Subterranean vs. Drywood Termites: Key Differences, Prevention, and Treatment

Comparing subterranean vs. drywood termites may not seem important when you have an infestation. However, knowing the differences in their behavior and appearance can be the key to getting your home back from these pests.

A report from the National Pest Alliance and Harris Poll found that homeowners have much to learn about termites. One of the most revealing insights was that only around 32% of homeowners could identify a termite if they saw one.

Proper termite identification methods help you know which type you have. It’s one of the most important steps in early, effective treatment.

What Gets Mistaken for Termites?

Winged ants are frequently mistaken for termites because they have a similar appearance. The problem is that, while ants are a nuisance, termites can cause severe damage. That’s why it’s so important to be able to tell the difference between them.

One of the best ways to tell them apart is by their bodies. Look at the size and shape of their body parts to help you tell the difference between termites and winged ants.

Start at the head. Termites have small antennae, while ants have clubbed or bent antennae. Then, move down. Termites have thicker waists than ants. They also have short legs, while ants have long legs.

The wings are also an important characteristic. All wings are the same length in termites, but the front ones are longer in ants.

Their behavior is also different. Pay attention to how the insects act in your home. Termites are attracted to light sources. Ants go in trails and follow other ants.

There are also several other pests that termites can get mistaken for. A few of the most common are:

Powderpost beetles
Springtails
Winged aphids
Carpenter bees

Subterranean vs. Drywood Termites

Once you’re sure you have termites in your home, it’s important to be able to compare subterranean vs. drywood termites. Identifying them based on appearance and behavior is the first step in stopping an infestation.

Drywood Termites

Drywood termites get their name because they don’t need ground contact or moisture. They can live their entire life in a piece of wood.

They eat across and along the grain of the wood and make nests in it. They’ll also create what are known as “kickouts” — small holes that give them enough room to push out feces and debris.

Drywood termites are larger than their subterranean counterparts. Swarmers are brownish and have protruding mouthparts.

Swarming tends to happen after sunset or at night from May to November. Drywood colonies aren’t as large as subterranean colonies can get.

Signs of drywood termite activity include:

Discarded wings
Holes in wood
Droppings

Subterranean Termites

Subterranean termites need ground contact or moisture. That’s why they nest underground and create mud tubes to get from place to place.

These termites are small and black in the swarming phase. They swarm in spring and summer during the day, especially after heavy rain.

Subterranean colonies are larger than drywood ones. Signs that the colony is active include mud tubes and hollow wood.

Which Are the Worst Termites to Have?

Subterranean termites lead to more extensive termite damage. Drywood termites only damage small areas, but subterranean termites can cause structural damage from the ground up.

Larger colonies also make them more difficult to get rid of. According to Mississippi State University, a subterranean termite colony can contain over 200,000 individual insects. You can quickly have a subterranean termite infestation without the proper control methods.

Termite Prevention

There are several important ways to prevent termites from reaching your home. Eliminating food sources and sealing gaps work well for both types, but certain specialized prevention methods are more effective for one than the other.

Preventing drywood termites means cutting off their food source. At the most basic level, this means removing any stray wood in or around your home. Remove any debris, mulch, or firewood.

You also need to prevent them from getting into your house. They can come in from almost anywhere, so be sure to seal any cracks or gaps and install weatherstripping.

One of the most effective ways to prevent subterranean termites is to cut off their moisture sources. Ensure there’s proper drainage around your home. Check for any leaks or improper landscaping.

Removing the food sources of subterranean termites is a bit more difficult. Getting rid of wood debris around your home is only the start of the process.

You also have to eliminate wood-to-soil contact. Subterranean termites can enter your home through the soil. The best way to do this is to carefully craft your home so that there is no wood near the ground.

Make sure to leave a gap of at least 18 inches between the soil and any wooden part of your home, such as siding or posts. You may also want to elevate wooden structures, including:

Decks
Fences
Porches

Drywood vs. Subterranean Termite Treatment

Termite control always begins with a thorough inspection. It helps identify where the termites are and determine the best methods for controlling them, depending on the type you have.

The best methods involve widespread treatments that protect your entire home. Regular monitoring is also essential to ensure they don’t come back.

Controlling Subterranean Termites

Controlling moisture is the first and most important part of subterranean termite treatment. Keep the soil dry by dealing with issues such as leaks. It keeps the termites from coming up from the ground into your property.

Fumigation may be one of the first treatment methods you’ve heard of for dealing with large infestations. However, it isn’t always the right option.

In some states, such as Arizona, fumigation is ineffective because subterranean termites live deep underground, making gas ineffective at reaching the colony.

Arizona pest control uses specialized soil treatments to create a protective barrier. The termite comes across the termiticide liquid barrier and transfers it to the nearby colony — a domino effect that eliminates the infestation.

Controlling Drywood Termites

Drywood termite control begins with a large-scale inspection. Professionals check for any place where the termites could be. They’ll pay particular attention to hotspots, such as:

Attics
Eaves
Wooden furniture

Localized treatments cover smaller areas. They may be enough if you have a small infestation or are just starting to notice the first few termites in your home. Larger treatments help create a protective barrier around your home.

Monitoring

Monitoring is essential after a round of termite treatment, regardless of which type of termites you had.

Perform regular checks around your home. Check for any signs that the termites have returned, such as droppings or discarded wings.

Have professionals return to perform their own inspections. They should also repeat treatments to renew the protective barrier and keep termites from returning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Time of Year are Termites Most Active?

Termites prefer warm, humid days. That’s why they’re most active from March through November.

Swarming behaviors also follow a year-long pattern. Drywood termites swarm from August to November. Subterranean termites swarm earlier in the spring.

Do Drywood Termites Go Dormant?

No, drywood termites don’t go dormant. They’ll slow their activity in the colder months and hide in wood, but it’s not true hibernation.

The same can be said of subterranean termites. They’ll dig deeper underground and slow down, but won’t hibernate.

Do Termites Return Every Year?

No, termites aren’t guaranteed to come back to the same place every year. They’ll only enter an area if the right conditions are met, such as:

Wood
Water
Ground to wood contact

There’s also a possibility of a new termite colony returning after a previous one dies. That’s why it’s so important to ensure all treatments are complete and maintained.

What Smell Do Termites Hate?

Termites dislike strong smells that interfere with their natural communication methods, such as pheromones. These may include:

Orange oil
Wintergreen oil
Neem oil
Cedarwood
Clove bud
Tea tree oil
Garlic oil

These scents are easy to get. Use essential oils and cedarwood chips around your home or in any areas that already show termite damage as a form of prevention.

Though this is true, termiticides such as Termidor® use synthetic chemistry (Fipronil) for colony elimination via a transfer effect, which natural oils cannot achieve once termites are inside the home structure.

Does Keeping Lights Off at Night Keep Drywood Termites Away?

Yes, it can help keep them away. Drywood termites are active at night and attracted to light.

Turn off the lights and close your windows and doors. It can encourage the termites to look for another place to start a colony. Keep in mind this is only a preventive measure, not a long-term solution.

Get Effective Treatment for Drywood and Subterranean Termites Today

Comparing subterranean vs. drywood termites is the first step in overcoming an infestation. It helps professionals determine how to eliminate the pests.

Scorpion King Exterminating deals with a wide range of pests invading homes in Gilbert, Arizona, as well as South Phoenix and the surrounding areas. We handle scorpions, ants, earwigs, spiders, termites, rodents, and more.

Our resident entomologist helps us understand these pests and their behaviors. This allows us to provide the most effective treatments possible. We can also give you the most accurate information about local pests.

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