When most Miami homeowners think about termites, they often imagine subterranean colonies chewing away at foundations. But another major threat lurks above ground: drywood termites. Unlike subterranean termites, which require soil contact and moisture, drywood termites live entirely within wood—and Miami’s warm, coastal environment creates ideal conditions for them to thrive.
This article explains why drywood termites are such a challenge for Miami homeowners, how to recognize their presence, and what prevention strategies work best in coastal homes.
Why Miami Is Especially Vulnerable to Drywood Termites
Miami’s subtropical climate provides year-round warmth and high humidity—perfect for sustaining drywood termite colonies. But there are several Miami-specific factors that increase risk:
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Coastal environment: Salt air and constant humidity make wood more porous and appealing to drywood termites.
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Older homes and wood trim: Miami’s historic neighborhoods often feature wooden siding, decorative trim, and attics filled with untreated wood.
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Furniture and imported wood products: Drywood termites can infest furniture, picture frames, and cabinetry, which are common in Miami homes with tropical décor.
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Year-round activity: Unlike in northern states, Miami never gets cold enough to slow termite reproduction.
For these reasons, drywood termites are a persistent problem across both inland neighborhoods and coastal areas like Miami Beach, Coral Gables, and Key Biscayne.
How Drywood Termites Differ from Subterranean Termites
Drywood termites are especially common in Miami’s coastal and subtropical neighborhoods, where warm conditions allow them to thrive throughout the year. Unlike subterranean termites, which rely on soil contact and external moisture, drywood termites spend their entire lives inside wood. They draw the moisture they need directly from the wood they consume. Their colonies are much smaller than subterranean ones, but because they can spread across multiple wood structures in a home, they are often harder to detect until significant damage has occurred.
Signs of Drywood Termite Infestation in Miami Homes
Drywood termites are often called “silent invaders” because their activity is easy to miss. Common warning signs include:
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Frass (droppings): Tiny, wood-colored pellets pushed out of small holes in furniture, baseboards, or attics.
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Kick-out holes: Pin-sized openings in wood where termites expel frass.
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Discarded wings: Piles of wings left behind after swarmers emerge, usually near windows or light fixtures.
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Blistered or cracked paint: Termites tunneling just beneath the surface can cause bubbling paint or thin cracks.
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Noises in the wood: In rare cases, faint clicking or rustling may be heard as termites chew or soldiers signal danger.
Since Miami homes often feature wood-framed windows, decorative moldings, and outdoor wood structures, these signs may appear in multiple areas simultaneously.
How Drywood Termites Enter Miami Homes
Unlike subterranean termites, which usually enter through soil-to-wood contact, drywood termites invade homes from the air.
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Swarmers fly into attics, vents, or small cracks in siding.
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Colonies start in roof beams, wooden furniture, or decorative trim.
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Furniture bought second-hand or moved from an infested property can introduce termites.
This makes coastal homes with open windows and tropical breezes especially vulnerable in Miami.
The Cost of Drywood Termite Damage in Miami
Drywood termites consume wood slowly compared to subterranean termites—but their infestations often go unnoticed for years. By the time they’re detected, repairs may be costly.
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Furniture replacement: Infested wooden furniture often cannot be salvaged.
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Attic damage: Drywood termites in rafters or beams can compromise roof integrity.
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Interior trim and walls: Decorative wooden features often need full replacement.
For Miami homeowners, costs for these repairs can range from a few thousand dollars for localized damage to tens of thousands for widespread infestations in attics or structural timbers.
Treatment Options for Drywood Termites in Miami
1. Spot Treatments
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How it works: Insecticides or foams are injected directly into infested wood.
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Best for: Localized infestations in furniture or trim.
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Limitations: May miss hidden colonies in inaccessible areas.
2. Fumigation (Tenting)
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How it works: The entire home is enclosed in a tent and fumigated with gas to eliminate termites throughout.
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Best for: Widespread infestations or when colonies are hidden in multiple areas.
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Miami relevance: Common in coastal neighborhoods where drywood infestations spread easily.
3. Preventive Wood Treatments
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How it works: Borate solutions applied to wood prevent termites from digesting it.
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Best for: Protecting attics, crawl spaces, and exposed beams.
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Miami relevance: Effective for homes with wooden roofing structures, especially in humid areas.
Preventive Strategies for Miami Homeowners
Prevention is always more cost-effective than repairs. Here’s what works best in Miami:
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Seal entry points: Caulk cracks in siding, soffits, and around windows.
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Treat exposed wood: Use borate products in attics and crawl spaces.
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Schedule annual inspections: Miami homes should be checked yearly for both subterranean and drywood termites.
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Be cautious with second-hand furniture: Inspect before bringing it into your home.
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Maintain good ventilation: Reduce humidity in attics with fans or dehumidifiers.
These steps not only reduce the risk of drywood infestations but also provide a solid foundation for overall termite prevention in Miami.
Final Thoughts
Drywood termites present unique challenges for Miami homeowners—especially those in coastal areas where warm, humid, and salty conditions allow colonies to thrive. Unlike subterranean termites, drywood termites don’t need soil contact, making them harder to detect and often overlooked.
By learning the signs of infestation, taking preventive measures, and scheduling regular inspections, Miami homeowners can reduce the risk of costly damage. And if an infestation is already present, fumigation or targeted treatments can eliminate colonies before they spread further.
For a deeper dive into drywood termite biology and control, see the National Pesticide Information Center’s fact sheet on drywood termites , a resource maintained by Oregon State University in partnership with the U.S. EPA.