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Termites in the United States: What and Where?

Out of the more than 2,000 termite species worldwide, only about 50 species can be found in the United States. Of those species, as many as 20 are considered structural pests, which means they have been known to infest and eat wood in structures. Termites are found in every state in the U.S., except Alaska. Because they thrive in warm climates, termite activity is greatest in the South, Southeast, West and Southwest. The three most important groups of termites in the U.S. – in terms of damage – are subterranean, drywood and dampwood termites.

Subterranean Termites:

Subterranean termites, which live underground in the soil, are the most widespread and destructive group of termites in the U.S. They are most common in the South and Southeast. There are several species of subterranean termites that are of economic importance to U.S. homeowners, including:

a. The Eastern Subterranean Termite: This species is the dominant termite species in the Eastern half of the country, and is the most economically important termite in the U.S.

b. The Dark Southeastern Subterranean Termite: Related to the Eastern Subterranean Termite, this species is found principally in the Eastern and Southeastern parts of the country.

c. The Light Southeastern Subterranean Termite: This species is similar in distribution and importance to the Dark Southeastern Subterranean Termite.

d. The Formosan Subterranean Termite: Native to China, this is the most destructive termite species in the U.S. The Formosan termite is found occasionally in most Southeastern states and southern California, and is the only species of subterranean termite found in Hawaii.

e. The Western Subterranean Termite: While this termite species is the most abundant subterranean termite species in the West, it can also be found as far east as Idaho and Nevada.

f. The Arid Land Subterranean Termite: Found primarily in arid regions (prairies) of the Rocky Mountain states, the Arid Land Subterranean Termite is the most common subterranean termite in Arizona.

g. The Desert Subterranean Termite: This species is a major structural pest in areas where it exists, mainly in southern Arizona and parts of California.

Drywood Termites:

Drywood termites can live in dry, sturdy wood and are found along the East Coast from the Mid-Atlantic states to South Florida, along the Gulf Coast, through the Southwest into California, and in Hawaii. These termites infest wood products, such as furniture, picture frames and the woodwork of buildings. The drywood termite species that are most detrimental to homeowners include:

a. The Southeastern Drywood Termite: This species is the most common drywood termite species in the South and Southeast.

b. The West Indian Drywood Termite: Also common in the South and Southeast, this species is reportedly the only drywood termite species found in Hawaii.

c. The Western Drywood Termite: Found in the Western and Southwestern U.S., it is also found sporadically in the Southeast.

d. The Desert Drywood Termite: This drywood termite species is found mainly in Arizona and parts of southern California.

Dampwood Termites:

Dampwood termites live in moist and decaying wood, so this type of termite is less likely than drywood and subterranean termites to infest a home. Structure-infesting dampwood termites are most common in the Pacific Coast states, beginning in northern California and continuing north. Termite Species

Termites live in colonies, which means they live and work together to gather food and raise their young (larvae). And in the same way that children and parents have different roles and responsibilities in their homes, termites have different jobs in their colonies. These jobs determine when and why certain termites leave the nest to start new colonies. Where these termites form a colony depends on the individual termite species and its ability to survive in drier or cooler climates.

Formosan Termites

Formosan termites are the most destructive species of subterranean termite in the United States. Formosan termites may be distinguished from other subterranean termite species by their slightly larger size and yellowish brown bodies. While subterranean termites typically require soil contact to receive the moisture they need to survive, Formosan termites have the ability to form cartons (nests inside the colony made of chewed wood, soil and undigested cellulose) to retain water for the colony until they can find a more permanent water source.

Formosan termite colonies are typically larger than subterranean colonies, numbering up to hundreds of thousands of members. It is this size difference - not the speed of Formosan termites' eating habits - that allows them to cause significantly more severe damage than other species of termites.
This species of subterranean termite can be found across the southern United States, from California to Louisiana to Florida and Georgia.

Dampwood Termites

Dampwood termites live only in wood with high moisture content. Most dampwood termite species do not require contact with the soil to survive. Dampwood termites are often found in moist or decaying wood in logs, stumps and dead trees. They may infest buildings, utility poles and wood piles if these structures have wood-to-ground contact or areas moistened by water leaks - however, infestations in structures are rare. Dampwood termites leave few external signs of wood damage, with the amount and pattern of damage depending on the degree of wood decay. Dampwood termites are visibly larger than other termite species. There are several species of dampwood termites in the United States, the majority of which live in the Pacific coast and Southwest regions, and from central to southern Florida.

Subterranean Termites

Subterranean termites live in the soil underground. This termite species prefers to eat soft, spring wood fiber, which means wood damaged by subterranean termites has a honeycombed appearance, with only the grain left behind. Unlike drywood termite colonies, subterranean colonies can contain thousands of workers. Subterranean termites are found in every state in the U.S., except Alaska. Subterranean termite infestations are most common in warmer climates, particularly in southern and southeastern states.

Drywood Termites

Just as the name suggests, drywood termites live in dry wood. Unlike many other termite species, they do not need contact with the soil to survive. This termite species can tolerate dry conditions for long periods of time, since it receives all of the moisture it needs from the wood it consumes and the metabolism it uses to digest the wood.

Drywood termites commonly target the wood in your home's structural timbers, framing, furniture and hardwood flooring. Wood consumed by drywood termites appears very clean and smooth - as if the wood had been smoothed by sand paper.
Drywood termites can infest several different areas in your home, forming separate colonies in your basement, attic or porch. They are usually found in warmer climates that do not reach freezing temperatures in the winter. However, this species of termite can survive in northern climates in homes with air conditioning.

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