Types of Termites in Thailand and How to Identify Them

Thailand is home to over 200 species of termites, but only a handful cause significant damage to homes and buildings. Identifying the type of termite you are dealing with is important because different species require different treatment approaches. Here is what homeowners and property managers in Bangkok need to know.

Subterranean Termites (ปลวกใต้ดิน)

Subterranean termites are by far the most destructive and common species in Bangkok. They cause more than 90 percent of all termite damage in Thailand.

How to Identify Them

• Size - Workers are small, about 3-5 millimeters, creamy white, and soft-bodied. Soldiers have darker heads with large mandibles.
• Mud tubes - The signature sign. They build pencil-width tubes of mud and saliva along walls, foundations, and pipes to travel between their underground colony and food sources.
• Swarming - Reproductive termites (alates) swarm during the early rainy season. They are dark brown to black with two pairs of equal-length wings.
• Nesting - Colonies are underground, sometimes several meters from the building they are damaging. A single colony can contain millions of individuals.

Damage Pattern

Subterranean termites eat wood along the grain, creating a layered, honeycomb pattern. The wood feels soft and appears water-damaged. You will often find mud inside the damaged wood, as they line their tunnels with soil and moisture.

Treatment Approach

Both soil treatment and bait systems are effective. Soil treatment creates a chemical barrier between the colony and your building. Bait systems eliminate the colony entirely. For severe infestations, a combination approach works best. Learn more about our termite treatment options.

Drywood Termites (ปลวกไม้แห้ง)

Less common in Bangkok than subterranean termites, drywood termites still cause significant damage, particularly to furniture, door frames, and wooden structures above ground.

How to Identify Them

• Size - Similar to subterranean termites but slightly larger. Workers are cream-colored; soldiers have reddish-brown heads.
• Frass - The key identifier. Drywood termites push small, hard, six-sided pellets (frass) out of tiny holes in the wood. These pellets accumulate in small piles below infested wood.
• No mud tubes - Unlike subterranean termites, drywood termites do not build mud tubes. They live entirely within the wood.
• Swarming - Swarmers are slightly larger than subterranean swarmers and tend to swarm at dusk, often attracted to lights.

Damage Pattern

Drywood termites eat across the grain, creating smooth, clean tunnels with no mud. The surface of the wood may look normal while the interior is completely hollowed out. Tap suspect wood and listen for a hollow sound.

Treatment Approach

Localized treatment by injecting termiticide directly into infested wood is effective for small infestations. For widespread drywood termite problems, tent fumigation may be necessary. Heat treatment is another option for specific items of furniture.

Dampwood Termites (ปลวกไม้ชื้น)

Less common in urban Bangkok but found in homes near canals, rivers, and areas with poor drainage.

How to Identify Them

• Size - The largest termites in Thailand, with soldiers reaching up to 20 millimeters. They are noticeably bigger than subterranean or drywood termites.
• Habitat - Found exclusively in very damp or rotting wood. They do not nest in soil and do not build mud tubes.
• Signs - Damaged wood is very wet and decayed. You may see them in fallen logs, damp structural timbers, or wood in contact with chronically wet soil.

Damage Pattern

Dampwood termites eat along and across the grain, creating large, smooth galleries. The damaged wood is typically soft, wet, and visibly decayed.

Treatment Approach

The primary solution is eliminating the moisture source. Fix the leak, improve drainage, or replace the waterlogged wood. Once the wood dries out, dampwood termites cannot survive. Chemical treatment is usually not necessary if the moisture problem is resolved.

Termites vs. Flying Ants: How to Tell the Difference

Many people confuse termite swarmers with flying ants. Here is how to tell them apart:

• Wings - Termite wings are all equal length and fall off easily. Ant wings come in two sizes, front pair longer than back pair.
• Body - Termites have a straight, tube-like body. Ants have a distinct narrow waist between thorax and abdomen.
• Antennae - Termite antennae are straight and beaded. Ant antennae are bent at a 90-degree angle.

If you are unsure what you are seeing, take a photo and contact us for a free identification. You can also schedule a professional inspection for a thorough assessment of your property in Sukhumvit, Silom, Sathorn, or anywhere in Bangkok.