Dampwood Termites

Dampwood termites are among the major species of termites that feed on wood. Dampwood termites feed on decaying and damp wood, hence their name, because this type of wood is the easiest for them to digest. They also feed on the fungi that is in the decaying wood because of the nitrogen found in this fungi, and nitrogen, like it is for us, is essential to their reproduction and survival.

Dampwood Termites primarily live along the Pacific Coast and reside in states such as Idaho, Montana, Northern California, Northern Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. A less severe and harmful classification of Dampwood termites is also located in SW United States and in parts of Southern Florida.

Dampwood Termites live in a pretty sophisticated, at least for insects, social structure. They have workers, soldiers and reproductive insects. A typical termite life cycle involves the following stages: egg, nymph and adult. Termites, unlike most insects, do not have a pupal stage in their development.

For all species of termites, the eggs and nymphs look the same. Only during the adult stage can we notice a difference between their different classifications. Adult Dampwood Termites are a lot larger than other termites.

Alates, or swarmers, are female and male reproductives that have wings to expand and create new colonies. This type of termite is about one inch in length. The soldier Dampwood termites is also much larger than other termite soldiers. They have huge brownish-red heads and mandibles.

Most termites create mud tubes when they scavenge the ground in search for food, but Dampwood Termites do not. Dampwood Termites do not require consistent contact with the ground to maintain a proper, livable balance of moisture levels.

When trying to treat the damage that Dampwood Termites cause, it can deem pretty difficult. Dampwood Termites reside behind the wood that they are scavenging on. So once homeowners notice external damage caused by these termites, the wood could possibly be finished with.

The reason for this is that Dampwood Termites chew across the grain of wood. They first chew the interior of the wood and then create a systematic series of tunnels that are connected. The walls of these tunnels are very smooth. Dampwood Termites consume both spring and summer wood.

Since the wood that Dampwood Termites consume is damp, it is probably a good choice to monitor high moisture wood content. Be sure to check wood that is found near a water source such as a bathroom, sink, or external faucets. The signs to look for when suspecting Dampwood Termite infestation are small pellets of feces near wood such as doors. If you do decide to treat them, be sure that the problem is small. If you are ever concerned, consult a professional.