Termite Types in Hawaii: A Simple Guide

Hawaii’s tropical weather makes it a perfect place for termites, which can cause a lot of damage to homes and businesses. Understanding the different types of termites found in Hawaii is the first step to protecting your property. This guide will explain the three main types of termites in Hawaii—drywood termites, subterranean termites, and Formosan termites—and how they differ in behavior, risks, and the damage they can cause.

1. Drywood Termites

Characteristics and Behavior Drywood termites are known for being able to live without contact with soil. Unlike subterranean termites, they don’t need a lot of moisture, so they can infest dry wood. Drywood termites are often found in attics, wooden furniture, and wooden parts of the house. These termites form small colonies and can live entirely within a single piece of wood. They can survive on very little moisture, which makes them particularly dangerous for wooden structures that are not regularly inspected.

How to Identify Them

Color: Usually pale brown, with a darker head. They can sometimes be mistaken for other wood-boring insects, so it’s important to look for other signs.
Size: Workers are about 3/8 inch long, and swarmers are a bit larger. They are slightly smaller than some other types of termites, which makes them harder to notice.
Signs: They make colonies inside wood, and they are hard to find until the damage is visible. Look for pellet-like droppings (frass) and hollow-sounding wood. Drywood termites push their droppings out of small holes near where they are feeding, which often creates small piles of pellets.

Common Damage Drywood termites often attack wood in high places, like attics. If left untreated, they can cause a lot of damage. You might see piles of frass or damaged wooden furniture. The damage from drywood termites can weaken the structure of your home, especially if they infest beams or other critical supports. Because they live inside the wood, their presence often goes unnoticed until significant damage has already occurred.

2. Subterranean Termites

Species Found in Hawaii Subterranean termites are the most common and most destructive type of termite in Hawaii. They live in colonies underground and build mud tubes to reach food, which keeps them safe from open air and predators. These termites rely heavily on moisture, which means they are often found in areas with water leaks or damp soil. Their colonies can grow very large, which makes them capable of causing extensive damage in a short amount of time.

Behavior and Nesting Habits Subterranean termites need moisture to survive, so they live underground or in moist areas of your home. They travel through mud tubes to find wood, which makes it easier to spot them. Mud tubes are like highways for termites, allowing them to move from the soil to the wood they want to eat without being exposed to the air. These termites are very organized, with each colony having a clear structure, including workers, soldiers, and a queen.

How to Identify Them

Color: Workers are creamy white, and soldiers have a yellowish-brown head with strong jaws. The soldiers’ jaws are used to protect the colony from predators like ants.
Size: Workers are about 1/4 inch long, and soldiers are a bit bigger with noticeable jaws. Swarmers, which are reproductive termites, are often darker in color and have wings.
Signs of Infestation: Mud tubes along foundations or walls, damaged wood with a honeycomb pattern, and swarmers inside the house. Swarmers are often seen during the warmer months, and their presence is a clear sign of an infestation nearby.

Common Damage Subterranean termites can cause a lot of structural damage because of how aggressively they eat wood. They mainly eat the soft parts of wood, leaving a honeycomb-like pattern that weakens the wood. This kind of damage can compromise the structural integrity of your home, making it unsafe. Subterranean termites are responsible for most of the termite-related damage in Hawaii because of their large colony sizes and relentless feeding habits.

3. Formosan Termites

Overview and Challenges Formosan termites are a very aggressive type of subterranean termite. They are often called “super termites” because they have large colonies and are very destructive. Formosan termites are not native to Hawaii and can cause a lot of damage quickly. They are known to build nests both underground and above ground, which makes them especially hard to control. These termites can create nests inside walls and other structures, which allows them to spread rapidly.

How to Identify Them

Color: Similar to other subterranean termites, but with a slightly darker head. The soldiers have a more pronounced and rounded head compared to other types.
Size: Soldiers have an oval-shaped head, unlike the rectangular head of other subterranean termites, and are a bit larger. The larger size and different head shape can help distinguish them from other subterranean termites.
Behavior: They build huge colonies, sometimes with millions of termites, and create nests that hold moisture, which helps them survive above ground. Formosan termites are very aggressive feeders and can chew through wood, flooring, and even some softer metals like copper and aluminum.

How to Treat Them Because Formosan termites are so aggressive, treatment usually involves a mix of soil treatments, baiting systems, and sometimes fumigation. Homeowners in Hawaii should be very careful about watching for signs of Formosan termites since they can destroy wood very quickly. It is important to use a combination of treatments to make sure the entire colony is eliminated. Formosan termites are particularly tough to get rid of because their colonies are so large and they can build nests above ground.

Comparing Termite Types

Drywood vs. Subterranean vs. Formosan Termites

Where They Live: Drywood termites live entirely in wood, while subterranean and Formosan termites need moisture and build colonies underground. Formosan termites are unique because they can also build nests above ground, giving them more flexibility in where they can live.
Damage: Subterranean and Formosan termites are more destructive because of their large colonies and how quickly they eat wood. Formosan termites are especially dangerous because of their ability to build massive colonies and attack structures from multiple angles.
How to Spot Them: Drywood termites leave behind frass, while subterranean and Formosan termites build mud tubes that you can see on foundations and walls. Formosan termites are also known to build carton nests that can hold moisture, allowing them to survive in less ideal conditions.

How to Protect Your Home from Termites in Hawaii

Knowing the types of termites that could infest your home is important for prevention and treatment. Regular inspections, controlling moisture, and using preventive measures like barriers or baiting systems can help reduce the risk of a termite infestation. Making sure that your home is properly ventilated and fixing any leaks can go a long way in keeping termites away. Removing wood that is in direct contact with the soil and keeping firewood away from your house can also help prevent termites.

If you think you might have termites, contact a professional termite control service to figure out which type of termite you have and the best way to get rid of them. Hawaii’s warm climate makes termite control an ongoing challenge, but with the right knowledge and careful attention, you can protect your home.

Regular inspections by a professional are recommended, especially if your home has a history of termite problems. By staying proactive and addressing issues early, you can avoid the costly damage that termites can cause.