This termite species lives in underground colonies or in moist secluded areas aboveground that can contain up to 2 million members. They build distinctive "mud tubes" to gain access to food sources and to protect themselves from open air. Subterranean termites are by far the most destructive species in the U. Originally from China, Formosan termites are the most voracious, aggressive and devious of over 2, termite species known to science.
Formosans are organized into huge underground colonies, and build intricate mud nests inside the walls of a structure. Because of their aggressive nature, Formosan termites are difficult to control once they infest a structure. As the name suggests, dampwood termites infest wood with a high moisture content. Dampwood termites are normally larger in size than other termite species. They do not usually infest structures because of the low moisture content of wood in structures, however, care must be taken to avoid attracting dampwood termites to a structure.
Dampwood termites are found in Pacific coastal and adjacent states, the desert or semi-arid southwest, and southern Florida. Drywood termites infest dry wood and do not require contact with the soil, unlike the subterranean and Formosan termites. This termite species often establishes nests in roof materials and wooden wall supports and can infest dead wood that may be around homes.
Drywood termites are found in the southern tier states, from North Carolina through the Gulf Coast and into the coastal areas of California. The largest termite colony ever recorded contained over three million termites! Ants and termites are enemies. In fact, ants are the number one predators and competition for termites. Occasionally, termite and ant colonies that are near each other will go to war over territory and access to food.
Some species of termites build their colonies upward. In tropical areas, such as parts of Africa, termite mounds can even be up to 30 feet high! Termite damage is expensive. Every year, termites inflict more than 5 billion dollars worth of property damage. Termites are eusocial. This means that they live in a caste system, where each caste has a different role.
These two castes have to rely on worker termites to feed them by regurgitating digested cellulose into their mouths. Termites are hygienic. Termite colonies spend a great deal of time grooming one another in order to prevent disease.
Termite queens dictate which caste her young will grow into. However, drywood termite colonies tend to be smaller than subterranean termite colonies, so they typically cause damage at a slower rate than subterranean termites. Western Drywood. Southeastern Drywood. Desert Drywood. Dampwood Termites belong to the families family Kalotermitidae and Hodotermitidae and live in wood with high moisture content.
Most dampwood termites do not require contact with the soil. Dampwood termites are rarely found in homes or other man-made structures, since wood in these structures typically does not have enough moisture. Desert Dampwood. Florida Dampwood. Nevada Dampwood. Pacific Dampwood. Conehead Termites. Desert Termites. Could these be a type of termite, and if so, what is the best way to kill them? I have just been notified by a tenant that an interior drywall has developed holes and tunnels. Could this be termites, and, if so, what type of termite is most likely?
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