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October 22, 2026
The Palm Beach County homeowner’s guide to termites: drywood vs. subterranean
Short answer: Palm Beach County homes face two very different kinds of termites. Drywood termites live entirely inside dry wood like window frames, furniture, and attic framing, while subterranean termites (including the invasive Asian and Formosan species) live in the soil or in trees and travel into homes through mud tubes or hidden cracks. Because each type lives differently, the right termite treatment in Palm Beach County starts with correctly identifying which termite you have.
Found tiny wings on a windowsill in Boca Raton or pellets under a cabinet in West Palm Beach? This guide explains what you’re looking at, when termites are most active here, and your treatment options.
Why termites are a year-round concern in Palm Beach County
South Florida’s warm, humid climate means termite colonies don’t really take a season off. UF/IFAS researchers at the Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center stress that colonies are active all year, even though most people only notice them during swarm season (UF/IFAS, 2021).
Palm Beach County also sits in an area where several damaging species overlap. UF/IFAS describes the Asian subterranean termite as very common from Key West to West Palm Beach, and its Featured Creatures profile records established colonies in Riviera Beach, just north of West Palm Beach (UF/IFAS EDIS IN285). Add the Formosan subterranean termite and the West Indian drywood termite, and it’s easy to see why homeowners from Jupiter to Boca Raton get confused about what they’re dealing with.
On our termite control page, we break down the four termite species that most often cause problems for Florida homes: drywood termites, Asian subterranean termites, Formosan subterranean termites, and native subterranean termites.
Drywood vs. subterranean termites at a glance
| Drywood termites | Subterranean termites | |
|---|---|---|
| Where the colony lives | Entirely inside a piece of dry wood | In the soil or in live trees, foraging into structures |
| Needs soil or moisture contact? | No. Gets its moisture from the wood itself | Yes. Needs a moisture source |
| Most common sign | Small pellets (“frass”) that look like coffee grounds or sand | Mud tubes on slabs, foundations, and walls |
| Colony size | Small, but a home can have more than one colony | Large, can reach millions in mature Asian and Formosan colonies |
| Typical treatments | Spot treatment, “no-tent” treatment, or tent fumigation | In-ground bait stations or liquid termiticide barrier |
Drywood termites: the hidden tenants in your woodwork
What they are
The West Indian drywood termite is the main drywood pest in South Florida. According to UF/IFAS, it lives entirely within the wood it infests, such as structural lumber and furniture, and doesn’t need contact with soil or water (UF/IFAS EDIS IN236). Colonies are small, but a single home can have several of them.
Signs of drywood termites
- Fecal pellets (“frass”). Small, hard pellets that collect in piles under windowsills, door frames, baseboards, and furniture. UF/IFAS notes they can be cream, red, or black.
- Kick-out holes. Tiny openings in wood where termites push pellets out.
- Discarded wings. Shiny wings left behind on windowsills after a swarm.
- Blistered or peeling surfaces. Thin wood or paint that bubbles over hollowed galleries.
How they get in
Drywood termites usually arrive by flying in from a nearby infested structure during a swarm. They can also hitch a ride inside infested furniture or building materials brought in during a remodel. That’s one reason we always ask about recent renovations when we inspect a home in Delray Beach or Palm Beach Gardens.
Subterranean termites: the colony beneath (and around) your home
Subterranean termites need moisture, so they establish their colonies underground and forage into structures through the soil. UF/IFAS notes that the two invasive species, Asian and Formosan subterranean termites, can grow to millions of individuals and can also nest inside large live trees (UF/IFAS, 2022).
Asian subterranean termites
An invasive tropical species that UF/IFAS describes as very common from Key West to West Palm Beach. Colonies can infest live, healthy trees and forage underground for up to about a hundred feet from their central nest before reaching a structure (UF/IFAS, 2021).
Formosan subterranean termites
A closely related invasive species that UF/IFAS says is now distributed throughout Florida, primarily in densely populated urban areas (UF/IFAS EDIS IN278). Like the Asian subterranean termite, it builds large underground colonies and often fills voids with “carton,” a mix of soil, chewed wood, and saliva.
Native subterranean termites
Florida also has native subterranean termites. They behave similarly in that they need moisture and soil contact, but they are a different group from the invasive Asian and Formosan species.
Signs of subterranean termites
- Mud tubes. Pencil-width tunnels made of soil running up slabs, foundation walls, or through expansion joints.
- Damage packed with soil. Wood that looks layered or hollowed, often with dirt inside the galleries.
- Large indoor swarms. UF/IFAS notes that hundreds or thousands of swarmers inside usually point to an infestation in the structure (UF/IFAS EDIS IN285).
- Activity in nearby trees. Mud or carton material in a hollowing tree close to the house.
Termite swarm season in Palm Beach County (per UF/IFAS)
Swarms are when winged termites leave a mature colony to mate and start new ones, and they’re often the first sign homeowners notice. Here is how UF/IFAS describes the timing for the three key South Florida species:
| Species | When swarms typically start in South Florida | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Asian subterranean termite | Early March, at dusk | UF/IFAS, 2021 |
| West Indian drywood termite | Around April; UF/IFAS Featured Creatures lists mating flights from April to June, with flights possible any time of year | UF/IFAS, 2021; EDIS IN236 |
| Formosan subterranean termite | Late April to early May; UF/IFAS Featured Creatures describes a typical window of early April to late June, peaking in May, shortly after sunset | UF/IFAS, 2021; EDIS IN278 |
UF/IFAS sums it up this way: from March to June, termite activity is the most visible, which makes it a good time to pay attention and get a termite checkup (UF/IFAS, 2022). Weather and location shift these windows from year to year, so treat them as a guide, not a calendar.
Found wings or swarmers? What to do next
- Don’t panic, and don’t spray. Sprays can make it harder to find where termites are coming from.
- Collect a few samples. Put some swarmers or wings in a sealed bag or small jar. Ants swarm too, and the two are easy to confuse.
- Note where you found them. Wings in one spot near a light are different from wings in several rooms. UF/IFAS notes that termites can fly in from outside, but wings in multiple areas of the home are a reason to schedule an inspection (UF/IFAS, 2022).
- Look for pellets or mud tubes. These help tell drywood from subterranean activity.
- Get a professional identification. You can call us, and UF/IFAS also offers a termite identification service if you’d like to send in a sample.
For a sign-by-sign walkthrough and a room-by-room self-check, see our companion guide: Termite signs in Palm Beach County.
Termite treatment options in Palm Beach County
UF/IFAS researchers emphasize that knowing which species you have is critical before treatment, because each species is controlled differently (UF/IFAS, 2021). Here’s how the main options line up.
Treating drywood termites
- Spot or “no-tent” treatment. Targets the infested wood directly. UF/IFAS notes this can work when an infestation is limited to a single piece of wood (UF/IFAS, 2022). The catch is that every infested area has to be found.
- Structural (tent) fumigation. The structure is sealed under tarps and fumigated. UF/IFAS describes fumigation as the primary method for inaccessible or widespread drywood infestations (UF/IFAS EDIS IN236).
- Other localized methods. Heat and borate treatments can play a role in certain situations, such as treating exposed raw wood.
Q&L offers tent fumigation for drywood termites. After the inspection, we’ll explain whether tenting or a localized treatment fits what we found, and walk you through how a fumigation is scheduled and what to expect.
Treating subterranean termites
- In-ground bait stations. Stations placed around the home contain a bait that foraging termites carry back to the colony. UF/IFAS explains that baits work by disrupting molting, which can eliminate the colony over time, and that the process takes a while because termites first have to find the stations (UF/IFAS EDIS IN278).
- Liquid termiticide treatment. A treated zone is created in the soil around the structure by trenching, rodding, or drilling. UF/IFAS notes that liquid termiticides help exclude colonies from the treated area (UF/IFAS, 2022).
- Why tenting doesn’t fit here. UF/IFAS points out that fumigation is ineffective against subterranean termites because the rest of the colony, living in the soil, can simply move back in after the tent comes off (UF/IFAS, 2022).
A slab home in Boynton Beach, a two-story home in Wellington, and a waterfront property in Jupiter can each call for a different plan, which is why we talk through options after an inspection.
Prevention checklist for Palm Beach County homeowners
- Keep mulch, soil, and wood from touching the slab or siding.
- Fix roof, plumbing, and A/C condensate leaks quickly, because subterranean termites need moisture.
- Keep gutters and downspouts directing water away from the foundation.
- Store firewood, lumber, and cardboard away from the house.
- Inspect used furniture and salvaged wood before bringing it inside.
- Keep an eye on trees near the home for hollowing or mud.
- Check the UF/IFAS termite distribution map to see which species have been recorded near you.
- Schedule a professional termite inspection at least once a year, including the attic and garage.
How Q and L Pest Management approaches termites
Q and L Pest Management is a family-owned company based in Lantana, serving Palm Beach County from Jupiter to Boca Raton. We’re certified in the four major Florida pest control categories. Our approach is the same whether we’re in West Palm Beach or Delray Beach: inspect first, identify the termite, then recommend the treatment that fits. We don’t believe in “spray and pray,” and we’ll explain your options in plain language so you can decide what’s right for your home. Our termite control services cover drywood and subterranean termites, and we pair them with ongoing residential pest control for homeowners who want year-round coverage. If you’re not sure we serve your neighborhood, check our service area page. For other pests, browse our pest library.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I have drywood or subterranean termites?
Look at what the termites leave behind. Drywood termites push out small, hard fecal pellets that pile up like coffee grounds or sand below windowsills, door frames, and furniture. Subterranean termites build pencil-width mud tubes along slabs, foundations, and walls, and their damage is often packed with soil. Because the two are treated differently, the best next step is a professional inspection and identification.
When is termite swarm season in Palm Beach County?
According to UF/IFAS, Asian subterranean termites begin swarming in South Florida in early March, West Indian drywood termites become active in April, and Formosan subterranean termites begin in late April to early May. UF/IFAS describes March through June as the period when termite activity is most visible, though drywood flights can happen at other times of year.
I found termite wings on my windowsill. Does that mean my house is infested?
Not necessarily. UF/IFAS notes that winged termites can fly in from outside because they are attracted to indoor lights. Wings collecting in several areas of the home, or wings together with pellets or mud tubes, are a stronger reason to schedule an inspection. Ants also swarm, so save a few specimens in a sealed bag or jar for identification.
Will tent fumigation get rid of subterranean termites?
Generally, no. UF/IFAS explains that only part of a subterranean termite colony may be in the structure, so the rest of the colony can move back in after the tent comes off. Subterranean termites are typically managed with in-ground bait stations or a liquid termiticide treatment around the structure. Fumigation is a drywood termite tool.
Do I have to tent my home for drywood termites?
Not always. UF/IFAS notes that a localized spot treatment may be used when a drywood infestation is confined to a single piece of wood, while fumigation is the primary option when infestations are widespread or hard to reach. The right choice depends on what a thorough inspection finds.
How often should a Palm Beach County home be inspected for termites?
We recommend a full professional inspection at least once a year, including the attic, garage, and the perimeter of the home. An annual check is also a good time to correct conditions that attract termites, such as wood touching soil, mulch piled against the slab, and leaks.
Can termites infest trees in my yard?
Yes. UF/IFAS reports that both Asian and Formosan subterranean termites can nest in large live trees, where colonies can grow before foraging through the soil toward nearby structures. Trees close to the home are worth including in a termite inspection.
Book a complimentary termite inspection
Seeing wings, pellets, or mud tubes? Q&L serves homes across Palm Beach County, from Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens to Boca Raton. We’ll tell you what we find, which termite you’re dealing with, and the options that make sense for your home.
Call (561) 725-5274 or book a complimentary inspection: qandlpest.com/estimate
Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:00 PM.
Inspect first. Treat smart.
About the author
Michael Ringler, Q and L Pest Management. Q and L Pest Management is a family-owned pest control company based in Lantana and serving Palm Beach County.Q and L Pest Management LLC holds FDACS Pest Control Business License #JB333443. Services are performed under FDACS Certified Pest Control Operator John Park, certificate #JF320165.
Sources
- UF/IFAS News (2021). As Florida enters termite swarm season, UF/IFAS scientists tell consumers what to know. https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2021/03/03/as-florida-enters-termite-swarm-season-uf-ifas-scientists-tell-consumers-what-to-know/
- UF/IFAS News (2022). Termite season: UF/IFAS scientist answers common questions, corrects misconceptions. https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2022/03/30/termite-season-uf-ifas-scientist-answers-common-questions-corrects-misconceptions/
- Scheffrahn, R.H. & Su, N.-Y. Asian Subterranean Termite, Coptotermes gestroi. UF/IFAS EDIS EENY128/IN285. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN285
- Su, N.-Y., Scheffrahn, R.H., Gordon, J. & Chouvenc, T. Formosan Subterranean Termite, Coptotermes formosanus. UF/IFAS EDIS EENY121/IN278. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN278
- Gordon, J., Scheffrahn, R.H. & Su, N.-Y. West Indian Drywood Termite, Cryptotermes brevis. UF/IFAS EDIS EENY-79/IN236. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN236
- UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale REC, Termites in Florida (distribution map and sample submission). https://flrec.ifas.ufl.edu/termites-in-florida/