The General Types of Termites

One may have heard about the African termites that have very high mounds erected.  One may have also heard of the Formosan termites that are known to cause considerable damage.  There are also those types that are found to live in wood – either in wildlife or inside one’s house.  There are many types of termites all over the world, and while they play a valuable part in the ecosystem,  many are not immune to the damage they bring to one’s homes. 

There are many species of termites.  In the different parts of the world, these different types of termites are scattered.  But if one should take it in a broader concept, the types of termites can be grouped in either of the two categories: a.) wood termites, b.) subterranean termites.

The Different Types of Termites

Wood termites are those that feed and live in wood.  They make their source of food their dwelling place.  This group can be categorized further as drywood termites and dampwood termites. 

Drywood termites are rightly named since they live in dry & ‘undecayed wood’ as in pieces of furniture, to window frames, and flooring.  Shades, utility poles, and lumber in storage are also prone to nesting by such termites.  These termites have low moisture requirement - and are very much able to tolerate dry conditions for longer periods. 

Dampwood termites nest on wood that are buried in the ground.  The wood here is high in moisture content, and can be located mostly in cool and humid areas.  These Dampwood termites infest woods in beach houses and other such structures there.

Then we have the subterranean type of termite.  This is considered to be the most common type, especially in the US.  These termites live underground, and create mud shelters or tubes to connect their nests to their food source.  And this food source could be the wood in your homes. 

An example of a subterranean type of termite is the Formosan termite.  Referred to as the “super termite” – it has the ability to devour on wood quickly and is considered merciless termites.  Often found in large numbers, they have the power to cause considerable damage to homes and structures.  These termites are even known to attack non-wood materials as plastic and plasters.

The different types of termites have some differences in their characteristics, in how they behave and in how they work.  They operate in some distinctive way that makes them unique to the other species.