Dry wood termites are commonly known as ‘desert’ termites because they are found mostly in the northern U.S. and the Desert Southwest. They build their nests within the wood that they are infesting. They do not build mud tubes in their tunnels. 

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Dry wood termites produce microscopic “kick out” holes in the wood to force feces and residues out of the nest. Because each termite has its own set of characteristics and habits, it is critical to identify dry wood termites from the other types of termites. This article will describe the physical appearance of dry wood termites and how do they look like.

What Drywood Termites Look Like?

Drywood termites, also known as alates, have thick and large waists that are notably larger than ants. Their bodies are quite soft and have small legs. The antennae and abdomen of these dry wood termites are straight, which distinguishes them from other termites. 

Flying and swarming dry wood termites can be distinguished by the presence of conspicuous wings on their bodies. They have two sets of wings of equal length, which are near twice the termite’s body size. They have prominent mouth pinchers that protrude from their mouths. Some of them have mouthparts (mandibles) that are covered with teeth. The size of dry wood termites varies depending on their age, but they are typically 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch long.

The maturity and role of the termites within the colony determine the color of the termites in dry wood. Worker dry wood termites are cream in color and can seem white when exposed to wood. Soldier dry wood termites come in a variety of colors ranging from cream to brown. Alates, also known as reproductive or swarmer dry wood termites, can be found in various colors, including brown and black. The heads of western dry wood termite soldiers are reddish-brown.