Termites

Subterranean Termite

The desert subterranean termite is the most common type of termite in Arizona. These termites live in underground colonies and feed on wood and other plant materials. If left unchecked, they can cause severe damage to buildings and other structures.

Subterranean Termites are by far the most prolific and can be found all over Arizona. Living in massive colonies, this termite constantly searches for new food sources. Once a colony locates a suitable food source, they begin to inflict significant damage to the wood and drywall with their voracious appetites.

Drywood Termite

The drywood termite is another common type of termite in Arizona. These termites live in dry, wooded areas and feed on dead or dying trees. If left unchecked, they can cause damage to buildings and other structures.

Since they are not as dependent on moisture as their subterranean cousins, most of their life is spent inside the wood they infest and devour. This termite tends to consume wood at a slower rate, but this does not mean that they do not pose a severe threat to the structural integrity of your home. The presence of this particular pest often goes undetected for long periods. They multiply and spread throughout and in all the wooden components of your home. The Drywood termite, as it digests, extracts every bit of moisture present in the wood it is eating. Believe it. Dry wood provides enough liquid for a termite to survive with no other water source. After this process, a small pellet with slight grooves on its sides remains. When enough of these pellets accumulate in the cavities these termites create, the overflow becomes an obvious and accurate indicator that this is the species of termite with which you are contending.

Dampwood Termite

The dampwood termite is another common type of termite in Arizona. These termites live in damp, wooded areas and feed on dead or dying trees. If left unchecked, they can cause damage to buildings and other structures. However, unlike most termite species, dampwood termites in Arizona infest living trees, especially citrus trees. In addition, some studies show that dampwood termites can facilitate the spread of fungal decay to new wood sources.

Formosan Termite

The Formosan termite is not common type of termite in Arizona. These termites were initially from China and were introduced to the United States through military ships during World War II. They live in underground colonies and feed on wood and other plant materials. If left unchecked, they can cause severe damage to buildings and other structures.