The West Indian drywood termite (Cryptotermes brevis) is the most economically damaging drywood species in Florida and is established throughout Polk County, with confirmed infestations across Lakeland, Winter Haven, Bartow, Plant City, Lake Wales, Auburndale, Haines City, and the surrounding submarkets. Drywood colonies live entirely inside dry sound wood with no soil contact, attacking from the eave down rather than the soil up.
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Identification
- Swarmers: Reddish-brown body, ~7/16″ long, two pairs of equal-length smoky-gray wings, straight bead-like antennae. Wings have a distinctive arched anterior vein.
- Soldiers: Phragmotic head (plug-like, dark, flat front) used to block galleries. Smaller than subterranean soldiers.
- Frass pellets: Six-sided, ~1mm, looks like coarse sand or coffee grounds. Color varies with wood type (pale tan to dark brown).
- Kickout holes: Pinpoint-sized exit holes in wood through which frass is expelled. Often the only visible sign.
Where Cryptotermes brevis lives in Polk County homes
Drywood colonies require no contact with soil or external moisture. In Polk County they establish in attic rafters and trusses, fascia and soffit framing, window and door frames, baseboards and crown molding, hardwood floors, antique wood furniture, picture frames, and occasionally in wood paneling and bookcases. The Lake Wales Ridge running through Polk County is a high-pressure zone — the central Florida climate plus the abundance of imported wood furniture (especially in vacation rental and resort markets) creates continuous exposure.
Swarming behavior
Swarms peak May through August in Polk County during warm humid evenings. Swarmers fly toward lights and accumulate around interior light fixtures, windows, and sliding doors. After landing they shed their wings — piles of identical smoky-gray wings on window sills, near doors, or in light fixture covers are diagnostic. A pair of de-alate swarmers (one male, one female) finds a small crack or knot in dry wood, excavates an initial chamber, and starts a new colony. The colony grows slowly for the first 3–5 years and produces its first swarmers around year 5–7.
Treatment options
- Whole-structure fumigation (Vikane / sulfuryl fluoride) — the only treatment that achieves 100% kill throughout the structure. Required for multi-area activity or when buyer at closing requires clean WDO.
- Localized foam injection (Termidor SC, Premise) into galleries through small drill holes.
- XT-2000 Orange Oil (d-limonene) — plant-derived, effective on contact within injected galleries.
- Whole-structure or whole-room heat — core wood temperature 130–140°F for 35–60 minutes.
- Bora-Care — preventive borate treatment on exposed bare wood during construction or post-fumigation cleanup.
Related Lakeland Exterminators pages
- Drywood Termite Treatment in Lakeland — service page
- Drywood Termite Tenting in Lakeland — fumigation service
- Termite Treatment Complete Guide — pillar
- Pest Control in Polk County, FL — service overview
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I have drywood termites vs. subterranean?
Frass pellets and kickout holes = drywood. Mud tubes on foundation or pier blocks = subterranean. Both can be present in the same home.
Can drywood termites destroy a house?
Established colonies can cause meaningful structural damage over 5 to 15 years. Multi-colony infestations accelerate the timeline.
Will fumigation kill all drywood termites?
Yes, throughout the structure during the gas exposure window. Vikane leaves no residue, so future protection depends on annual inspection and quick response to new evidence.
How often should I inspect for drywood termites?
Annual WDO inspection is standard for Polk County homes. Inspect attic, fascia, window frames, and hardwood floor seams for frass piles.
How do I find a Lakeland drywood termite operator?
Enter your ZIP in the form on this page. Operators routed through this service are FDACS Category 8E licensed.
Disclaimer: Lakeland Exterminators is a local dispatch and referral service, not a licensed pest-control operator. We connect Polk County, Florida homeowners with independent, FDACS-licensed and insured pest-control companies. All inspections and treatments are performed by those independent providers, who set their own pricing, scheduling, and service terms.
Any reference to same-day, emergency, or 24/7 service describes the typical scheduling of matched independent providers and is not guaranteed; actual response times vary by provider, season, location, and demand.