Drywood Termite

Natural Habitat

Found inside sound, dry wood; unlike subterranean termites, they do not require contact with soil and are often found in attic rafters, furniture, and structural timber.

Diet & Feeding

They feed on cellulose found in wood and wood-based products. They utilize protozoa and bacteria in their gut to digest the wood.

Behavior Patterns

They live in social colonies with a caste system (queen, king, soldiers, and nymphs/workers). They are known for creating 'kick-out holes' to eject their fecal pellets (frass), which often accumulate in small piles resembling salt and pepper or sawdust.

Risks & Benefits

They pose significant risks to human structures by causing extensive structural damage over time. They have no significant benefits to the human environment, though in nature they help decompose dead wood; professional inspection is recommended due to the potential for hidden infestations.

Identified on: 4/27/2026