Dampwood termites nest in wet or rotten wood in your home. That may sound like bad news, but they are less of a concern than drywood or subterranean termites. Treatment for these termites involves eliminating the moist or wet conditions, such as a leaky pipe, and replacing the wood. Read along to learn how to identify and get rid of dampwood termites.
What are Dampwood Termites?
Dampwood termites are a species of termite that prefers moist, humid climates and feeds on fungi and wet, rotten wood. They are wood-dwelling, preferring to make their homes in trees, logs, and above-ground posts. They can also be found in damp, water-damaged buildings. Their colonies are smaller in numbers than the colonies of other termites.
They are categorized on the type of wood they eat, so they are found in different species. Common dampwood termite species include:
- Arizona dampwood termite (Zootermopsis laticeps)
- Florida dampwood termite (Neotermes castaneus)
- Nevada dampwood termite (Zootermopsis nevadensis)
- Pacific dampwood termite (Zootermopsis angusticollis)
How to Identify a Dampwood Termite
What do dampwood termites look like? For starters, these pests are the biggest species of termite in North America, with a size range that looks like this:
- Kings and queens: 1/2-5/8 inch
- Nymphs: 5/8 inch
- Soldiers: 3/4 inch
Dampwood termites are a darker color than other types of termites, ranging from shades of yellow-brown to dark, light, and reddish browns and black.
- Reproductives: Yellow-brown with dark brown wings
- Soldiers: Light brown with two-toned heads and black-toothed mandibles
- Nymphs: Yellow-brown with dark brown mandibles
Other characteristics include:
- Long, straight antennae
- Three body sections
- Long legs
- Smaller heads that are 1/3 body length
- Live in smaller colonies than other species
Dampwood vs. Drywood Termites
Dampwood Termite: Judy Gallagher / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
Drywood termites: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0
Both dampwood and drywood termites make their nests above ground in wood, without needing contact with the soil; however, there are a few key differences that set the two species apart.
| Dampwood Termite | Drywood Termite | |
| Appearance | Bigger than other termites | Small with slim bodies |
| Nesting Habits | Build their colony in damp, rotting wood. Will make their homes in waterlogged buildings, logs, stumps, and posts. Use their frass as building material inside the nest. | Build colonies in dry wood, usually in window frames, attics, baseboards, and furniture. They create kick-out holes and leave small mounds of frass outside the nest. |
| Location | California, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Rocky Mountains, Texas, and Washington | Coastal North and South Carolina, south Georgia and Florida across the southern border all the way across to Texas and across the southern parts of New Mexico and Arizona then up the California coast, ending around San Francisco. |
| Fecal Pellets | A long pellet with rounded ends — no ridges along the length of the pellet | Round on the ends and long with six flat sides, separated by six ridges (hexagonal) |
| Feeding pattern* | Across the grain in any direction | Across the grain in any direction |
| Damage | Cause less damage than other species of termite | Cause significant damage, but less than subterranean termites |
*Subterranean termites, in contrast to dampwood and drywood termites, feed with the grain of the wood, not across the grain.
Photo Credit: Gerald J. Lenhard, Louisiana State University, Bugwood.org / Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0
Fun fact: Unlike other species, the Pacific dampwood termite does not have a worker caste. They only have the nymphs, soldiers, and reproductives (swarmers/alates).
Signs of Dampwood Termites
How harmful are dampwood termites? Compared to subterranean or drywood termites, dampwood termites aren’t a huge concern. However, an infestation is a sign that your home has moisture problems and wood decay, possibly caused by leaky plumbing, poor drainage, and faulty ventilation.
Suffice to say, a dampwood termite infestation may be only a sign of even worse problems. But what are the signs of a dampwood termite infestation? Here are the most common examples:
- Soft or squishy spots in wood
- Dead swarmers
- Hollow wood
- Clumps of termite frass stuck to infested areas
How to Get Rid of Dampwood Termites
But now that you know the signs, how do you prevent and get rid of dampwood termites? Well, really the best thing to do is get rid of the moisture in your home and replace the rotten, termite damaged wood with treated wood.
- Inspect your roof and siding for leaks
- Examine wood that is touching the ground for signs of rot
- Check your downspouts and gutters
- Inspect your plumbing
In cases of extreme infestations, you may need to treat the wood with termiticides. Because these are some heavy duty chemicals, always contact a termite control professional, they have the expertise as well as specialized equipment.
FAQ About Dampwood Termites
When Do Dampwood Termites Swarm?
Dampwood termite swarms usually take place on warm, humid evenings in late summer between August and October.
Do Dampwood Termites Leave Frass?
Unlike their drywood counterparts, dampwood termites do not leave visible piles of droppings. Instead, they use their frass for construction inside the nest.
Do Dampwood Termites Bite?
Dampwood termites are not aggressive and don’t bite humans, though the soldiers are capable of it if they are picked up and feel threatened.
Hire a Pro
A dampwood termite infestation can make your wood rot problems even worse. Connect with experienced termite control pros in your area to assess your situation and provide a customized treatment plan to fit your needs.
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Main Image Credit: Dean Loarie / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
