A Termite Overview

There are three major types of termites: dry wood, subterranean, and Formosan. Subterranean termites account for approximately 95% of termite-related damage in the United States. Termites can enter your home through a one-sixty-fourth inch crack in the slab floor. Termites require moisture to survive and will die if exposed to sunlight or open air for an extended period of time. High moisture areas, such as basements and crawl spaces, are appealing to termites.

They can infest wood trim, siding, wallboard, and even picture frames. Carpenter ants are black or brown in color and can grow to be 1 long. Termites have almost straight antennae, whereas ants have elbowed antennae. Carpenter ants can cause significant structural damage, but they are more of an annoyance than a structural issue.

Drywood and Subterranean Termites Termites - Quick Reference Chart

Do I have termites or ants?

In the United States, there are three major types of termites: dry wood, subterranean, and Formosan. Termites can be distinguished by the appearance of their swarmers, the damage they cause, and the droppings they leave behind.

Termites are classified into two types: "drywood" and "ground," or subterranean termites. Subterranean termites account for approximately 95% of termite-related damage in the United States. For nutrition, both types of termites consume cellulose. Wood and wood products contain cellulose.

Drywood termites are found in a narrow geographic band that stretches from the coastal Carolinas all the way to California's southernmost borders. The Pacific Northwest is rife with dampwood termites.

In the southern United States, termites are the most common wood-destroying structural pests. Some estimates place the annual cost of controlling or preventing termite infestations at more than $2 billion.

Termites have become a problem in every region of the United States with centrally heated homes. There could be 13 to 14 subterranean termite colonies per acre. A typical house may have three to four colonies under or around it, each with up to 1,000,000 subterranean termites.

Termites have survived for over 250 million years. The colonies' highly structured nature allows termites to adapt more to ever-changing environments.

Termite colonies are naturally close to your home. Foundations are typically built above the water table and below the frost line, which is where termites live.

To satisfy their nutritional needs, termites make no distinction between the wood in your home and the wood in the forest.

Termites are unable to digest wood directly. The protozoa in their gut degrade the cellulose into simpler compounds that the termites can absorb.

Concrete slab and basement foundations are among the most vulnerable types of building. Termites can enter your home through a one-sixty-fourth inch crack in the slab floor.

Termites can travel up to 130 feet from the colony, and when they find a food source, they leave a "chemical trail" for other termites to follow.

Termites are active 24 hours a day. "Worker" termites transport food to the colony via tunnels, never stopping.

Termites require moisture to survive and will die if exposed to sunlight or open air for an extended period of time. Their tunnels keep them safe from the elements. High moisture areas, such as basements and crawl spaces, are very appealing to termites and can serve as the beginning of an infestation. Once inside, termites can infest almost any part of your home, including wood trim, siding, wallboard, and even picture frames.

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A Quick Comparison of Subterranean Termites and Drywood Termites

Termites in the Ground

Moisture and Food: They require a lot of moisture, such as from soil and damp wood, and their diet is cellulose (from wood).

Habitat: They usually live in the soil, but they can live above ground if there is enough moisture. They have numerous colonies.

Protective mud tubes ascending from the ground to the structure or protruding from walls, for example, are evidence of activity (See link for Pictures)

Swarming termites within the structure

Preventive measures include treating the soil with a termiticide prior to construction. More information can be found at Chemical soil treatments.

A termite bait station monitoring system is used to track termite activity and bait placements after they have been detected.

Regular inspections by a pest control company or, if qualified, by yourself.

Use a baiting program or a termite barrier treatment with current activity. Continue to monitor using bait stations or regular inspections.

Food and Moisture Requirements of Drywood Termites: Moisture requirements are minimal. Their food is cellulose (derived from wood).

They live within the wood and do not require soil contact to stay moist. The colony is small.

Evidence of Activity: Their feces resembles sand. Holes in the walls, ceilings, or wood.

Preventive measures include using treated lumber during construction.

Timbor or Boracare should be applied to any untreated or exposed wood.

Control measures include: Tent fumigation is recommended for complete treatment.

Find kick out holes for spot treatments.

Drione Dust or a termite foam like Premise Foam should be injected through a lightly punctured hole.

For recommended procedures, see Drywood Termites.

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Do I have Termites or Ants?

Comparison of Ants and Termites

Drawing courtesy of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Is it possible that I have ants or termites? This can be a difficult question. Some flying winged ants resemble winged-swarming termites. Here are some methods for distinguishing between physical resemblances.

While both species have four wings, the termite wings are all the same size, whereas the ant wings have noticeably larger front wings than the hind pair. Termites have almost straight antennae, whereas ants have elbowed antennae. The wings of termites are twice as long as the body. Because of their thin-waisted appearance, ants appear segmented. Termites appear to have a wide waist.

CARPENTER ANTS: Carpenter ants are black or brown in color and can grow to be 1" long. Termites are frequently confused with them. They have pinched waists and elbowed antennae, unlike termites. Termites have antennae and straight bodies. There is a winged version, just like termites.

Carpenter ants can cause significant structural damage, but they are more of an annoyance than a structural issue.

Investigation:

A carpenter ant infestation can be identified in several ways:

Swarmers: A large number of winged carpenter ants. Sawdust: If you notice sawdust (frass) raining from your ceiling or any indoor cracks, call a professional. If you see more than ten ants in any room other than the kitchen in a single day. If you see ants in your home and the ground outside is frozen, call a professional. If you hear munching, rustling, or crunching noises coming from a window sill, wall, or ceiling. Go to for more information on carpenter ants.

Identification and Recommendations for Carpenter Ants