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Drywood termites vary in sizes depending on their state. Drywood termite soldiers are typically three-eighths of an inch in size. Both male and females measure one-half of an inch in size also.
A drywood termite tends to be brown, however, the color will vary between dark brown and light or yellow-ish tan. Winged termites of the type can be clear or smokey gray for color.
Drywood termites work through what many call a caste system. Once a queen termite finds a location to build a colony, which can often be found in rafters of a home, she chooses a mate and begins laying eggs. The eggs then hatch through time and join the working termites that eat and ultimately damage your wood. As the colony works overtime, some termites become reproductive or soldiers. Reproductive terms can be seen with wings and swarm to form new colonies. Soldier termites protect the original colony from ants and other termite species. Drywood termites feed on cellulose, similar to its counterparts. That is why you will most likely find these termites in homes, fences, and trees. Drywood termites though, eat across the grain, interestingly enough. And since they eat across the grain, the tunneling they create can lead to a building or tree collapse if the colony grows too extensively. Drywood termites can be found in parts with warm to tropical climates, that way they can feast on wood and not have to worry about the winter.
