Termites represent a concern for property owners across Texas due to their capacity for causing structural damage. These insects are often secretive, living hidden within the soil or inside wood, which makes visual identification challenging. Correctly identifying the type of termite present is the first step toward effective mitigation. Understanding the physical appearance and unique indicators of different species is important for early detection.
Subterranean Termites: Appearance and Indicators
Subterranean termites, including native species and the invasive Formosan termite, are the most widespread and destructive group in Texas. Workers make up the majority of the colony; they are small, soft-bodied, and creamy white or pale. These workers consume wood and maintain the colony structure, though they are rarely seen outside.
The soldier caste is identifiable by its larger head and powerful mandibles used for defense. Native subterranean soldiers usually possess a rectangular head, while Formosan soldiers are distinguished by a tear-drop or egg-shaped head. Soldiers may also exude a white defensive secretion when disturbed.
Reproductive termites, known as swarmers or alates, are the caste most frequently observed. These winged individuals are darker, ranging from tan to yellowish-brown, and are sometimes mistaken for flying ants. A defining feature of all termite swarmers is that their four wings are approximately equal in size and length.
The most recognizable sign of infestation is the presence of mud tubes. These pencil-sized tunnels are built from soil, wood particles, and saliva. The tubes allow termites to travel between their underground colony and their food source without exposure to open air or light. Finding these structures along foundations, walls, or pipes suggests an active subterranean presence.
Drywood Termites: Appearance and Identification Clues
Drywood termites do not require contact with soil to survive. They establish their colony directly within the dry wood they consume, such as structural timbers or furniture. Drywood termite bodies are generally darker than subterranean workers, often appearing light to dark brown.
Drywood swarmers are larger than subterranean swarmers and have four wings of equal length. Their wings are often longer than their body and may appear smoky or translucent with visible veins. Unlike subterranean species, drywood termites leave behind no mud tubes.
The definitive clue for identifying a drywood infestation is the presence of frass, which is the termite’s fecal matter. These droppings are expelled through small “kick-out” holes and accumulate in small, granular piles. Frass pellets are hard, dry, and often hexagonal, resembling tiny grains of sand or sawdust. The color of the frass typically matches the color of the wood the termites are digesting.
Termites vs. Ants: Key Physical Differences
Homeowners often confuse termite swarmers with flying ants, as both insects emerge in large numbers and have wings. Examining three distinct physical features can help differentiate them.
The first difference is the antennae structure: termites have straight antennae that appear like a string of tiny beads. Flying ants possess elbowed antennae that bend sharply at a 90-degree angle.
The second difference is the shape of the body or “waist.” Termites have a broad, uniform body where the thorax and abdomen are connected in a straight line. Flying ants have a distinct, pinched waist that creates a narrow separation between the thorax and the abdomen.
A close inspection of the wings provides the third identifier. All four wings on a termite swarmer are nearly identical in size and shape, and they are usually much longer than the termite’s body. Flying ants have two pairs of wings that are unequal in size, with the front pair longer than the back pair. Termite swarmers shed their wings quickly after swarming, so finding small piles of discarded wings indicates termite activity.