Do Termites Eat Drywall?

If you’ve noticed bubbling paint or small pinholes in your walls, you may wonder: Do termites eat drywall? The answer is yes. Termites can and do feed on parts of drywall, and the damage they cause can spread fast if not treated.

In Florida, where termite activity is a constant threat, drywall becomes an easy target. Drywall contains cellulose, the main food source for termites. When they find it, they won’t hesitate to chew through.

This article will explain why termites eat drywall, how to spot signs of termite damage, and what you should do next to protect your home.

Key Takeaways

• Termites feed on drywall paper for its cellulose content.
   
• Subterranean termites and drywood termites cause the most damage to drywall.
   
• Early warning signs include bubbling paint, mud tubes, small holes, and termite droppings.
   
• A licensed pest control company can help eliminate the termite infestation and protect your home.
   
• Regular termite inspection and termite control services help prevent future problems.

Why Do Termites Eat Drywall?

Drywall (also called Sheetrock) consists of a gypsum core between two layers of paper. The outer drywall paper contains cellulose, which makes it attractive to termites.

Termites eat cellulose because it provides the nutrients they need. They will tunnel through drywall to reach other materials, but they often consume the paper layer as they go.

Drywall alone won’t satisfy a termite colony, but it offers an easy path to your home’s framing, wall studs, and wooden structures, all prime termite food.

Types of Termites That Eat Drywall

Several types of termites target drywall in Florida homes. Knowing which ones are active helps guide the right termite treatment.

Subterranean Termites

Subterranean termites live underground and form large colonies. They build mud tubes to stay moist as they travel from the soil to your home.

Once inside, they chew through wood, baseboards, and drywall paper. Their mud tubes often appear on exterior walls or in crawl spaces.

Subterranean termites can cause significant damage quickly. In Florida, Formosan subterranean termites are a growing threat. These termites can consume several pounds of wood in a short time.

Drywood Termites

Drywood termites don’t need soil contact. They infest wood and drywall directly.

Unlike subterranean termites, drywood species live and feed inside the material. You might not see mud tubes, but you will often find frass (tiny pellets of termite waste).

Drywood termites create small holes in drywall as they push frass out of their tunnels. These holes often appear near baseboards, windows, or door frames.

Signs of Termite Activity in Drywall

Termites rarely make their presence obvious. However, if you know what to look for, you can catch an infestation early.

Here are common signs of termite damage in drywall:

Bubbling or Peeling Paint

Termites feeding behind drywall destroy the paper layer. This damage can trap moisture between the drywall and paint.

As a result, the paint may bubble, peel, or blister. Many homeowners mistake this for water damage when it could be an active termite problem.

Pinholes and Small Holes

Tiny pinholes in drywall often signal termite activity. Termites chew through the drywall paper and create small holes to push out frass.

If you see new holes in walls or ceilings without a clear cause, call for a termite inspection.

Mud Tubes

Subterranean termites build mud tubes to travel safely between the soil and their food source.

Look for these pencil-sized tubes on exterior walls, near baseboards, or in crawl spaces. Finding mud tubes is a strong sign of an active termite infestation.

Termite Droppings (Frass)

Drywood termites leave behind frass, tiny pellets that resemble sawdust or coffee grounds.

You’ll often find frass on window sills, inside cabinets, or at the base of walls. If you see unexplained piles of dust, you likely have termites.

Hollow Sound When Tapping

Tap on drywall or wood trim with a screwdriver or knuckles. If it sounds hollow or papery, termites may have eaten away the material inside.

Peeling Paint and Blistering

Peeling paint may also result from termites tunneling behind drywall. As they destroy the paper layer, the bond between the paint and the wall weakens.

Discarded Wings

During swarm season, swarmers (winged termites) leave the colony to start new nests. You might find discarded wings near baseboards, windows, or light fixtures.

Structural Damage

Over time, untreated termite activity leads to structural damage. In severe cases, termites weaken wall studs, joists, and framing behind drywall.

If doors or windows stick or walls sag, you may have extensive damage.

How Termites Enter Drywall

Understanding how termites reach drywall can help you prevent future problems.

Entry Points

Subterranean termites enter homes through:

• Mud tubes along foundations
   
• Cracks in concrete slabs
   
• Gaps around plumbing and utility lines
   
• Openings in exterior walls or crawl spaces
   

Drywood termites can enter through:

• Gaps around doors and windows
   
• Vents or attic spaces
   
• Infested furniture or building materials
   

Why They Stay

Once inside, termites stay hidden. They build galleries behind walls, where they can feed and spread undetected.

In humid Florida homes, drywall stays damp enough to attract termites. Improper ventilation or water damage makes the problem worse.

How to Get Rid of Termites in Drywall

If you suspect termites, don’t wait. Termites will keep eating as long as food is available.

DIY Methods Fall Short

Many homeowners try DIY treatments. Store-bought sprays or foams might kill some termites, but they won’t reach the colony.

Without eliminating the source, termites will return.

Professional Termite Control Options

A licensed pest control company offers proven solutions:

1. Termite Inspection

A thorough termite inspection identifies the type of termite, location of activity, and extent of termite damage.

At Native Pest Management, we perform complete inspections to build the right treatment plan.

2. Liquid Termiticides

Liquid termiticides create a chemical barrier around your home. This stops subterranean termites from entering and kills those already inside.

3. Bait Stations

We install bait stations around your home. Termites feed on the bait and bring it back to the termite colony, eliminating it at the source.

4. Localized Treatment for Drywood Termites

For drywood termites, we apply foam or dust treatments directly into wall studs, drywall, and other infested areas.

In many cases, we can treat without tenting or fumigation, using targeted methods.

Why Regular Inspections Matter

In Florida, termite risk remains high all year. Even after treatment, new colonies may target your home.

Regular inspections help catch new termite activity early. They also ensure that termite control measures stay effective.

We recommend an annual inspection for most homes. If your property has a history of termite infestation, more frequent checks may be wise.

Preventing Termite Problems in Drywall

Prevention works best when combined with professional pest control. Here are steps you can take:

• Eliminate excess moisture: Fix leaks and improve ventilation.
   
• Keep wood away from your home’s exterior.
   
• Use treated wood for construction and repairs.
   
• Seal cracks and gaps in your foundation and exterior walls.
   
• Schedule regular inspections with a trusted pest control company.

When to Call the Experts

If you see signs of termite damage, act fast. A small problem can turn into extensive damage in a few months.

Our team at Native Pest Management specializes in termite treatment for Florida homes. We know how to deal with subterranean termites, drywood termites, and every other species common in our region.

Whether you need a one-time termite inspection or long-term termite control, we can help.

Final Thoughts

So, do termites eat drywall? Yes. They target the cellulose in drywall paper, and the damage can spread beyond your walls if not addressed.

By watching for signs of termite activity and scheduling regular termite inspections, you can protect your home and prevent costly repairs.