Termite Identification
Drywood Termites: Identification and What To Do Next
Drywood termites are a group of termite species that live entirely inside dry wood above ground and never need soil contact. They're most common along the Texas Gulf Coast and in South Texas, with only scattered reports farther north. In North Texas, wood-boring activity is far more likely to be Formosan or Eastern subterranean termites, but drywood activity is worth knowing how to recognize.
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Most termite swarmers and wood damage seen in Roanoke and North Fort Worth are caused by Formosan or Eastern subterranean termites, not drywood termites. Slade Pest Solutions can inspect the property, confirm which type of termite is actually active, and explain the right next step.
Quick Identification
How to Identify Drywood Termites
Texas has three common drywood termite species — Incisitermes snyderi, Cryptotermes brevis, and Incisitermes minor. Coloring and swarm timing vary by species, but all three share the same wood-only lifestyle.
- Scientific names
- Incisitermes snyderi, Cryptotermes brevis, Incisitermes minor
- Swarmer size
- About 7/16 to 9/16 inch long, depending on species
- Color
- Light yellow to dark brown; some swarmers appear reddish
- Key ID trait
- Six-sided pellets (frass) pushed out of small "kick-out" holes in wood — no mud tubes
- Wings
- Clear to smoky-gray, roughly 7/16 inch long
- Typical habitat
- Dry structural wood above ground — roof shingles, eaves, siding, attic framing, and wooden furniture
Don't Misidentify
Drywood vs. Formosan vs. Eastern Subterranean Termites
All three termite types can be active in Texas, but only one of them lives without any soil contact at all — which changes both the signs to look for and the treatment approach.
| Trait | Drywood Termite | Formosan Termite | Eastern Subterranean Termite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soil contact needed | Never — lives entirely in dry wood | Usually, though aerial nests can skip it | Yes, requires soil moisture |
| Mud tubes | None | Yes, plus possible aerial carton nests | Yes |
| Telltale sign | Six-sided pellets pushed from kick-out holes | Fast damage, night swarms near lights | Mud tubes on foundation or slab |
| Colony size | Small — hundreds to a few thousand | Often 1 million+ | Typically tens of thousands |
| Texas prevalence | Gulf Coast and South Texas; rare in North Texas | Established in dozens of Texas counties, spreading | Statewide, most commonly encountered termite |
If you're in Roanoke, Trophy Club, Keller, Grapevine, Haslet, Alliance, or North Fort Worth, damage or swarmers are far more likely to be Formosan or Eastern subterranean activity than drywood termites.
Learn more about Formosan termites or Eastern subterranean termites.
Nesting Behavior
Where Drywood Termites Live
Drywood termites get all the moisture they need by digesting the wood they live in, so they never travel to or from soil.
Roof & Attic Wood
Roof shingles, eaves, and attic framing are common entry points, since swarmers can land directly on exposed wood.
Siding & Trim
Exposed, unpainted, or unsealed wood siding and trim can be colonized directly, without any connection to the ground.
Furniture & Wood Items
Unlike subterranean or Formosan termites, drywood colonies can travel into a structure inside infested furniture, picture frames, or wooden crates.
Local Prevalence
Why Drywood Termites Are Uncommon in North Texas
Primarily a Coastal Pest
Drywood termites are most established along the Texas Gulf Coast and in South Texas, where the climate favors them.
Scattered Inland Reports
Isolated spot infestations have been reported as far north as Collin County, but drywood termites are not a widespread North Texas pest the way subterranean and Formosan termites are.
Smaller, Slower Colonies
Drywood colonies are typically small, growing to only hundreds or a few thousand individuals, so damage tends to progress more slowly than subterranean or Formosan activity.
Signs of Activity
Signs You May Have Drywood Termite Activity
- Small piles of six-sided, sand-like pellets (frass) beneath wood surfaces.
- Tiny "kick-out" holes in wood where pellets are pushed to the surface.
- Swarmers with clear to smoky-gray wings, seen indoors or near exterior lights.
- Wood that sounds hollow or papery when tapped, with no visible mud tubes nearby.
- Blistered or sunken-looking wood surfaces on furniture, trim, or structural timber.
- Discarded wings near windowsills after a swarm, with no mud tube activity on the foundation.
Behavior
Why Don't Drywood Termites Build Mud Tubes?
Mud tubes exist because subterranean and Formosan termites need to travel safely between the soil and a wood source above ground. Drywood termites skip that step entirely — they live inside the wood they eat and get moisture from digesting it, so they never need to reach the soil at all.
That's why the absence of mud tubes doesn't rule out termites. If you see pellet frass or kick-out holes with no mud tubes nearby, that combination points toward drywood activity rather than the two more common local species.
Why It Matters
Why Drywood Termite Activity Should Still Be Checked Out
Localized but Real Damage
Colonies are smaller than subterranean or Formosan termites, but they can still hollow out furniture, trim, and structural wood over time.
Different Treatment Needs
Because drywood termites never touch the soil, soil-based termiticide barriers don't address them. Confirmed drywood activity typically needs localized wood treatment or fumigation instead.
Can Travel With Furniture
Infested furniture or wood items can introduce a colony to a property that has no other termite pressure at all.
Prevention
Reducing the Risk of Drywood Termite Activity
- Inspect used or antique wood furniture for pellets or kick-out holes before bringing it inside.
- Seal and paint exposed wood trim, eaves, siding, and roofline wood.
- Check attics and roof framing periodically for pellet piles or damaged wood.
- Repair or replace damaged screens and vents that expose bare wood to swarmers.
- Remember that exterior soil treatments won't prevent drywood activity, since colonies never touch the soil.
- Have wood furniture or crating inspected if it comes from a known drywood-infested area, including coastal or South Texas properties.
Our Approach
How Slade Pest Solutions Handles Suspected Drywood Termite Activity
Because drywood termites are uncommon in the Roanoke and North Fort Worth area, the first step is confirming what's actually active. Slade Pest Solutions inspects the property to determine whether the activity is drywood, Formosan, or Eastern subterranean termites — each requires a different treatment approach.
If drywood termites are confirmed, Slade explains what was found and helps property owners understand the next step. Since drywood treatment typically involves localized wood treatment or fumigation rather than soil-based methods, Slade can refer property owners to a specialist equipped for that type of treatment.
See Full Termite Control ServiceReferences
Drywood Termite Identification Sources
Slade Pest Solutions combines field experience with trusted university resources when reviewing termite identification, biology, and pest-management information.
Questions
Drywood Termite FAQs
What are drywood termites?
Drywood termites are a group of termite species that live entirely inside dry wood above ground. Unlike subterranean and Formosan termites, they never need soil contact to survive.
Are drywood termites common in North Texas?
No. Drywood termites are most established along the Texas Gulf Coast and in South Texas. Isolated spot infestations have been reported as far north as Collin County, but in Roanoke and North Fort Worth, Formosan and Eastern subterranean termites are far more likely.
How can I tell drywood termites apart from other termites?
The clearest sign is what's missing: drywood termites don't build mud tubes. Instead, look for small six-sided pellets (frass) pushed out of tiny kick-out holes in wood.
Can drywood termites get into my home through furniture?
Yes. Because drywood termites live entirely inside the wood they infest, colonies can be introduced through used furniture, picture frames, or wood crating, even on a property with no other termite activity.
Does Slade Pest Solutions treat drywood termites?
Slade inspects and identifies drywood termite activity. Since treatment typically requires localized wood treatment or fumigation rather than the soil-based methods used for subterranean and Formosan termites, Slade can refer property owners to a specialist equipped for that type of treatment.
What should I do if I find pellets or kick-out holes in wood?
Avoid disturbing the area, and schedule an inspection to confirm whether the activity is drywood termites or another wood- destroying pest before deciding on a treatment approach.
Get Help
Found Pellets, Kick-Out Holes, or Unexplained Wood Damage?
Slade Pest Solutions can inspect the property, confirm which type of termite is active, and explain the right next step — whether that's a treatment plan or a referral for specialized drywood treatment.