Drywood Termite

Look for tiny round or oval exit holes (1–3 mm) and pellet piles under them; drywood pellets are hard, six‑sided and coffee‑ground brown. Alates (winged reproductives) are dark brown to black, about 6–10 mm long; finding shed wings near light sources in attics or window frames is a classic sign. Probe suspicious timber with a screwdriver or use a flashlight to inspect attic rafters, exposed beams in mountain cabins, porch posts, and antique furniture. Professionals also use moisture meters, acoustic detectors and borescopes to confirm galleries.

Piles of pellet frass near window sills or baseboards, small round exit holes, shed wings after swarming, soft or hollow‑sounding wood, sagging moldings or trim and visible swarmers inside or outside the house during late summer/fall.

Treatment choice depends on infestation size and building type. Options professionals use in Western North Carolina include: targeted local treatments (wood‑injection termiticides or foams) for isolated galleries; structural fumigation (whole‑house fumigation) to eliminate all colony members in severe or multi‑unit infestations; heat treatments for contained infestations; and borate preservative applications during renovations to protect exposed wood. Inspectors map galleries and recommend the least‑disruptive effective method; in condos or historic Craftsman homes coordination with owners/HOAs is essential. Follow‑up monitoring and spot treatments are common.

Store firewood and building lumber off the ground and at least 20–30 feet from homes (especially important for mountain cabins). Inspect second‑hand furniture and antiques before bringing them inside. Seal gaps around eaves, fascia, and window frames; repair roof and siding damage to keep wood dry. Maintain gutters and roof drainage—drywood prefer dry but accessible wood and will exploit leaks. During renovations, treat exposed framing with a borate product. Schedule annual inspections for attics and crawlspaces, particularly in older Craftsman bungalows and log structures.

They live entirely inside dry wood—attic rafters, floor joists, porch columns, log walls, picture rails, and wooden furniture. Unlike subterranean termites they do not need contact with soil and can establish colonies in elevated timber within homes.

Drywood termites are present in the Asheville/Western NC mountains but are generally less widespread than subterranean termites. They are most commonly found in older, dry structural timbers, historic bungalows, mountain cabins with exposed logs, and in used furniture. Prevalence note: {prevalence_note}