What are the Different Types of Termites?
Over 2,300 species of termites, most of them tropical, have been described by entomologists. In the U.S. we have only four groups of termites of economic importance: Subterranean, Drywood, Dampwood, and Powderpost Termites. The Subterranean and Drywood are the two types of termites that cause damage to buildings in Southern California.
Termites have thrived on our planet for the past 250 million years. Technically, there are three major types of terrestrial termites that live in the United States: drywood; subterranean (ground); and Formosan. By far, the two most prevalent types of termites are the ground and drywood species. All types of termites survive by ingesting cellulose, found in wood and wood products. Termites live within highly organized social colonies much like their biggest adversary, the ant. Drywood termites prefer to live above the soil, taking up residence in wood structures such as trees, houses and even furniture. Once established, a colony of wood-inhabiting termites can slowly weaken a wooden structure, but the visible evidence of damage may not be noticeable for at least two years. Ground termites dwell within the soil, tunneling up to the surface in a complex system that allows the termites access to nearby food sources of wood. Members of the colony can fan out as far as 130 feet (39.6m) from
