Pest Library
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Western Drywood Termite
Kalotermitidae
Drywood termites usually live in undecayed structural wood that has a very low moisture content. Unlike subterranean termites, they do not require contact with the soil. They not only damage wood structures, but also furniture and almost anything made of wood.
RISK LEVEL:
LOW
MEDIUM
HIGH
Risk is defined as how much damage each pest can be to you, your family, or your home
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| Class: | Order: | Family: | |
| Insecta | Isoptera | Kalotermitidae | |
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| Size: | Western drywood termite swarmers are about 7/16-1/2 in (11-12.5 mm) long, including wings, which are 3/8 in (8.5 mm) or longer. |
| Color: | Swarmer of western drywood termite: head and pronotum are orange brown, abdomen is dark brown, wing membrane and pigmented veins are blackish. Soldier: head is orange to reddish brown with a whitish eye spot. |
| Characteristics: | Soldier of western drywood termite: forehead slopes down gradually from top of head, which is flattened to slightly rounded in side view; antenna has 3rd segment which is enlarged and club-like; pronotum is as wide or wider than head as viewed from the top. The western drywood termite produces usually hard pellets, less than 1/32 in (1 mm) long, long, oval shaped with rounded ends, 6 concave sides. |
| Geographic Range: | Dampwood termites are found in Pacific and adjacent states, the desert or semi-arid southwest, and southern Florida. |
| Food: | Wood. |
| Biology: | Dampwood termites are not subterranean, and do not require contact with damp ground (except for desert dampwood termites). They do need damp wood, such as that in contact with the ground or constant moisture. They do not usually burrow in soil. Swarming time varies depending on the family. Check locally known species for specific information on swarming time. Swarmers excavate a chamber in wood, enter, seal it off, mate, and the female (queen) lays eggs. There is no worker caste; immatures do the work. |
- Be alert during the spring or fall for these pests.
- Examine moist, small crevices in your home and look for mud tubing inside crevices or emanating from it.
- Check for walls that sound hollow in places- evidence of tunneling.
- Watch out for swarmers, workers, or soldiers.