Termite Species Comparison Guide

Overview

Most common and destructive termite species in U.S. Live in underground colonies and require soil contact for moisture. Responsible for 95% of termite damage nationwide.

Identification

Workers: 1/8 inch, cream-colored, soft-bodied

Soldiers: Rectangular heads, large mandibles

Swarmers: 1/4-3/8 inch with wings, dark brown to black

Key signs: Mud tubes, soil-filled galleries, swarmers in spring

Behavior & Habitat

• Live in soil, require moisture from ground
• Build mud tubes to travel between soil and wood
• Colonies 60,000-2 million termites
• Forage up to 300 feet from nest
• Swarm in spring (February-May typically)
• Prefer softwoods but attack any cellulose

Damage Patterns

• Damage starts at ground level, moves upward
• Galleries follow wood grain
• Packed with soil and mud
• Layered, honeycomb appearance
• Often associated with moisture problems

Treatment Options

• Liquid soil treatment (most common)
• Bait stations
• Combination approach
• Wood treatment (supplemental)

Success rate: 90-95% with professional treatment

Overview

Live entirely within wood, requiring no soil contact or external moisture. Found primarily in warm, coastal climates. Harder to detect than subterranean termites.

Identification

Workers: 1/4 inch, cream to white

Soldiers: Large heads with dark mandibles

Swarmers: 3/8-1/2 inch with wings, reddish-brown

Key signs: Hexagonal frass pellets, kick-out holes, swarmers in late summer/fall

Behavior & Habitat

• Live entirely in wood, no soil needed
• Extract moisture from wood and metabolic water
• Colonies 2,500-10,000 termites
• Swarm late summer through fall
• Common in attics, furniture, window frames
• Can infest any wood in structure

Damage Patterns

• Galleries cut across wood grain
• Clean, smooth walls
• Chambers connected by tunnels
• Kick-out holes (1-2mm) for frass expulsion
• Distinctive hexagonal pellets
• Can occur anywhere in structure

Treatment Options

• Fumigation (whole-house, most effective)
• Spot treatment (localized infestations)
• Heat treatment
• Orange oil (limited effectiveness)
• Wood replacement

Success rate: 99%+ with fumigation, 60-80% with spot treatment

Overview

Largest termite species in U.S. Require very high moisture content (20%+) in wood. Found primarily in Pacific Northwest and coastal areas. Less common than other species.

Identification

Workers: 1/2-5/8 inch, cream-colored (largest workers)

Soldiers: Large heads, powerful mandibles

Swarmers: 1/2-3/4 inch with wings, reddish-brown

Key signs: Large fecal pellets stuck together, damage in wet wood only

Behavior & Habitat

• Require wood with 20%+ moisture content
• No soil contact needed
• Colonies 4,000-10,000 termites
• Found in water-damaged wood
• Common near roof leaks, plumbing leaks
• Often accompanied by fungal decay

Damage Patterns

• Large, smooth galleries
• Galleries follow wood grain
• Fecal pellets stuck together (moisture)
• Always in moisture-damaged wood
• Often with fungal decay present

Treatment Options

• Fix moisture source (essential)
• Replace damaged wood
• Wood treatment (borate)
• Spot treatment if needed
• Improve ventilation and drainage

Key: Eliminating moisture eliminates dampwood termites

Overview

Aggressive subterranean species native to Asia. Most destructive termite in U.S. Larger colonies, faster damage, and harder to control than native subterranean termites. Found in southern coastal states.

Identification

Workers: Similar to native subterranean

Soldiers: Oval heads (vs. rectangular), teardrop-shaped

Swarmers: 1/2 inch with wings, yellowish-brown, swarm at dusk

Key signs: Massive swarms, carton nests, rapid damage

Behavior & Habitat

• Colonies 1-10 million+ termites
• Build "carton" nests above ground
• Can nest in walls, attics (not just soil)
• Forage up to 300 feet from nest
• Massive swarms in spring (millions of swarmers)
• Attack living trees, boats, structures

Damage Patterns

• Extremely rapid damage (10x native species)
• Consume 1,000 pounds of wood per year (large colony)
• Attack hardwoods and softwoods equally
• Build extensive mud tube networks
• Can cause structural failure in months

Treatment Options

• Liquid treatment (higher rates needed)
• Bait systems (longer treatment time)
• Combination approach recommended
• Fumigation for severe infestations
• Ongoing monitoring essential

Challenge: Large colonies and aerial nests make elimination difficult

Cost: Typically 50-100% more than native subterranean treatment

Where Each Species Is Found

Subterranean Termites:

• All 49 continental states
• Highest risk: Southeast, Southwest, California
• Moderate risk: Mid-Atlantic, Midwest
• Lower risk: Northern states (still present)

Drywood Termites:

• Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico
• Florida, coastal Gulf states
• Southern Atlantic coast
• Hawaii

Dampwood Termites:

• Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon)
• Northern California coast
• Montana, Idaho (some species)
• Anywhere with very wet wood

Formosan Termites:

• Louisiana (especially New Orleans)
• Coastal Texas, Mississippi, Alabama
• Florida, Georgia, South Carolina coasts
• Southern California (limited)
• Hawaii

Can You Have Multiple Species?

Yes. Properties can have both subterranean and drywood termites simultaneously. Each requires different treatment. Comprehensive inspection identifies all species present.

Common combinations:

• Subterranean in foundation + drywood in attic
• Dampwood near leak + subterranean in crawl space
• Formosan throughout + drywood in specific areas