Understanding Termite Habitats is the First Step to Stopping Them From Damaging Your Home

Known as one of the most successful groups of insects on Earth, Termites have inhabited all land masses on the planet except for Antarctica.

There are over 3,000 different species of termites in the world; however, only about 50 species are commonly found in North America.

These 50 species of termites can be categorized into three main categories: subterranean, dampwood, and drywood. Each of these termite groups have different habitats and behaviors, especially when it comes to where the termites live and build their nests.

Where Are Termites Found?

Subterranean Termites

Just as their name suggests, Subterranean Termites spend most of their time living underground. Preferring warm climates, subterranean termites, also known as ground termites, are common in southern states where warm, loose soil is abundant. While they do not require humid or damp areas to survive, they do thrive in such conditions.

Building colonies and laying eggs underground, subterranean termites protect themselves from open air by building ‘mud tubes,’ which allow them to safely access food sources without being exposed to the elements or predators.

The main food source for subterranean termites is wood, which often results in the destruction of homes. Capable of tunneling over 100 feet underground in search of wood, subterranean termites account for 95 percent of all termite damage in North America. Home foundations, support beams, plastic pipes, and home insulation are all common areas that are often destroyed by subterranean termites, usually going undetected until the damage is already done.

Dampwood Termites

Attracted to wood that has been exposed to excessive moisture, Dampwood Termites are prevalent in the Pacific Northwest, ranging from Northern California up through Oregon, Washington, and as far as Montana. With these states experiencing high levels of precipitation, they make for an ideal habitat for dampwood termites. These termites have also been seen in parts of the Southwestern U.S., where there is warm humidity.

Building their colonies in damp, decaying wood, dampwood termites are typically found colonizing logs, stumps, dead trees, fence posts, and utility poles. Providing a useful function to our ecosystem, dampwood termites are able to speed up the decomposition process of decaying trees, shrubs, and wood. However, dampwood termites are not contained to strictly wooded areas, and often find their way to man-made structures affected by excessive moisture. Invading wet wood or soil piles found close to homes, dampwood termites will gladly build their colony in your home’s foundation and attic, causing devastating damage that often goes unnoticed until it’s too late.

Drywood Termites

Different from dampwood termites, drywood termites do not need moisture when building nests, and instead get moisture from the humidity in the air. Most commonly found in Southern California and the Southeastern U.S., drywood termites prefer warm climates, but also have been found across America and Canada.

Living above ground, drywood termites make their homes inside attics, door frames, window frames, as well as furniture. The hardest species of termites to spot and the least frequently sighted, these termites are often considered the most dangerous because of their stealth. While a wooden structure might appear undamaged from the outside, a drywood termite-infested structure is actually crumbling from within. Homeowners might not even know their home is under attack until the structure collapses.

So, now that you understand the habitats of the termites most commonly seen through North America, which termite are you most likely to be susceptible to? If you think you have a good idea, learn more information about your specific pest by reading our pest library.

If you fear that your home is exposed to termites, or simply want to learn about preventive measures against termites, contact our local pest professionals to learn more about or Termite Control Program and schedule your cost-free inspection today.