Termites are one of the worst pests for homeowners because they can cause significant damage before you even notice them. The two most common types that invade homes in Louisiana are subterranean termites and drywood termites. While both eat wood, their nesting habits, behaviors, and treatment needs are different.
Knowing these differences can help you protect your home and choose the best termite control method.
Key Takeaways
- Subterranean termites live underground in big colonies, while drywood termites live inside wood in smaller colonies.
- Subterranean termites make mud tubes and damage wood fast, while drywood termites damage wood slowly over time.
- Subterranean termites leave mud tubes and hollow wood, while drywood termites leave frass, tiny holes, and droppings.
- Professional pest control helps stop termite damage with inspections, treatments, and long-term protection to keep homes safe.
SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES VS. DRYWOOD TERMITES: KEY DIFFERENCES
Both types of termites survive by eating cellulose, the food source found in wood, using their strong mandibles to chew through it.
Here’s a quick breakdown of their key differences:
| Features | Subterranean Termites | Drywood Termites |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Dark brown or cream-colored | Light brown to dark brown |
| Common Locations | Underground in termites nests, traveling through mud tunnels. | Inside drywood |
| Colony Size | Large subterranean termite colonies with millions of worker termites. | Small drywood termite colonies, usually a few thousand. |
| Damage Speed | Causes significant damage quickly. | Damage spreads slower but still weakens wood over time. |
| Locations in the Home | Crawl spaces, wooden structures, and damp areas. | Windowsills, furniture, and attic beams. |
Signs of Subterranean Termite Infestations
Subterranean termites are the biggest threat to homes. Keep an eye out for these early warning signs:
- Mud tubes along walls, foundations, or wooden posts.
- Hollow or softwood that sounds empty when tapped.
- Blisters in flooring.
- Swarmers (winged termites) around lights or windows.
A particularly aggressive type, Formosan termites, are common in Louisiana and can destroy homes even faster than other species of termites.
Signs of Drywood Termite Infestations
Unlike subterranean termites, drywood termites don’t need contact with soil. Here are some signs to watch for:
- Frass (resembles sawdust) near baseboards, furniture, or windowsills.
- Small holes in wood where termites push out droppings and excrement.
- Fecal pellets found near infested woods.
- Flying termites (swarming alates) indoors.
Since drywood termite colonies are smaller than subterranean termite colonies, they cause damage at a slower rate. However, over time, their presence can still weaken your home’s structure.
HOW TO TREAT A TERMITE INFESTATION
Subterranean Termite Treatment Options
The best way to stop termite damage is to act fast. Here are the termite treatment options that can help protect your home:
- Liquid Termite Killers – A barrier treatment that kills termites as they try to enter your home.
- Termite Bait Stations – It lures worker termites, which take poison back to their entire colony.
- Regular Termite Inspection – A pest control company can check for new colonies before they get worse.
Drywood Termite Treatment Options
Getting rid of drywood termites takes the right approach. Depending on the size of the infestation, here are a few treatment options that can get the job done:
- Fumigation – Also known as tenting, it’s the best way to eliminate a drywood termite infestation in an entire home.
- No-Tent Termite Treatment – A targeted method that allows you to stay in your home.
- Spot Treatments – Direct application of a termite killer into infested wood.
PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM TERMITES BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE
If you’re seeing signs of termite activity, don’t wait until the structural damage gets worse.
At LaJaunie’s Pest Control, we know how destructive termites can be, and we’re here to help. Our expert team offers termite inspections, customized termite treatment plans, and long-term pest management to keep your home safe.
Give us a call today to schedule your free termite inspection!