[Pest Profile] Dampwood Termites

Scientific Names:

Common Dampwood Termite — Zootermopsis angusticollis (Hagen)

Small or Dark Dampwood Termite — Zootermopsis nevadensis (Hagen)

Order/Family:

Isoptera/Hodotermitidae/Kalotermitidae/Rhinotermitidae

Description

These dampwood species are found in states west of the Rocky Mountains. A similar termite species is found in South Florida and the Caribbean. The abdomen is broadly joined at the thorax unlike the narrow abdominal attachment found on ants. The nymphs are 1/8- to 1/3-inch long and white to cream in color with dark abdomens. The soldiers are 3/8- to 3/4-inch long with large heads with long, black-toothed mandibles.

Biology

The southeastern species swarms in the spring; the desert and western species swarm in summer through fall. At most, dampwood termites produce a few hundred swarmers compared to subterranean termites, which produce thousands of swarmers. Colonies gradually increase in size.

Habits

Except for the desert dampwood termite, dampwood termites do not require soil-to-wood contact, but the wood they infest must have a very high moisture content. These termites infest almost any kind of wood and tolerate very high levels of moisture. They often are found in dock and wharf pilings, logs, stumps and dead trees. As they excavate wood while feeding, dampwood termites litter the inside of their tunnels with their fecal pellets. Dampwood termites usually enter structures in areas where there is wood/soil contact and water-damaged wood.

Control

Infested structures should be inspected for wood/soil contact, areas where there is a constant water supply such as a plumbing leak, damaged wood and fecal pellets. The most effective methods of controlling dampwood termites are eliminating the moisture from the wood and removing infested wood and replacing it with treated lumber. In cases where dampwood termites are entering wood embedded in the ground, a soil treatment may be warranted. Many of the currently registered termiticides are labeled for control of dampwood termites.