chamber, mates and lays eggs. From then on the colony lives sealed inside 3.
- Tunnel. Young termites chew galleries that cut across the grain, leaving chambers, some packed with pellets 2.
- Clean house. They push pellets out through small “kick-out” holes, and the pellets pile up on surfaces below 2.
- Mature and swarm. After several years the colony starts sending out its own swarmers, and the cycle repeats in nearby wood 3.
- Swarm flightMostly April–June for West Indian drywood termites
- Wings shed, pair formsMale follows female to a crack or knot
- Nuptial chamberSealed inside the wood
- Soldiers appearAbout 2–3 years in
- Mature colonySwarmers produced at about 5 years
- Back to step 1
Timings are from UF/IFAS for Cryptotermes brevis; other species vary. Source: [3]
Common drywood termite species in U.S. homes
| Species | Where it occurs | Swarmers | How to spot it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western drywood termite (Incisitermes minor) | Pacific coast, Central Valley, southern California deserts 1; also Texas 4 | About 9/16 inch, dark bodies; fly by day 4, summer and fall 1 | California’s second most important termite after subterranean types 1 |
| Southeastern drywood termite (Incisitermes snyderi) | Most common drywood species in Texas 4 | About 7/16 inch, light yellow, clear wings; fly at night toward lights 4 | Soldiers about 5/16 inch with dark yellow-brown heads 4 |
| West Indian drywood termite (Cryptotermes brevis) | Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Gulf Coast 3 | Mostly April to June 3 | Found only in buildings and wooden goods, never in the wild in the U.S.; soldiers have black, square heads 34 |
The West Indian species is the main reason for tent fumigation in Florida and Hawaii. UF reports nearly all structural fumigation there is for it 3.
Example: reading a pile of pellets on a window sill
This is a worked example of how an inspector reasons from one clue. It uses published facts, not a real job.
| What you see | Published fact | What it suggests |
|---|---|---|
| Tiny, hard grains, all about the same size | Pellets are about 1/32 inch long 4 | Fits drywood termite droppings, not sawdust |
| Each grain has flat sides | Drywood pellets have six flattened sides 2 | Separates them from carpenter ant frass, which is fibrous 6 |
| A pinhole in the trim above the pile | Kick-out holes are under 2 mm 1 | Points to the gallery the pellets came from |
| Pile comes back a few days after cleanup | New pellets after cleanup suggest activity 1 | The colony is likely active |
| Pile does not come back | Old pellets can fall out from vibration 3 | May be an old or treated colony; ask for a check |
Sweep the pile, mark the spot and look again in a few days. Pellets alone do not show how far an infestation runs, UC IPM notes, so a pro still needs to inspect 1.
Where the term appears on reports and quotes
On a termite inspection or WDO report, the inspector names drywood termites and lists findings such as pellets, kick-out holes, damaged wood or swarmers, and which areas could not be reached. Attics, wall voids and areas behind finishes are often listed as inaccessible.
On a proposal, look for the method: whole-structure fumigation, heat, or local treatments such as drill-and-inject or wood replacement. A proposal should say which boards or rooms a spot treatment covers. UC IPM advises getting at least three inspection reports before deciding 1.
On a tent fumigation contract, expect lines on how long you must stay out, what to remove or bag, and how the company checks the air before you return. The fumigant label sets these rules.
Warning signs of drywood termites
- Small piles of pellets on sills, floors or furniture below wood 2.
- Tiny round kick-out holes, less than 2 mm across 1.
- Winged swarmers coming out of small openings in wood, or piles of shed wings 4.
- Blistered or peeling paint or thin wood surfaces 3.
- Damage in eaves, siding, wooden shingles, attic framing or furniture 4.
Never enter a tented building
Fumigation uses a poisonous gas. Stay out until the company says the building has been cleared to re-enter, and never cross warning signs or tarps. Do not try to fumigate or heat-treat a building yourself. For a suspected exposure, call 911 or Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.
What whole-structure and local treatments do well
Strengths
- Fumigation with sulfuryl fluoride kills drywood termites in several days. UC IPM says a monitored fumigation has the highest success rate 1.
- Heat works when all wood reaches at least 120°F and stays there at least 33 minutes. People leave for hours, not days 1.
- Local treatments (liquids, dusts or foams injected into galleries) suit small, reachable infestations 21.
- Wood replacement removes the colony with the board when the infestation is limited 1.
Weak spots
- Fumigation means everyone, including pets and plants, leaves for several days. Tarps dragged across roofs can cause damage 1.
- Heat struggles with big beams and heat sinks such as wood on concrete or tile, and can damage heat-sensitive items 1.
- Local treatments depend on finding every colony; infestations may rebound 1.
- UC IPM notes dozens of preventive chemicals are registered, but no California field studies confirm how well they work 1.
Why drywood termites are hard to find and confirm
Colonies hide inside finished wood, so detecting one may mean removing wall coverings, paneling or stucco 1. Attics and narrow crawl spaces are hard to reach 3.
Special detection tools exist but are not common. Dogs, acoustic sensors, fiber optics, microwave motion sensors, infrared and portable X-ray have all been tried, with mixed results and high cost; visual inspection is still the industry’s main method 13.
Treatment success is hard to judge. UF notes old pellets can fall out of treated wood when it is bumped, so a few pellets after treatment do not always mean failure. New, growing piles or fresh swarmers usually do 3.
What drives the cost of drywood termite control
We do not quote prices here, because a fair number needs many dated local quotes, but the cost drivers are clear.
Whole-structure fumigation is priced mostly on the building’s volume, roof type and access, plus the work to tarp it. Heat depends on the space being heated and how many rooms.
Local treatments depend on how many spots are treated and whether wall finishes must be opened and repaired. Wood replacement adds carpentry, and load-bearing wood may need an engineer or a permit 1.
Ask what the work guarantees and for how long. UC IPM suggests reading the guarantee closely and considering a yearly inspection service 1. Our guide to termite warranties and bonds covers what to check, and the termite treatment cost tool shows how the drivers combine.
How a drywood termite job usually goes
- Inspection. A licensed inspector searches reachable areas. California’s minimum standard includes a visual search of accessible areas 1.
- Compare reports. UC IPM suggests at least three structural inspection reports, plus checks on license status, references and complaints 1.
- Pick a method. Spot treatment for limited, reachable colonies; fumigation for widespread or hidden ones 23.
- Prepare. For fumigation, follow the company’s list for food, medicine, pets and plants. For heat, protect heat-sensitive items.
- Treat and clear. After tenting, the building is aired out. UF notes fumigation is followed by aeration to 1 ppm or less before people return 3.
- Monitor. Clean up old pellets and wings, then watch for new piles or swarmers 3.
Our termite control service page describes what each kind of job includes.
Keeping drywood termites out
- Keep exterior wood painted or sealed; UC IPM lists screens and paint as barriers 1.
- Screen attic and foundation vents with mesh finer than a swarmer’s head, about 1 mm per UF 3.
- Caulk cracks and joints in exposed wood 3.
- Use pressure-treated or resistant wood for new outdoor work 1.
- Check used furniture, antiques and wooden goods for pellets before bringing them in.
- Sweep pellets you find and check the spot again in a few days 1.
Exclusion helps but is not a wall
UF notes that even with tight building practices, keeping every swarmer out is almost impossible, so periodic checks still matter 3.
A broader pest exclusion plan seals other openings at the same time.
When to call a professional
Call when pellets keep coming back, when you see kick-out holes or swarmers coming from wood, or when a buyer’s inspection lists drywood termites.
Call quickly if you see signs in several rooms or in the attic. Widespread or hidden infestations are the cases where fumigation may be needed 2.
Fumigation and most structural treatments are done only by licensed applicators. Our page on pest control licensing explains the categories.
Rules and standards that apply
Federal (EPA, FIFRA). The EPA registers termiticides and fumigants; registration needs more than 100 studies and tests, and products must be used as the label says 5.
Fumigant labels. Fumigation labels set who may apply the gas, the re-entry check and the aeration steps. UF reports structures are aerated to 1 ppm or less before re-entry 3. Our pesticide safety guide explains labels.
State licensing. States license termite companies and applicators, and rules for who may fumigate differ by state, so check yours. In California, UC IPM describes a state minimum inspection standard that includes visual searches of accessible areas 1.
Older wood. UF notes that CCA pressure-treated wood, which deters termites, has been largely restricted in homes since 2003 because of arsenic 3.
Drywood termite vs subterranean termite vs carpenter ant
| Feature | Drywood termite | Subterranean termite | Carpenter ant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colony home | Inside dry wood 2 | In soil 2 | Outdoor parent nest with satellites 6 |
| What it leaves | Six-sided pellets 2 | Mud tubes; soil in galleries 24 | Fibrous sawdust 6 |
| Colony size | Usually under 1,000 1 | Hundreds of thousands or more 2 | Several thousand in an indoor nest 6 |
| Whole-structure fumigation | Used for widespread cases 2 | Not effective 2 | Not used |
If you are unsure what left a pile, our pest identifier compares the clues.
Common drywood termite myths
- Myth Drywood termites come up from the ground.
- Reality They need no soil contact; the colony lives entirely in wood 23.
- Myth Any pellets mean an active colony.
- Reality Old pellets can fall from treated wood when bumped. New piles after cleanup are the better test 31.
- Myth They only live where it is hot.
- Reality They are most common in warm areas, but they travel in furniture and wood and can turn up far away 3.
- Myth Orange oil or a gadget always works.
- Reality UC IPM says recent tests questioned d-limonene, and no wattage of microwave device was linked to better kill rates in lab studies 1.
Where drywood termites are a regional issue
Drywood termites follow warm, coastal climates. In California they are most common in the south, including the deserts, and along most of the coast and Central Valley 2.
In Texas they occur statewide with the highest numbers along the Gulf Coast 4.
The West Indian drywood termite is established in Florida (first recorded in Key West in 1918), Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the southeastern Gulf Coast, with the largest populations in older buildings in southern Florida 3.
Outside these areas, a find usually traces to infested furniture or wood brought in from them.
When it matters to you, and what to do next
If a pile appears once and does not return, note the spot and keep watching. If pellets return after cleanup, or you see kick-out holes or swarmers leaving wood, book an inspection. If signs show up in several rooms or the attic, ask about whole-structure options.
Bag a few pellets and any wings for the inspector, since they help tell drywood from subterranean termites and from ants.
Before you choose, ask each company what it found, what it could not reach, why it chose spot treatment or fumigation, and what the guarantee covers. Our guide to choosing a pest control company lists the questions.
Spot treatment
- Fits small, reachable colonies
- Hours of work, no move-out
- Misses colonies no one found
Fumigation
- Fits widespread or hidden colonies
- Several days out of the home
- Treats all wood under the tarp at once
Quick decision guide
Watch pellets that do not return. Book an inspection for pellets that come back or for kick-out holes. Ask about fumigation when signs reach many rooms or the attic. If you are buying a home, get a WDO report before closing.
Questions about Drywood Termite
What do drywood termite droppings look like?
Drywood termite droppings are tiny, hard pellets with six flattened sides, about 1/32 inch long. They often match the color of the wood being eaten, though UF notes they can be cream, red or black. They collect in small piles under kick-out holes. Carpenter ant debris, by contrast, is soft and stringy like sawdust.
How do I know if drywood termites are still active?
The simplest test is to sweep up the pellets and check the same spot a few days later. UC IPM says new pellets after cleanup can help show activity.
Fresh swarmers or wings also point to a live colony. Old pellets can fall out of treated wood when it is bumped, so one or two grains alone are not proof.
Do drywood termites need soil or water?
No, drywood termites do not need soil contact or an outside water source. UF explains they get moisture from water bound in the wood they eat and from their own metabolism. That is why they can live in dry attic framing, furniture and picture frames, unlike subterranean termites, which must stay linked to damp soil.
When do drywood termites swarm?
Drywood termite swarms depend on the species. UF reports West Indian drywood termites fly mostly from April to June, though flights can happen any month. UC IPM says western drywood swarmers fly in daytime in summer and fall. Texas A&M notes southeastern drywood swarmers fly at night and are drawn to lights.
Do I have to tent my house for drywood termites?
Not always. Tenting, or whole-structure fumigation, is used when infestations are widespread or hidden. Small, reachable colonies can be handled with local treatments injected into galleries, heat or wood replacement. UC IPM notes local methods depend on finding every colony, so an inspection decides which approach fits.
How long do I have to leave the house for fumigation?
People, pets and plants usually leave for several days during drywood termite fumigation, according to UC IPM. The exact time depends on the size of the building and the amount of gas used. The building is aired out and tested before re-entry. Heat treatment, by contrast, usually takes hours rather than days.
Can drywood termites spread through furniture?
Yes. Drywood termites live entirely inside wood, so infested furniture, frames and other wooden items can carry a colony to a new home. UF says the West Indian drywood termite spread around the world this way, on ships and in goods. Check used wooden furniture for pellets and small holes before bringing it inside.
How big is a drywood termite colony?
Drywood termite colonies are small, usually fewer than 1,000 termites, according to UC IPM. A house can hold several colonies in different boards, though. UF notes colonies grow slowly, adding soldiers after 2 to 3 years and swarmers at about 5 years, and can live more than 10 years.
What is the difference between drywood and subterranean termites?
Drywood termites live inside dry wood and push out six-sided pellets, while subterranean termites live in soil and build mud tubes. Subterranean galleries hold soil; drywood galleries hold pellets. Fumigation can treat drywood termites, but UC IPM says it does not work on subterranean termites in buildings.
Sources
- UC Statewide IPM Program, Pest Notes: Drywood Termites (Publication 7440), retrieved .
- UC Statewide IPM Program, Pest Notes: Termites (Publication 7415), retrieved .
- UF/IFAS Extension, West Indian Drywood Termite, Cryptotermes brevis (EENY-79 / IN236), retrieved .
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Urban Entomology: Drywood Termites, retrieved .
- U.S. EPA, Termites: How to Identify and Control Them, retrieved .
- UC Statewide IPM Program, Pest Notes: Carpenter Ants (Publication 7416), retrieved .
Expert review
Written by the HyrePest Research team. Not yet reviewed by an outside expert. We say so rather than imply a review that has not happened; see our editorial policy.
How the numbers were checked: Species, range, colony size, signs and treatment trade-offs follow UC IPM Pest Notes 7440 and 7415, UF/IFAS EENY-79 and Texas A&M AgriLife, attributed to each. Registration points are from the EPA.
Suggest a correction. We fix errors and say what changed.