Drywood Termite Alate

Natural Habitat

Found inside sound, dry wood above ground level, including structural lumber, furniture, and dead tree limbs; they do not require contact with the soil.

Diet & Feeding

Consumes cellulose primarily from dry wood; they use specialized protozoa and bacteria in their gut to digest lignin and cellulose.

Behavior Patterns

Alates (reproductive swarmers) emerge in large numbers to mate and start new colonies, typically in late spring or summer. Unlike subterranean termites, they live entirely within the wood they consume and create distinctive fecal pellets (frass).

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Significant structural pest that can cause extensive damage to home framing and wooden furniture. Benefits: In nature, they help decompose dead trees and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Identified on: 5/4/2026