Subterranean Termites vs Drywood Termites: Key Differences Florida Homeowners Should Know

By Anna V., Content Manager | Reviewed by Senior Pest Technician Team, McCall Pest & Wildlife | Updated May 2026

Not all termites are the same — and in Florida, knowing which type you’re dealing with can mean the difference between an effective treatment and a costly misdiagnosis. Subterranean termites and drywood termites are the two most common termite species in Florida, but they behave differently, damage homes differently, and require different treatment approaches.

Both species are active across Florida year-round. Both can cause serious structural damage if left untreated. But their habits, warning signs, and vulnerabilities are distinct — which is exactly why correct identification matters before any treatment begins.

Why Identifying the Right Termite Matters

Termite damage costs American homeowners an estimated $5 billion annually — and much of that damage goes undetected until it becomes severe. In Florida, where termite pressure is among the highest in the country, the stakes are even higher.

Choosing the wrong treatment for the wrong termite species wastes money and time while the infestation continues to grow. A soil treatment designed for subterranean termites does nothing to address a drywood colony living inside attic framing. A spot-treatment for drywood termites won’t stop subterranean termites tunneling up through your foundation. Accurate identification is step one.

What Are Subterranean Termites?

Subterranean termites live in the soil and depend on moisture to survive. They build massive underground colonies — sometimes containing hundreds of thousands to several million individual termites — and travel up to access wood in structures above ground. To protect themselves from exposure and dehydration during travel, they construct distinctive mud tubes along surfaces.

In Florida, the most common subterranean species include:

• Eastern subterranean termite (Reticulitermes flavipes) — the most widespread termite in the United States; found throughout all of Florida and responsible for the majority of termite damage claims
• Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus) — sometimes called the “super termite”; its colonies can reach several million workers and consume far more wood per day than Eastern subterranean colonies; more prevalent in South Florida

Subterranean termites are drawn to wood-to-soil contact, moisture problems, and structural wood that is exposed, aged, or compromised. Florida’s high rainfall, humidity, and soil conditions create near-ideal habitat for these colonies year-round.

What Are Drywood Termites?

Drywood termites are fundamentally different in how they live and cause damage. Rather than building underground colonies and traveling up to reach wood, drywood termites live entirely inside the wood they’re consuming. They don’t need contact with soil or external moisture — they extract the moisture they need directly from the wood itself.

Drywood termite colonies are much smaller than subterranean colonies, typically ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand individuals. Their smaller colony size means damage accumulates more slowly — but it also means infestations can go undetected for years, especially in attic framing, window trim, door frames, and wood furniture.

The most common drywood species in Florida is the West Indian drywood termite (Cryptotermes brevis), which is most prevalent in coastal areas and South Florida. The southeastern drywood termite (Incisitermes snyderi) is also found throughout the state.

Subterranean Termites vs Drywood Termites: Side-by-Side Comparison

Here’s a quick-reference comparison of the two species and how they behave:

Signs of a Subterranean Termite Infestation

Subterranean termites leave behind more visible clues than drywood termites, largely because of how they move between the soil and your home’s wood:

• Mud tubes — pencil-width tunnels made from soil and termite saliva, running along foundations, walls, piers, or interior surfaces; these are the most definitive sign
• Hollow-sounding wood — tap on wooden surfaces; subterranean termites eat wood from the inside out, leaving a paper-thin outer layer
• Soft or damaged wood near the ground, crawl spaces, or basement areas
• Swarmers (winged termites) emerging in spring — discarded wings near windows or light sources are a strong indicator of an active, mature colony nearby
• Moisture stains or bubbling paint on walls, sometimes mistaken for water damage

Signs of a Drywood Termite Infestation

Drywood termite infestations are often harder to detect because there are no mud tubes and no connection to soil. Watch for:

• Frass piles — tiny, hexagonal, pellet-shaped droppings that drywood termites push out of small holes in infested wood; typically found on windowsills, below furniture, or on attic floors
• Small round kickout holes in wood surfaces where frass is expelled
• Swarmers near light sources, especially from upper-story windows or attic areas
• Blistered or rippled wood surfaces in furniture, window frames, or structural beams
• Structural wood damage in attic spaces that appears “clean” — drywood termite galleries are smooth-walled, unlike the mud-coated galleries of subterranean termites

Which Termite Causes More Damage?

In terms of speed and scale, subterranean termites are more destructive — particularly the Formosan subterranean termite, which is capable of consuming a pound of wood per day in mature colonies. Their massive colony sizes, aggressive feeding, and continuous access through soil make them the primary driver of catastrophic structural damage in Florida homes.

That said, drywood termites should never be dismissed. Their slower damage timeline means infestations often go unnoticed for years — sometimes until a homeowner notices structural softness during a renovation, or until swarmers appear. By the time symptoms become obvious, the interior of structural beams, rafters, or furniture may already be significantly hollowed out.

Both species threaten Florida homes. The EPA notes that termites cause billions of dollars in structural damage annually — the majority of which is not covered by standard homeowner’s insurance policies. Prevention and early detection are the only reliable protections.

Termite Treatment Options by Species

Treatment approach depends entirely on which species is present — another reason why professional identification is essential before any work begins.

For subterranean termites:

• Liquid soil treatments — termiticide applied around and beneath the foundation creates a chemical barrier that kills termites as they travel between soil and structure; highly effective for Eastern and Formosan subterranean termites
• Bait systems — bait stations installed around the perimeter attract foraging workers, which carry the bait back to the colony; slower to work than liquid treatments but effective for long-term colony elimination and monitoring

For drywood termites:

• Spot treatments — targeted application of termiticide directly into drilled entry points; effective for small, localized infestations
• Whole-structure fumigation (tenting) — the most thorough treatment for extensive drywood infestations; requires the home to be vacated for 2–3 days but reaches termites in every part of the structure, including areas impossible to treat with spot methods

Florida’s Termite Problem: What Homeowners Need to Know

Florida is one of the most termite-prone states in the country. The combination of year-round warmth, high humidity, and frequent rainfall creates conditions that support active termite colonies in virtually every part of the state — from Jacksonville and Gainesville in the north to Tampa, Orlando, and Miami further south.

Unlike northern states where termite activity slows during winter, Florida’s mild winters allow both subterranean and drywood colonies to remain active and feeding throughout the year. This means Florida homeowners don’t have a seasonal “break” from termite pressure — and damage accumulates continuously without treatment or preventive protection.

For Florida homes specifically, professional termite treatment combined with an annual inspection plan is the most reliable way to stay ahead of both subterranean and drywood termite threats.

When to Call a Professional Termite Control Company

DIY termite treatments are rarely effective for established Florida infestations. If you’re seeing any of the following, a professional inspection is warranted immediately:

• Mud tubes anywhere on your home’s interior or exterior
• Frass piles near wood surfaces, windows, or furniture
• Swarmers (winged termites) inside or immediately outside your home
• Hollow-sounding wood, soft spots in flooring, or buckling ceilings
• Structural wood that appears chewed, damaged, or channeled
• You haven’t had a termite inspection in more than a year

McCall Pest & Wildlife’s termite technicians are trained to identify both subterranean and drywood species, locate active infestation zones, and recommend the treatment strategy most appropriate for your home and the specific termite type involved. We serve homeowners throughout Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, Gainesville, and across Florida’s major metropolitan areas.

Frequently Asked Questions About Subterranean and Drywood Termites