Drywood termites are one of the stealthiest threats to homes in South Florida. While subterranean termites often leave obvious signs—like mud tubes along foundations or damaged wood near the ground—drywood termites work quietly inside the wood itself. This makes their presence much harder to detect.

By the time most homeowners realize they have a drywood termite problem, the colony is usually well-established, and the damage can be extensive. At TORO Pest, we’ve seen countless cases where homeowners thought their homes were termite-free—only to discover thousands of dollars in hidden repairs waiting for them.

Here’s why drywood termite damage is so hard to spot, and why regular inspections are essential.

They Live Entirely Inside Wood

Drywood termites don’t need contact with soil or external moisture. They get everything they need directly from the wood they eat. That means they can:

✅ Live inside roof beams, wall studs, door frames, and wood trim
✅ Infest wood furniture, picture frames, or baseboards
✅ Remain hidden in attic spaces or behind walls

Because they spend their entire lives inside wood, they don’t build visible mud tubes or tunnels, and they rarely leave clues on the surface until the wood is seriously compromised.

Early Signs Are Easy to Miss

While drywood termites do leave signs, they are often subtle and overlooked:
• Tiny kick-out holes where they push out droppings (called frass)
• Small piles of dry, pellet-like frass on floors or windowsills
• Slight blistering or bubbling on painted wood surfaces
• Hollow-sounding wood when tapped

Unfortunately, these signs usually appear after months or years of activity, and many homeowners mistake them for minor wear or water damage.

Damage Happens Slowly—but Steadily

Unlike subterranean termites, which can destroy large areas quickly, drywood termites tend to cause slow, progressive damage. But over time, they can:
• Compromise the integrity of wooden beams and studs
• Weaken doors, windows, or flooring
• Damage valuable wood furniture or decorative pieces

Because they work in small, isolated colonies, they’re often not detected during routine maintenance or casual visual checks.

Why DIY Detection Doesn’t Work

You can’t rely on visual checks or DIY kits to catch a drywood termite infestation early. Without professional tools and experience, it’s nearly impossible to identify hidden colonies before major damage occurs.

For example, homeowners often:

❌ Miss kick-out holes because they’re too small or hidden
❌ Mistake frass piles for sawdust or dirt
❌ Fail to check attic spaces or roof beams where infestations start
❌ Tap on walls and assume no hollow sound means no problem

By the time they call in a professional, the termites have often spread to multiple parts of the home, making treatment more complex and costly.

Professional Inspections Catch What You Can’t See

At TORO Pest, our trained technicians know exactly where and how to look for hidden drywood termite activity. We use:

✅ Specialized tools to detect internal wood damage
✅ Expert visual assessments to identify early-stage infestations
✅ Moisture and vulnerability checks to locate at-risk areas
✅ Targeted treatment plans to eliminate colonies without unnecessary disruption

With a free professional inspection, you can catch problems early—long before they turn into a major financial burden.

Why Early Detection Saves You Thousands

The cost of treating a small, localized infestation is much lower than the cost of repairing widespread structural damage. Acting early means:

💲 Lower treatment costs
💲 Less invasive treatments (such as spot applications vs. full fumigation)
💲 Avoiding the need to replace beams, floors, or other major elements
💲 Preserving the value and integrity of your home

Schedule Your Free Drywood Termite Inspection Today

Don’t wait until you see visible damage—it may already be too late. Protect your home and your investment with the help of the experts at TORO Pest.

Call us today for a free inspection, and let us make sure drywood termites aren’t silently destroying your home from the inside out.