What Is the Difference Between Drywood & Subterranean Termites?

Termites are sneaky little insects that often go unnoticed. They are quiet, rarely come above ground, and can wreak havoc on your home before you even realize they are there. Knowing a few facts about termites can help you spot them before they cause too much damage. At Bryan & Bryan Inspections, we want to help you keep the little buggers from invading your home by detailing a few of the differences between drywood and subterranean termites.

Drywood Termites

Drywood termites infest and damage any type of dry wood including furniture and structural elements of your home. They are typically a shade of brown and are larger than their subterranean cousins. While they are not dangerous to people, they certainly can be to your house. 

One of the main signs there are drywood termites in your Dallas home is piles of frass. Frass is the term for termite fecal matter. It usually ends up on the surface below the wood in which they are living. It may look like sawdust, but once you’re up close, it looks granular and varies in color.

Subterranean Termites

Subterranean termites are smaller than their drywood counterparts. Each one has their own particular job within the colony. The workers are soft, white, and blind, and are rarely seen as they spend all of their lives deep inside the wood they are devouring. The soldiers are larger than the workers and look quite similar except for their elongated yellow heads. The reproductive members are the largest with either dark brown or black bodies and wings. They are typically the termites you see whenever you do happen to spot them.

In order to stay alive, these termites need to remain in the soil. If they don’t, they will dry out from the sun and wind. They live deep underground and build mud tubes that they travel through from their nest to their food source. These tubes can be found along a property’s foundation or the floor joints on the inside of the building.

Professional Termite Treatments in Dallas

If you suspect there are termites in your Dallas home, request a quote online or contact us by calling (866) 484-8318. We gladly serve Dallas and all nearby areas with our home inspections, mold inspections, stucco services, commercial inspections, and more.

Source: “Know Your Termites: Drywood vs. Subterranean.” Web article. Know Your Termites: Drywood vs. Subterranean.” 01 Nov. 2021. 

#termiteinspectionsindallas #typesoftermites