Termites are small, soft-bodied insects that live in colonies. They feed on the wood of buildings and trees. Dry rot is a fungal infection that can cause structural damage to wooden objects such as buildings, furniture, and decks.Dry rot typically occurs when there is a lack of air circulation or when wooden objects are stored in moist conditions. The fungus attacks the cellulose in the wood, breaking down the fibers until the wood crumbles. Signs of dry rot include cracks in the surface of wood, crumbling wood, and brown or white powdery growths on the surface of wood.

Termites and dry rot are both wood-destroying insects, but they can be easily distinguished by their habits and appearance.Termites are soft-bodied, white to light brown in color, with a small head and straight antennae. They feed on the wood of trees and other plants, tunneling through it to extract the cellulose. Dry rot is a fungus that grows on damp wood, attacking the cellulose fibers and causing the wood to break down and crumble.Dry rot is characterized by a dusty appearance on the surface of the wood, compared to the shiny appearance of healthy wood. The fungus produces fruiting bodies that look like small mushrooms; these can be seen growing in clusters on rotting wood.