How to Identify Termites by Region

December 01, 2025 · Regional Pest Guide Team · termites identification

Termites cause billions of dollars in damage to homes across the United States every year. But not all termites are the same — the species you’re most likely to encounter depends heavily on where you live.

Understanding which termites are common in your region is the first step toward protecting your home. Different species have different behaviors, different warning signs, and different treatment approaches.

Subterranean Termites: The Most Widespread Threat

Subterranean termites are found in every state except Alaska. They live in underground colonies that can contain millions of individuals, and they build distinctive mud tubes to travel between their colony and food sources.

Where they’re most active: The Southeast, Gulf Coast, and parts of California see the heaviest subterranean termite pressure. States like Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama are particularly high-risk.

How to identify them: Look for mud tubes along your foundation, typically about the width of a pencil. Worker termites are pale, soft-bodied insects about 1/8 inch long. Swarmers (reproductive termites) are dark brown or black with wings and appear in spring.

Warning signs:

  • Mud tubes on foundation walls, piers, or floor joists
  • Hollow-sounding wood when tapped
  • Discarded wings near windows or doors (after swarm season)
  • Bubbling or uneven paint on walls

Drywood Termites: A Coastal and Southern Problem

Unlike subterranean termites, drywood termites don’t need contact with soil. They live entirely within the wood they consume, making them harder to detect but typically slower to cause extensive damage.

Where they’re most active: Drywood termites thrive in warm, coastal areas. Southern California, Florida, Hawaii, and the Gulf Coast states see the most activity. They’re rarely found in northern states.

How to identify them: Drywood termite swarmers are larger than subterranean swarmers, typically reddish-brown with clear wings. The most distinctive sign is their frass — tiny, six-sided fecal pellets that look like sawdust or sand. You’ll often find small piles of frass below infested wood.

Warning signs:

  • Small piles of pellet-shaped droppings below wood
  • Kick-out holes in wood surfaces (tiny, round openings)
  • Swarmers appearing in late summer or fall
  • Blistering wood surfaces

Dampwood Termites: The Pacific Northwest Specialist

Dampwood termites are the largest termite species in the US, but they’re also the least likely to infest homes — as long as moisture issues are controlled.

Where they’re most active: The Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon) and parts of Northern California, as well as scattered populations in Florida and the Southwest. They require high-moisture wood.

How to identify them: Dampwood termites are noticeably larger than other species — soldiers can be 3/4 inch long with large, dark heads. They don’t build mud tubes and produce fecal pellets similar to drywood termites but more irregular in shape.

Warning signs:

  • Damaged wood that appears smooth and cleaned out
  • Infestations concentrated near moisture sources (leaky pipes, poor drainage)
  • No mud tubes present

Formosan Termites: The Super Termite

Formosan termites are actually a subterranean species, but they deserve special mention because of their extraordinary destructive potential. A single colony can contain several million termites and consume wood at a dramatically faster rate.

Where they’re most active: Originally established in the Southeast — particularly Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and the Carolinas — Formosan termites have been spreading. They’ve been found as far west as Texas and as far north as Tennessee.

How to identify them: Formosan swarmers are yellowish-brown and attracted to lights. Their colonies build distinctive carton nests — hardened structures made from soil, wood, and saliva that help retain moisture. These nests can appear in walls, attics, or even trees.

What to Do If You Suspect Termites

Regardless of your region, here’s what to do if you notice any warning signs:

  1. Don’t panic — termite damage accumulates slowly. You have time to make informed decisions
  2. Get a professional inspection — a licensed pest control company can identify the species and extent of infestation
  3. Get multiple quotes — treatment approaches and costs vary significantly between companies
  4. Address moisture issues — fix leaks, improve drainage, and reduce wood-to-soil contact
  5. Consider preventive treatments — especially if you live in a high-risk zone

Regional Risk Assessment

Region Primary Threat Risk Level
Southeast/Gulf Coast Subterranean + Formosan Very High
Southern California Drywood + Subterranean High
Pacific Northwest Dampwood + Subterranean Moderate
Midwest Subterranean Moderate
Northeast Subterranean Low-Moderate
Mountain West Subterranean (limited) Low

The best defense against termites is knowledge. Know which species are active in your area, learn the warning signs, and conduct regular inspections — especially if you live in a high-risk region.

Protecting your home from pests is just one part of homeownership. For regional lawn care tips, check out Lush Lawns — expert guides tailored to your climate.

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