Drywood Termites in Los Angeles: Signs, Damage, and Treatments

Fun Fact:

A single colony can have up to 10,000 termites, and a home can have multiple colonies located in different parts of the property such as the fence, deck, roof, sidings, dog house, etc.! Drywood termites don’t just chew through wood — they live inside it.

Signs of a Drywood Termite Infestation

As they feed, they create an intricate network of galleries and tunnels within beams, rafters, furniture, and even hardwood floor. The damage they leave is often dry, brittle, and hollowed out, which weakens the wood’s strength and can eventually lead to cracks, sagging ceilings, and even structural failure if left untreated and unrepaired. Unlike other pests that might leave a mess behind, Drywood termites make clean, smooth tunnels with few external clues — often making the wood look undamaged until it crumbles under pressure. This is why Drywood termite damage is both dangerous and expensive — you don’t know it’s happening until it’s too late.

These tiny pellets are about the size of coffee grounds and usually appear in small piles near infested areas like windowsills, baseboards, or furniture. Since Drywood termites live and feed inside the wood, they push their droppings out through tiny exit holes. This makes frass a red flag that termites are active and feeding nearby. The pellets are usually light brown or tan, with a gritty, sand-like texture. If you notice unexplained piles of what looks like sawdust or pepper beneath wood trim or along your floors, there’s a good chance it’s termite frass.

Important Tip: Many house cleaners don’t recognize termite frass and may unknowingly sweep it away without informing the homeowner. This can delay detection and lead to costly damage over time. Be sure to educate your cleaning staff to keep an eye out for these droppings — spotting them early could save your home from serious repairs!

When reproductive termites, known as swarmers, leave their colony to start new ones, they shed their wings shortly after finding a place to settle. You’ll often find these delicate, transparent wings near windowsills, door frames, vents, or light fixtures — anywhere they might have entered your home. While a few stray wings might not seem alarming, clusters of them are a strong warning that termites have already begun establishing a colony inside your home. Swarmers actively seek out light and leave their wings behind near windows, doors, and light fixtures. Unfortunately, by the time these wings are visible, termite damage may already be in progress.

When are Drywood Termites Active

In Los Angeles, Drywood termite swarmers are most active during the late summer and early fall in Los Angeles, especially after a wave of hot, humid weather. Warm temperatures and moisture trigger the swarmers to leave their original colonies in search of new nesting sites — often making their way into homes through small cracks, vents, or open windows. It’s common to see flying termites or find piles of discarded wings after particularly hot evenings. If you notice these signs, it’s important to act quickly; catching a Drywood termite infestation early can save you thousands of dollars in structural repairs.

The Serious Damage Caused by Drywood Termites

Unlike subterranean termites, Drywood termites Do NOT need soil contact or excessive moisture to survive — they can thrive right inside your home’s framework. Unfortunately, by the time obvious signs like frass or blistering paint appear, extensive and costly damage may have already occurred. That’s why regular inspections and early detection are key to preventing major repairs and protecting your property investment.

Drywood Termite Damage Video

This video highlights the serious damage termites can cause beneath a home.
We captured the footage under the house, where the infestation had already begun compromising the structural integrity. The wood is as soft as paper, easily torn apart. Keep in mind, most homeowners rarely inspect beneath their property — and unfortunately, this gives termites the perfect opportunity to thrive unnoticed for years. Homeowners often face costly repairs by the time they discover the damage. Regular inspections are key to catching problems early and protecting your investment.

Drywood Termite Treatment Options

During a termite inspection, a licensed inspector carefully examines both the interior and exterior of your home, looking for signs of termite activity and damage. This includes checking areas where termites are most likely to hide, such as around baseboards, window frames, door frames, attics, crawl spaces, garages, and even underneath the house if accessible. After the inspection, you’ll receive a full report explaining the findings, the type of termites identified (if any), the extent of any infestation, and customized treatment plans and repairs to keep your home protected.

Drywood Termite Treatments

Instead of fumigating the entire structure, the treatment is applied directly to the infested wood using methods like injections, foams, sprays, or drilling. Local treatments are minimally invasive, allowing homeowners to stay in the hose during the process.

When is Local Treatment Recommended

Local treatment is typically recommended when the infestation is isolated and limited to a small, accessible area, such as a door frame, window sill, decks, or facia boards. It’s a great option for early-stage infestations or when homeowners need a more affordable solution without full-structure fumigation. However, it’s important to understand that local treatment may not eliminate hidden colonies throughout the home if the infestation is more widespread — that’s why a thorough inspection is critical before deciding on the right approach.

The gas penetrates all areas of the structure, ensuring that even termites living in hidden galleries are exterminated. Unlike local treatments that only target visible infestations, fumigation treats the entire home at once, making it one of the most thorough and effective methods available for Drywood termite control.

When is Fumigation Recommended

Fumigation is typically recommended when there is widespread or severe infestation, or when termites are suspected to be present in multiple, inaccessible areas of the home. It’s also the best solution when localized treatments are not enough to guarantee complete eradication. If you’re seeing termite droppings (frass) in multiple locations, discarded wings in several rooms, or if an inspection reveals widespread activity, fumigation ensures a full reset — clearing the property of termites and protecting the structural integrity of your home.

Click here for more information on Fumigations

Long -Term Preventative Care Against Drywood Termites

Preventative treatments are highly recommended for:

• New homes under construction (when the wood is exposed and easy to treat)
• Homes in high-risk areas like Los Angeles, where termites are very common
• Properties that have previously been treated but want long-term protection
• Homes with wood decks, patios, fences, or additions
• Real estate transactions where a buyer wants peace of mind

By investing in preventative treatment, homeowners can avoid costly infestations and repairs down the road, maintain property value, and have greater confidence that their home is protected year-round.

Wood Repairs for Drywood Termite Damage

Preventing termites from re-infesting a home requires repairing the wood. Wood repairs involve removing, replacing, or reinforcing the damaged wood to restore the strength, stability, and appearance of the affected areas. Depending on the extent of the damage, this can range from replacing small sections of framing, fascia boards, or trim, to major structural repairs like beams, joists, or roof supports.

When is Wood Repairs Recommended

Wood repairs are highly recommended when:

• The termite damage has compromised the structural integrity of the home
• There is visible sagging, cracking, or separation in wood elements
• Termite galleries (hollowed tunnels) are found during an inspection
• You want to eliminate damaged, weakened wood that could attract future infestations
• Preparing a home for sale or refinancing (to meet inspection and appraisal standards)

At My Termite Company, we not only eliminate termites — we also specialize in expert wood repairs to make your home safe, strong, and beautiful again. Our team ensures that any replaced or repaired wood blends seamlessly with your home’s structure, preserving both its value and appearance.

What My Termite Company Can Do For You

What My Termite Company Can Do:

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