Termite Types: Species Identification, Treatment, and Cost (2026)
Four termite species are found in US homes. The species determines the treatment method and cost. Here is how to identify what you are dealing with.
Species Comparison
| Species | Treatment | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Subterranean Termites | Liquid barrier (Termidor) or bait stations (Sentricon) | $500-$2,500 |
| Drywood Termites | Spot treatment for localized infestations | $200-$800 (spot) |
| Formosan Termites | Aggressive liquid barrier plus bait station combination | $1,500-$5,000+ |
| Dampwood Termites | Fix the moisture source first (plumbing leak, drainage issue, ground contact) | $200-$1,000 (moisture remediation + limited treatment) |
Subterranean Termites
$500-$2,500
Subterranean termites live in the soil and require moisture to survive. They build mud tubes to travel between their underground colony and the wood in your home. These are the most economically damaging termite species in the US, responsible for approximately 80% of all termite damage. The queen can live 25+ years and produce thousands of eggs per day.
Geographic Distribution
All 49 continental US states. Most common species nationwide.
Signs to Look For
Mud tubes on foundation walls, damaged wood with soil in galleries, swarmers in spring
Colony Size
60,000 to 1 million workers
Damage Rate
Moderate. ~2.3 lbs of wood per day for a mature colony.
Recommended Treatment
Liquid barrier (Termidor) or bait stations (Sentricon). Often combined for maximum effectiveness.
Drywood Termites
$200-$800 (spot) / $2,000-$8,000 (fumigation)
Drywood termites live entirely within the wood they consume. They do not need soil contact and do not build mud tubes. They enter through cracks, joints, and exposed end grain. Colonies are smaller than subterranean termites but multiple colonies can infest the same structure simultaneously. The primary indicator is frass: tiny, hexagonal pellets pushed out of small holes in the wood.
Geographic Distribution
Florida (statewide), Southern California, Hawaii, Gulf Coast states, coastal Southeast
Signs to Look For
Frass pellets (six-sided, sand-grain-sized), no mud tubes, kick-out holes in wood
Colony Size
2,500 to 10,000 workers (smaller colonies than subterranean)
Damage Rate
Slower than subterranean, but damage is often concealed for years.
Recommended Treatment
Spot treatment for localized infestations. Fumigation for widespread infestations.
Formosan Termites
$1,500-$5,000+
Formosan termites are a subterranean species originally from East Asia, now established in the southeastern US. Their colonies are the largest of any termite species found in the US, sometimes containing millions of individuals. They can cause catastrophic damage in a short period. Unique to Formosan termites: they build aerial carton nests that retain moisture, allowing them to survive without direct soil contact once established. This makes them harder to treat than regular subterranean termites.
Geographic Distribution
Southeast US: Florida, Louisiana, Texas (Gulf Coast), Georgia, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama. Also Hawaii.
Signs to Look For
Extremely large mud tubes, carton nests (material made from soil, wood, and saliva), aggressive swarming in late spring/early summer
Colony Size
1 to 10 million workers (largest colonies of any US termite)
Damage Rate
Very high. Can consume 13+ ounces of wood per day. Called 'super termites' for their destructive capacity.
Recommended Treatment
Aggressive liquid barrier plus bait station combination. May require multiple treatments.
Dampwood Termites
$200-$1,000 (moisture remediation + limited treatment)
Dampwood termites are the largest termite species in the US (soldiers can be 20mm+ long). They require wood with very high moisture content to survive. Unlike subterranean termites, they do not build mud tubes. Infestations almost always indicate a moisture problem: a plumbing leak, poor drainage, wood-to-ground contact, or inadequate ventilation. Fixing the moisture source is the primary treatment. The termites will leave or die once the wood dries out.
Geographic Distribution
Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon), Northern California, parts of Florida, coastal areas
Signs to Look For
Infested wood is extremely moist, large galleries with smooth walls, larger termite bodies than other species
Colony Size
1,000 to 10,000 workers
Damage Rate
Low. Only attacks wood with high moisture content.
Recommended Treatment
Fix the moisture source first (plumbing leak, drainage issue, ground contact). Chemical treatment usually unnecessary.
Treatment Effectiveness by Species
| Treatment | Subterranean | Drywood | Formosan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liquid Barrier | Excellent | Not effective | Good |
| Bait Stations | Excellent | Not effective | Good |
| Fumigation | Kills in structure | Excellent | Kills in structure |
| Heat Treatment | Limited | Good (localized) | Limited |
| Spot Treatment | Limited | Good (small areas) | Insufficient |
What Species Is in Your State?
Primarily Subterranean
Most of the continental US: Northeast, Midwest, upper South. If you are in Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New York, Indiana, Missouri, or similar states, subterranean termites are your primary concern.
Subterranean + Drywood
Florida, Southern California, Hawaii, coastal Georgia, South Carolina. Both species are common. Treatment may need to address both.
Formosan Risk Areas
Louisiana (especially New Orleans), Gulf Coast Texas, South Florida, coastal Georgia, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Hawaii. Budget more aggressively for treatment in these areas.
Dampwood Areas
Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon), Northern California coast. Dampwood termites are a moisture problem, not a pest problem. Fix leaks and drainage first.