Have you found termite damage in your home, and there is a pile of dry timber-coloured pellets? This could be from Drywood Termites and are called frass (faecal pellets).

Now, don’t get confused with Black Ant debris. Ants will biff out their rubbish and leave a pile of seed kernels, pieces of timber, deceased ant bodies and any other unrequired material. If you can rub this debris between your fingers, it will feel gritty and coarse. Whereas, Drywood termite frass feels smoother and regular in shape.

If you are confused, send us a close-up photo. Send a request

Should you be concerned? YES

Termites eat timber - your house! The thing with Drywood Termites is that they are very hard to detect and eradicate. Unlike Subterranean Termites, they don’t need a source of moisture to fuel them and don’t need to be in contact with the ground. They can be chewing away inside your home; you wouldn’t know it.

There are two types of Drywood Termites found in Queensland - Native and West Indian. Native Drywood Termites are less destructive as their colony size is small and the area of damage is topical, generally isolated to one area. Whereas the introduce West Indian Drywood Termite can develop into a very large colony and cause considerable damage.

The West Indian Drywood Termite was first discovered in Maryborough in 1966 and in Brisbane in the late 1970s. They are known as the world’s most destructive Drywood Termites. They caused considerable economic damage to timber-in-service (structures like houses and commercial properties).

Scientific names

• Cryptotermes brevis - West Indian
• Cryptotermes primus - native Drywood Termite - (relatively widespread and common in the sapwood of house stumps and tree stumps)

Description & Identification of Cryptotermes Brevis - West Indian

• Alates: winged reproductive Queens and Kings

  • Have a pair of hairless membranous wings about equal size
  • The body is medium brown.
  • about 11mm long with wings
  • Wings detach on landing.

• Soldiers: They have large brown heads - the ugliest termite!

  • Have a white body
  • about 4–5mm long
  • The dark head, which is plug-like and deeply wrinkled
  • Head is about 1.4mm wide.

• Recognise infestations by piles of frass (faecal pellets) associated with timber. These may conceal extensive termite galleries.

  • Hoop pine is characteristically reddish brown, gradually turning black with age.
  • is typically more prominent and more pointed than that produced by the native drywood termite, C. primus
  • It is distinguishable from ant debris, which contains fibres or parts of dead insects.

• Timber close to the frass pile will have a small hole (1mm diameter), but this may be sealed and difficult to see.

The timber they are commonly found in:

• pine, especially hoop pine (old VJ’s and floorboards)

• cabinet woods such as

  • maples (Flindersia species)
  • red cedar (Toona australis)
  • Silky oak (Grevillea robusta).

Drywood Termite inspection | check

The regular termite inspection for subterranean termites specifically excludes Drywood Termites. There are no Australian Standards on how to inspect and treat Drywood Termites. The detection devices used for Subterranean Termites measure moisture and temperature variations. Drywood Termites activity doesn’t give these signatures.  So it is vitally important that you use a company with experience and knowledge. But if you know the habits of drywood termites as well as check regularly yourself, this will be the best protection against these pests.

Treatment for Drywood Termites

If you have found Native Drywood Termite activity, removing the affected timber(s) is the best way to eradicate it. Remember, Native Drywood Termites are very topical in their infestation. Usually, only one floorboard or in one specific area.

If you suspect you have found West Indian Drywood Termites (WIDT) on your property, collect a sample of the frass or termite wings and, if possible, several soldiers. Call us to arrange a special inspection now on 1300 417 007.

Or contact the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries  Customer Service Centre for advice.

Suppose it is WIDT under the Queensland Biosecurity Act 2014. In that case, the monitoring and fumigation treatment costs are free for the homeowner once the relevant personal in the Queenslanpersonnelment of Agriculture and Fisheries has confirmed it.

Resources and research

Find out more about drywood termites in Queensland.

Please read about the Prevention and control program for West Indian drywood termites to manage and reduce the pest in areas where it’s detected, and prevent its spread in Queensland.

Distinguish between subterranean and drywood termites.

If you have a concern and want to speak to a company that can detect and topically treat WIDT, call us now on 1300 417 007