Drywood Termites in Northwest Florida
Most homeowners in Crestview and the Florida Panhandle are familiar with subterranean termites — the species that builds mud tubes and nests underground. But drywood termites are a distinct and serious threat that behave differently, look different, and require different treatment methods. If you have ever found small piles of tiny pellets near a window or door frame and wondered what they were, you may already have drywood termites.
What Are Drywood Termites?
Drywood termites (family Kalotermitidae) are termites that live entirely within dry wood — they do not require contact with soil and do not build mud tubes. They infest structural lumber, furniture, window and door frames, hardwood floors, and roof framing. Their colonies are smaller than subterranean termite colonies but their damage can be just as severe over time because infestations often go undetected for years.
The West Indian Drywood Termite (Cryptotermes brevis) is the most common drywood species in Florida. It is widespread along the Gulf Coast and has been found in structures throughout Okaloosa, Walton, and Santa Rosa Counties.
Key Differences: Drywood vs. Subterranean Termites
Soil contact required Drywood: No | Subterranean: Yes
Mud tubes Drywood: No | Subterranean: Yes
Colony size Drywood: Small (hundreds to low thousands) | Subterranean: Very large (hundreds of thousands)
Entry point Drywood: Direct into wood via swarmers | Subterranean: From soil upward through wood
Frass (droppings) Drywood: Tiny, hard, 6-sided pellets | Subterranean: None visible externally
Treatment Drywood: Fumigation or localized wood treatment | Subterranean: Soil treatment or bait stations
Signs of Drywood Termite Infestation
- Frass piles: Small, hard, oval pellets that look like coffee grounds or sawdust pushed out through tiny kick-out holes in wood. This is the most distinctive sign of drywood termites.
- Swarmers (alates): Winged termites emerging from wood in late spring and summer. Drywood swarmers are typically lighter colored than subterranean swarmers and may be found near window frames, attic vents, or any exposed wood.
- Hollow-sounding wood: Drywood termites hollow out galleries inside wood, leaving only a thin surface layer. Tapping affected wood produces a hollow sound.
- Paint bubbling or sagging: As galleries are eaten through interior wood, paint on wood surfaces can bubble, blister, or sag.
Where Drywood Termites Are Found in Panhandle Homes
Drywood termites in Northwest Florida most commonly infest:
- Attic framing and roof sheathing
- Window and door frames — especially in older homes
- Hardwood flooring and baseboards
- Furniture — especially antiques or second-hand pieces brought in from infested structures
- Fascia boards and exterior trim
Treatment Options for Drywood Termites
Localized Wood Treatment
When an infestation is localized to a specific area — a single window frame, a section of attic framing — we can treat affected wood directly with residual insecticide injected into galleries or applied as a surface treatment. This is effective for contained infestations that are fully accessible.
Whole-Structure Fumigation
For widespread drywood termite infestations, tent fumigation is the most complete treatment method. The structure is sealed under a tent and sulfuryl fluoride gas is released throughout. All drywood termites in the structure are eliminated. Fumigation requires residents to vacate for 24 to 72 hours and all food items to be bagged or removed.
Preventative Treatment
Borate-based wood treatments applied to exposed framing during construction or renovation create a long-lasting deterrent against drywood termite infestation. If you are renovating a Crestview or Freeport home and have exposed framing, this is an excellent opportunity for preventative protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are drywood termites common in Crestview and Freeport?
Yes — drywood termites are present throughout the Florida Panhandle. Their prevalence has increased as the population has grown and more wood-framed structures have been built along the coast and inland.
Can I treat drywood termites myself?
Localized over-the-counter treatments can slow the spread of a small, accessible infestation but are unlikely to eliminate it completely. Whole-structure fumigation requires a licensed pest control operator. Call us for a professional inspection first — we will tell you honestly whether a localized treatment is sufficient or whether more extensive action is needed.
Does Sentricon protect against drywood termites?
No. Sentricon bait stations target subterranean termites that forage through the soil. Drywood termite protection requires direct wood treatment or fumigation. Many Panhandle homes benefit from both Sentricon for subterranean protection and a separate drywood termite inspection and treatment program.
Who treats drywood termites in Crestview and Freeport?
Cadenhead Services — call (850) 682-4333. We have been treating termites across Northwest Florida since 1983 and provide both localized treatments and referrals for fumigation services when needed.
If you have found frass, seen swarmers, or just want an inspection, call us at (850) 682-4333. Family-owned since 1983.
