Drywood vs. Subterranean Termites: Identification & Treatment Differences

Subterranean termites nest underground and maintain contact with soil moisture via mud shelter tubes. They are eliminated via soil trenching (Termidor SC) or perimeter baiting (Sentricon).

Drywood termites nest entirely inside sound structural timber without soil contact. They produce characteristic hexagonal fecal pellets (frass) kicked out of small pinholes.

Because drywood colonies have zero soil connection, perimeter ground trenching will not reach them; treatment requires localized structural foam injection, microwave spot treatment, or whole-structure tent fumigation with Sulfuryl Fluoride (Vikane).