Can termites eat through drywall?

Termites do not eat through drywall for nutrition because drywall is primarily gypsum, but they can and do chew through drywall paper, paint, and the cardboard backing to reach wood framing behind it and to create tunnels, causing visible damage that is often mistaken for drywall eating. Subterranean termites need cellulose which is found in wood, paper, and cardboard, and drywall is covered with paper that contains cellulose, so they will eat the paper layer and can create pinholes and muddy trails on drywall surfaces. More importantly, they tunnel through drywall easily because it is soft and allows them to travel from soil to wood studs, floor joists, and support beams while staying protected from light and air. Signs of termites chewing through drywall include small pinholes with dirt around them, bubbling or peeling paint that looks like water damage, hollow sounds when tapping drywall, and visible mud tubes on drywall surfaces. They can also damage the wood framing behind drywall from the inside out, hollowing out studs while leaving drywall intact, so damage may not be visible until severe. While they cannot digest gypsum, their chewing creates entry points and weakens drywall. To prevent this, fix moisture problems because termites need moisture, keep gutters draining away from foundation, avoid wood-to-soil contact, seal cracks in foundation, and schedule annual termite inspections. If you see pinholes or mud on drywall, contact a professional pest control company immediately for inspection because it may indicate an active colony that requires liquid barrier or bait system treatment costing $1,000 to $3,000.