Types Of Termites

Termites have been residents of this planet for over 200 million years but they have evolved very little. They are, however, highly self-sufficient creatures and are capable of surviving even in the most difficult circumstances. There are numerous species of termites that exist. In 1996, there are about 2,800 species that have been recognized. Of these, there are several types that have an economic impact on humans.

Major types of termites

Although these pests vary significantly in the number of species they belong to, there are only about three types that homeowners, repairmen, carpenters and house inspectors encounter. These are the Formosan, the subterranean or ground termite and the drywood termite. Of these, the two often found to inflict plenty of damage are the subterranean and drywood types.

Differentiating the types of termites

Subterranean or ground termites

Subterranean termites, true to their name, live under soil surface. They are vulnerable when exposed to open air and sunlight and so protect themselves by living underground. Subterranean termites live in groups or colonies, building their nest from the ground up.

Since termites’ main source of food is wood, they will tunnel from their nest in order to find food, which, unfortunately enough, could be the wood in your house. Usually, this type of termite will travel long distances, sometimes as much as 100 to 150 feet from where they nest.

Subterranean termites have very large appetites - their workers are capable of working 24 hours non-stop. They are known to eat as much as 7 kg of wood every week. Experts estimate that about 90% of termite damage in homes in the U.S. is caused by this type of termite.

Drywood termites

Drywood termites are above-ground termites, preferring to live in trees and wooden structures and tend to avoid soil. Unlike subterraneans, they don’t need moisture in their nest and prefer to obtain it from the humidity of the air. This type of termite is often found in coastal areas such as Southern California, the Gulf and the Southeast.

Drywood termites got their names because of their dietary preference. Once they have settled on a wooden structure, termites will live in it, eating it from within. They usually make residence in window and door frames and roof rafters. Very often, the wood will look normal from the outside but is actually crumbling within.

Drywood termites, because they are capable of being exposed to the environment, don’t create mud tubes like subterranean termites. Instead, they bore smooth tunnels, scattered with tiny, spherical straw-colored fecal matter. This type of termite can damage a structure in as little as two years and are highly adaptable to either warm or cool climates.

Formosan termites

Formosan termites are also subterraneans. Although they are originally from mainland China, they arrived in the U.S. from Formosa island, which is now known as Taiwan - hence their name. From the southern posts, Formosans simply spread out.

Formosans are considered the most destructive. A colony can easily consist of millions of individual pests, capable of destroying over a billion dollars worth of property every year - repairs and replacements included.

Formosans are common in many states, including New Mexico, California, North and South Carolina and Georgia. However, they are most numerous in Louisiana, where they are known to infest as much as 30% of trees in the region.