Termites have a useful role outdoors. They break down dead wood and other plant material, which returns nutrients to the soil. The problem begins when the same insects find their way into a home, business or other wooden structure.

Because termites spend so much time hidden, homeowners often have questions long before they ever see the insects themselves. You may find a mud tube near the foundation, discarded wings near a window or wood that suddenly sounds hollow. You may also wonder why termites eat wood in the first place or what conditions make a property more attractive to them.

This guide answers some of the most common termite questions, including the major types of termites, what termites eat, what attracts them, how colonies work, and which warning signs deserve a closer look. Some of the most common questions include:​

  • What are the main types of termites?
  • What do termites look like?
  • Why do termites eat wood?
  • What attracts termites?
  • What are termite colonies?
  • What do termite tunnels look like?
  • What are common signs of termites?
  • Do termites fly?
  • Can termites bite?
  • How can you help prevent a termite infestation?

Understanding how termites live can make it easier to recognize a problem before extensive damage occurs.

What Are the Main Types of Termites in New England?

Thousands of termite species exist worldwide, but homeowners in Connecticut and across New England are more likely to hear about a few major groups.

​The three broad categories most commonly discussed in residential pest control are subterranean termites, drywood termites and dampwood termites. Formosan termites are a particularly aggressive type of subterranean termite. Conehead termites are another invasive species with a very different nesting and travel pattern. However, for homeowners in the Northeast, subterranean termites are the most relevant group. Fortunately, working with a local pest control company, such as Eliminate ‘Em, can help.

What Are Subterranean Termites?

Subterranean termites live in colonies associated with soil and need moisture to survive. They commonly build underground nests and travel between the colony and food sources through shelter tubes. These mud tubes help protect termites from dry air and predators while they move toward wood.

​Subterranean termites can feed on structural wood, wood near foundations, tree roots, stumps and other cellulose-containing material. Because they remain hidden underground or inside wood for much of their lives, visible damage may not appear until an infestation is well established. Common signs include mud tubes, discarded wings, hollow-sounding wood, and damage near the foundation.

What Are Drywood Termites?

Drywood termites live directly inside dry wood and do not need regular contact with soil. They can infest structural lumber, furniture, flooring, siding and other wooden materials. Their colonies tend to be smaller and develop more slowly than many subterranean termite colonies.

One of the easiest signs to recognize is termite frass. Drywood termites push small fecal pellets out of openings in infested wood. These piles may resemble sand or coffee grounds.​

Drywood termites are far more common in warmer parts of the country. They are not considered a typical New England termite, although infested furniture or lumber can sometimes transport them into other regions. If you find suspicious pellets around wood, our guide to termite droppings explains what to look for.

What Are Dampwood Termites?

Dampwood termites are strongly associated with wood that contains a high moisture level. They are often found in decaying trees, wet structural wood, fencing and other materials that stay damp. Plumbing leaks, roof problems, poor drainage or ongoing water damage can create conditions that make wood more suitable for these termites.

Unlike subterranean termites, dampwood termites generally do not need constant contact with soil. Their need for moist wood is the more important factor. They are also larger than many other common termites. However, dampwood termites are less common in the Northeast than subterranean termites.

What Are Formosan Termites?

Formosan termites are a highly destructive type of subterranean termite. Their colonies can become very large. They may build nests in soil or create above-ground carton nests inside structures when enough moisture is available. Signs include shelter tubes, damaged wood, swarmers, discarded wings, and nests made from soil, wood particles, and termite waste.

Formosan termites are more closely associated with warmer regions of the United States than New England. Still, they are useful to understand because they demonstrate how much termite behavior can differ from one species to another.

What Are Conehead Termites?

Conehead termites are an invasive species known for their distinctive soldiers and unusual travel behavior. Unlike typical subterranean termites that remain mostly underground, conehead termites may travel across open ground and build visible pathways along trees, fences and structures. They can also create large above-ground nests.

In the United States, established conehead termite activity has historically been associated with Florida. They are not considered a current termite concern for homeowners in the Northeast. However, understanding the various types of termites reinforces why proper species identification matters. Not every termite behaves, nests or requires treatment in the same way.

What Do Termites Look Like?

Termite appearance varies by species and by the insect’s role within the colony.

Worker termites are usually pale and soft-bodied. Soldiers may have larger or darker heads with more developed jaws. Reproductive termites can develop wings when they leave the colony to mate and establish new colonies.

This is also why termites are often confused with ants.

Winged termites usually have a more uniform body shape, while ants have a more clearly defined waist. Termite swarmers also have two pairs of wings that are similar in length.

Finding discarded wings near windows, doors or other openings can be an early clue that a termite colony is nearby.

What Are Termite Colonies?

Interestingly, termites are social insects that live in organized colonies. In fact, colony members have different jobs. For example, workers gather food and maintain the nest, soldiers defend the colony, and reproductive termites produce new termites and eventually establish additional colonies. Workers often make up the largest portion of a colony.

Additionally, colony size varies considerably by termite species. Some develop relatively slowly, while aggressive subterranean species can support much larger populations. That colony structure is one reason termite problems can be difficult to address with surface treatments alone. The insects you see may represent only a small portion of what is happening inside the structure or underground.

Why Do Termites Eat Wood?

Termites eat cellulose, which is a carbohydrate found in wood and other plant materials. Their digestive systems work with microorganisms that help break cellulose down into usable nutrients, which allows them to survive on materials that many other animals cannot digest efficiently, such as wood.

However, wood is not their only possible food source. Cellulose is also found in cardboard, paper, plant debris and other materials. Plus, different termite species may prefer different conditions. For example, subterranean termites often encounter wood close to the soil. Conversely, dampwood termites favor wood with high moisture levels and drywood termites can survive inside much drier wood without soil contact.

What Kind of Wood Do Termites Eat?

Termites can feed on many types of wood.

Importantly, the condition and location of the wood may matter more than the specific tree species. Soft, decaying or moisture-damaged wood can be especially appealing because it is easier to reach and break down. Wood that touches the soil can also give subterranean termites direct access to a food source. While treated or naturally resistant wood may seem termite-proof, it still needs protection. Many common areas of a home and yard that can attract termites include:

  • Firewood stored against the house
  • Tree stumps
  • Dead branches
  • Wooden fence posts
  • Damaged structural lumber
  • Wood around leaking pipes
  • Moist basement or crawl space framing
  • Mulch and woody debris near foundations

What Attracts Termites to a Property?

Wood provides food, but several other conditions can make a property more inviting.

Moisture is one of the most important. Leaks, poor drainage, clogged gutters and damp crawl spaces can create favorable conditions for many termite species. Wood piles, mulch and decaying plant material close to a foundation can provide both food and shelter.  Termites may also gain access through foundation cracks or areas where wood sits close to soil and a few common attractants include:

  • Water-damaged wood
  • Plumbing or roof leaks
  • Poor drainage
  • Clogged gutters
  • Firewood near the foundation
  • Tree stumps and dead branches
  • Excess mulch
  • Wood-to-soil contact
  • Cracks around foundations
  • Untreated or deteriorating wood

Removing these conditions does not guarantee that termites will never appear, but it can make your property less welcoming.

What Are Termite Tunnels and Mud Tubes?

Mud tubes are among the most recognizable signs of subterranean termites. These narrow pathways are built from soil, termite waste and other materials. They allow termites to travel between underground nests and food sources while maintaining the humidity they need.

Homeowners should note that mud tubes may appear along foundations, crawl space walls, wooden beams or other surfaces. They are often brown or tan and may resemble dried mud lines running vertically or horizontally across a surface. Termites also create galleries inside wood. These internal tunnels may not be visible until the wood is damaged or opened.

If you find a suspected mud tube, don’t assume the colony is inactive just because you can’t see any termites.

What Are the Most Common Signs of Termites?

Termites are often described as hidden pests because much of their activity happens inside wood or below ground. That makes indirect signs especially important, which frequently include:

  • Mud tubes along foundations or walls
  • Hollow-sounding wood
  • Soft or weakened wood
  • Buckling floors
  • Bubbling paint or wallpaper
  • Small holes in wood
  • Termite droppings or frass
  • Discarded wings
  • Termite swarmers
  • Doors or windows that suddenly stick
  • Visible galleries inside damaged wood

However, some of these symptoms can also have other causes. For instance, moisture damage alone can warp wood or affect paint.

For that reason, professional identification is useful when several signs appear together. If you find droppings but cannot find the termites themselves, our guide to termite droppings but no termites explains why hidden activity may still be present.

Do Termites Fly?

Most termites spend their lives without wings. The exception is the reproductive group, commonly called swarmers or alates. When conditions are right, winged termites leave established colonies to mate and begin new ones.

Homeowners may notice the swarm itself or simply find piles of discarded wings afterward.

A swarm near or inside a building deserves attention because it may indicate an established colony nearby.

Are Flying Termites the Same as Flying Ants?

No.​

Winged ants and termite swarmers are different insects, though people often confuse them.

Ants usually have a narrow waist and bent antennae. Termites have a straighter body profile and straighter antennae. Their wings also differ.​

A termite’s four wings are generally similar in length. Meanwhile, flying ants usually have larger front wings and smaller rear wings. If you are unsure what you found, save a specimen or take a clear photo for identification.

Do Termites Bite People?

Termites are built to chew plant material, not hunt people. Soldier termites have jaws used to defend the colony, but termite bites are not a common concern for homeowners. The real risk is what they do to structures because a hidden colony can gradually weaken framing, flooring, and other wooden materials.

How Long Do Termites Live?

Termite lifespan depends on species and caste.

Workers and soldiers generally live much shorter lives than reproductive termites. For instance, queens can live for many years under the right conditions. The termite life cycle begins with eggs. Young termites develop into nymphs and eventually take on roles within the colony.

Because colonies continuously produce new generations, eliminating individual termites does not necessarily address the larger infestation.

When Do Termites Swarm?

Swarming time depends on termite species, weather and location. Swarming often happens after a colony has matured enough to produce reproductive termites. In the Northeast, subterranean termite swarms are commonly associated with spring and warmer conditions. While seeing swarmers does not necessarily mean they started inside your house, swarmers indoors or large numbers close to the foundation deserve further investigation.

How Much Damage Can Termites Cause?

Termite damage develops as colonies consume cellulose within wood and other materials. The insects often work from inside the material, which means the outside can look normal while the interior becomes hollow or weakened. Termite damage can affect:

  • Floor joists
  • Wall framing
  • Support beams
  • Window and door frames
  • Flooring
  • Furniture
  • Fences
  • Decks
  • Other wooden structures

The extent of damage depends on the species, colony size and how long the infestation has been active. This is why early detection matters.

How Can You Help Prevent Termites?

Prevention starts with reducing access to food and moisture. To start, the following highlight a few DIY termite checks:​

  • Walk around the property regularly and look for changes that could make termite activity easier.
  • Keep firewood away from the house. Remove dead wood and stumps when possible.
  • Avoid allowing mulch or soil to cover wooden parts of the structure.
  • Address leaks and drainage problems quickly.
  • Keep gutters clear and make sure water moves away from the foundation.
  • Inspect wooden areas for softness, damage or signs of mud tubes.

Professional termite control can add another layer of protection if your property has a history of termite activity or you notice warning signs.

Can You Treat Termites Yourself?

Some termite products are available to homeowners, but termite infestations can be difficult to locate and evaluate because treatment largely varies by termite type. Also, the main colony may be underground, inside structural wood, or spread across areas that are hard to inspect.

For instance, subterranean termite control may involve bait systems or soil treatments; drywood termite infestations may require localized wood treatment or, in some situations, whole-structure treatment; and dampwood termite management often requires correcting the moisture problem while also addressing the insects.​

Professional inspection helps determine which termite is present and where treatment needs to focus.

What Happens During a Professional Termite Inspection?

A termite inspection looks for both active termites and evidence of past or hidden activity. For example, the technician may check foundations, basements, crawl spaces, attics, structural wood and exterior areas. Alternatively, they may look for mud tubes, frass, wings, damaged wood and conditions that make termite activity more likely. They may also evaluate moisture problems and wood-to-soil contact.

If you find termite activity, it is vital to match the treatment to the species and location of the infestation.

Which Termites Are Most Common in New England?

For homeowners in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and southern New York, subterranean termites are the most prevalent. Whereas drywood, dampwood, formosan and conehead termites are much more strongly associated with other parts of the country.

That does not make those species irrelevant. Furniture, lumber and other wooden products can move pests between regions, and understanding the differences can help homeowners recognize why termite identification matters.​

Still, if you find termite signs around a New England home, subterranean termite activity is an important possibility to investigate.

When Should You Call a Termite Exterminator?

Termites are easier to address before significant damage develops. Consider contacting a professional if you find:​

  • Mud tubes around the foundation
  • Termite swarmers indoors
  • Large numbers of discarded wings
  • Repeated termite droppings
  • Hollow or weakened wood
  • Unexplained wood damage
  • Termites around a structure
  • Signs that continue after previous treatment

You do not need to identify the exact termite species before asking for help. A professional inspection can determine whether the evidence is actually from termites and what type of treatment may be appropriate.​

If you find mud tubes, discarded wings, termite droppings or unexplained wood damage, Eliminate ‘Em can help determine what is happening. Our licensed technicians provide termite inspections, treatment and prevention for homes and businesses throughout the our service area, which covers Connecticut, Rhode Island, western Massachusetts and parts of southern New York.

Contact Eliminate ‘Em to schedule a termite inspection or learn more about professional termite control.