Types of Termites in San Antonio
San Antonio homeowners deal with three types of termites: native subterranean termites, which nest in soil and are the type every Texas homeowner is told to watch for; Formosan subterranean termites, a larger-colony species Texas A&M has detected in Bexar County; and drywood termites, which live inside dry wood with no soil contact. Knowing which one you have matters, because soil-dwelling and wood-dwelling termites call for different treatment approaches.
Not sure which one you have? Call or text (210) 281-1064, or book an inspection and have it identified.
How many kinds of termites does San Antonio have? #
AgriLife names two major subterranean termites in Texas, the native species and the Formosan termite, plus three common drywood species. All three groups can attack a house, but they live differently, leave different evidence and swarm in different seasons. Here is how each one behaves.
Native subterranean termites (Reticulitermes) #
These are the termites AgriLife tells homeowners in every part of Texas to watch for. Colonies live in the soil, usually within the top 4 to 6 inches, and reach your house through wood touching the ground or through mud tubes built up the foundation.
- Swarmers: about 3/8 inch, dark brown to black, flying by day
- Swarm season: beginning in January and February in South Texas
- Evidence: mud tubes, wings near windows, mud-lined galleries in wood
Our subterranean termites page goes deeper into how these colonies work.
Formosan subterranean termites (Coptotermes formosanus) #
Formosan termites were first found in Texas in 1956 near the Houston Ship Channel, according to AgriLife's Formosan termite bulletin (E-367). Texas A&M's urban entomology center now lists Bexar and Comal among the counties where they have been detected.
- Swarmers: larger, about 0.5 to 0.6 inch, yellowish brown, with gold to reddish hairs on the wings
- Swarm season: at night in late spring, roughly May into June, drawn to lights
- Soldiers: teardrop-shaped heads that ooze a sticky white fluid
- Evidence: like native termites, plus possible "carton" nests inside damp walls
See Formosan termites in San Antonio for what the county records do and do not tell us.
Drywood termites (Incisitermes and Cryptotermes) #
Drywood termites skip the soil entirely. They live in dry wood above ground, such as shingles, eaves, siding, attic framing and furniture. AgriLife's drywood termite guide (E-366) says they occur throughout Texas, with the heaviest concentrations along the Gulf Coast.
- Swarmers: one common species is light yellow, about 7/16 inch, and flies at night; another is darker, about 9/16 inch, and flies by day
- Swarm season: late August and early September
- Evidence: small "kick holes" and piles of hard, six-sided pellets about 1/32 inch long
Side-by-side comparison #
| Native subterranean | Formosan | Drywood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lives in | Soil | Soil, sometimes wall nests | Dry wood above ground |
| Swarmer look | Dark, about 3/8 in | Yellowish brown, 0.5-0.6 in | Light yellow or dark, by species |
| Swarms | Daytime, winter into spring | Night, late spring | Late summer |
| Telltale sign | Mud tubes | Mud tubes, very large colonies | Pellets, kick holes |
Workers, soldiers and swarmers #
Every termite colony splits its work among castes. In subterranean termites, workers are blind, wingless and creamy white, and they are the ones eating your wood. Soldiers guard the colony with large jaws and make up only a small share of it, about 1 to 5 percent. Swarmers are the winged adults that leave to start new colonies. They are the caste most people actually see, which is why our termite swarmers page is often the first stop.
Why identifying the type changes the plan #
- Soil-based termites (native and Formosan) are usually addressed at the soil and foundation, with options such as liquid soil treatment or bait systems.
- Drywood termites are inside the wood itself, so soil treatment does not reach them. AgriLife notes that spot treatments can miss hidden colonies, and that widespread infestations are usually fumigated by a company licensed for structural fumigation, a license separate from termite control.
- Formosan termites form much larger colonies and can nest above ground where moisture allows, so moisture sources get extra attention.
How Pest Trappers identifies your termite #
A Pest Trappers technician inspects the foundation, attic, trim and any samples you have saved, then tells you which termite is present and what that means for treatment. The technician explains the options that fit, applies products only as their labels direct, and quotes the price after the inspection. Termite work is done by Pest Trappers LLC (TPCL #0887549) under its TDA termite license.
We inspect homes across San Antonio, Stone Oak and New Braunfels. For a broader overview, read the termite fact sheet.