Drywood termite
Incisitermes and Cryptotermes spp.
Lives inside dry wood with no soil contact, coastal CA/AZ and the southern tier.
Where they live
Drywood termites live in coastal and southern California, Arizona, Hawaii, and the coastal Southeast through the Gulf. Because they need no soil contact, they infest attics, framing, furniture, and trim directly.
When they swarm
They swarm on warm late-summer and fall days, flying straight out of infested structural wood rather than up from the ground.
Signs of an infestation
Small piles of six-sided fecal pellets (frass) below tiny 'kick-out' holes, discarded wings, and blistered paint over hollowed wood.
How they're treated
Localized drywood infestations are spot-treated; widespread ones are handled with whole-structure fumigation ('tenting') or heat treatment.
Think you have drywood termites?
An inspection is the only way to be sure. We can connect you with a vetted local termite pro for a free, no-obligation quote.
Other termites: Subterranean termite, Formosan termite, Desert subterranean termite.