Termites are widely regarded as one of the most destructive pests on the planet. Termites are insects that feed primarily on dead plant matter such as woodchips, decayed wood like logs, leaf litter, and soil.
While there are more than 50 species of termites in the United States, subterranean termites and drywood termites are the two most common types of termites found in the country.
Soil is necessary for subterranean termites to live, but drywood termites live solely in wood. They don’t make mud tubes to get around, and you can usually only find them along warm coastal areas.
Subterranean termites are social insects that live in colonies. A colony has three castes: a) reproductives (king and queen), b) soldiers and c) workers.
Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as spotting a termite bobbing down your wood grain. Start by inspecting the fuse boxes in your home, the attic, and all of the joints and cracks around your home.