Understanding the Hidden Threat: Why Florida Homeowners Must Know the Difference Between Subterranean and Drywood Termites

Florida’s warm, humid climate creates the perfect breeding ground for termites, with typically between three and five termite colonies for every acre of land. For homeowners in the Sunshine State, understanding the differences between subterranean and drywood termites isn’t just helpful—it’s essential for protecting your most valuable investment. These two termite species behave differently, cause distinct types of damage, and require completely different treatment approaches.

The Fundamental Differences: Habitat and Behavior

The main difference between drywood and subterranean termites is their preferred living environments. Subterranean termites nest in the ground and are commonly found in almost every state in the United States except Alaska, while drywood termites nest inside the wood they are infesting and prefer warmer, drier conditions. They are primarily found in coastal regions in the southern United States, including Florida, California, and Texas.

Subterranean termites have a critical dependency that sets them apart: subterranean termites also require soil for contact as it provides them with the necessary moisture to survive. These termites make mud tubes to tunnel through the ground and invade your home, which protects them from predators and dehydration. In contrast, drywood termites don’t dig mud tubes because they require zero contact with soil. They infest your home by air and require less moisture.

Colony Size and Destructive Potential

The scale of destruction these termites can cause varies dramatically. The reason subterranean termites do more damage than drywood termites is partly due to the size of their colonies. A typical subterranean termite colony is much larger than a drywood termite colony; subterranean termites usually number in the hundreds of thousands, while drywood termites number in the hundreds or thousands.

Since subterranean termites have larger colonies, they damage homes and businesses faster than drywood termites, even though drywood termite colonies are established inside the wood of a structure rather than in the ground outside. However, drywood termites present their own unique challenges since drywood termites form smaller colonies within the wood, such as furniture or structural timber, thereby eliminating the need for soil contact. The smaller size of their colonies results in slower growth rates. Consequently, infestations caused by drywood termites tend to spread more slowly and are often more localized.

Identifying the Signs: What Florida Homeowners Should Look For

Recognizing termite activity early can save thousands in repair costs. For subterranean termites, the first sign of subterranean termite infestation is the presence of mud tubes. These tunnels are made with termites’ saliva, soil or clay, and fecal matter, which looks like non-ridged cardboard. Signs of a subterranean termite infestation include finding discarded wings and mud tubes on exterior walls, foundations, or crawlspaces.

Drywood termites leave different clues. The common sign of a drywood termite infestation is the appearance of frass. A clear sign of a drywood termite infestation is the collection of frass on the floor or flat surface below the wood they are inhabiting. Termite frass often looks like sawdust from afar, but on closer inspection, you will be able to notice granular pellets, often varying in color. Additionally, a good indication that these termites infested your home is finding small piles of wood pellets or frass, tiny holes in wood surfaces, and discarded wings near windowsills or light fixtures.

Species Commonly Found in Florida

Florida homeowners should be aware of the specific types of termites in florida that threaten their properties. West Indian Drywood termites, which are the most common termite species in Florida, travel on-air and leave their wings around windowsills and near the home lighting fixtures. Among subterranean species, the Formosan termite is by far the most damaging type of termite. Formosan termites are known as “super termites” in comparison to the nearly 2,000 other termite species, because of their ability to rapidly consume wood and cause massive damage.

Treatment Approaches: Why One Size Doesn’t Fit All

The treatment methods for these termite types are as different as the insects themselves. Drywood termites are easier to treat. Most pest control professionals will eliminate an entire colony through the use of small-scale termiticides. Since drywood termites can infest belongings, small-scale fumigation is often used as a treatment option. This treatment can be done by bringing a piece of furniture into a pest control facility to have it treated in a special chamber or by bringing a containment unit to the location of the furniture being treated.

Subterranean termites require a completely different approach. The best way to eliminate subterranean termites is by using Sentricon. The worker termites eat poisoned bait and then go back to the termites’ nest, poisoning the rest of the colony, including the queen. Methods used in the prevention of subterranean termites such as soil treatment with termiticides do not work with drywood termites.

Professional Expertise: The ProControl Advantage

Given the complexity of termite identification and treatment, Florida homeowners need experienced professionals. ProControl Services, located in St. Lucie County, FL, specializes in rodent and termite control across the Treasure Coast. With fifteen years of experience in the pest control business in South Florida, they have established industry-specific protocols to deal with the unique pest control issues facing every type of business in the area.

What sets ProControl apart is their commitment to eco-friendly pest solutions, using environmentally responsible methods to protect your home and the surrounding ecosystem. They are often called after failed attempts by other pest control companies to get rodents and termites exterminated, demonstrating their expertise in handling challenging infestations.

Prevention: Your First Line of Defense

While professional treatment is crucial for active infestations, prevention remains your best strategy. Eliminate moisture by fixing leaks, maintaining proper draining, and using dehumidifiers in damp areas. Keep firewood, lumber, and other stored wood away from your home’s foundation; consider storing it at least 20 feet from your home and elevated off the ground.

Prevention of infestations is the most reliable way of limiting drywood damage, while for subterranean termites, it’s important to eliminate any moisture problems in your property. This includes ensuring your yard has good drainage and fixing leaky pipes promptly.

The Bottom Line

Understanding the differences between subterranean and drywood termites is crucial for Florida homeowners. While both species can cause significant damage, their distinct behaviors, habitats, and treatment requirements mean that proper identification is the first step toward effective control. When termites are found, it is very important to first confirm the species identification before taking action. Thus, to limit the misuse of pesticides, proper termite species identification is the first step to take.

Don’t wait until you see signs of damage. It is always best to schedule an annual termite inspection with a professional termite control company near you. These professionals can detect termite signs early and quickly provide your home with the appropriate termite control and prevention plan. With companies like ProControl Services offering 24/7 emergency services available and comprehensive expertise in both termite species, Florida homeowners have access to the professional support needed to protect their homes from these destructive pests.