Arizona Termite Species and Their Feeding Habits
Four termite species are responsible for nearly every active termite infestation in the East Valley.
Subterranean Termites
Eastern subterranean termites are the most common termite species in Arizona. They live underground, build mud tubes, and form the largest termite colonies. Termite workers travel through underground tunnels to feed on dead wood and structural lumber.
Drywood Termites
Drywood termites infest dry wood directly. Wood paneling, attic framing, and furniture are targets. Their feeding habits make them especially hard to detect.
Dampwood Termites
Dampwood termites target decaying wood and dead plants, so they’re uncommon in Arizona’s dry climate unless there’s a moisture problem.
Formosan Termites
Formosan termites are rare in Arizona, but they’re the most aggressive invasive termite species in the U.S.
How a Termite Colony Works
A termite colony operates as one system. Every termite has a role, and that’s what makes the entire colony so destructive.
- Worker termites: Termite workers feed the colony and cause wood damage.
- Soldier termites: Soldiers defend the colony against ants and rival termites, and you can spot them by their larger heads and straight antennae.
- Termite swarmers: Flying termites leave to start new termite nests. Their hind wings drop after landing, and they’re often confused with winged ants and other winged insects.
- Queen: A colony has just one reproductive queen, and she lays all its eggs, often thousands in a single year.
Those eggs hatch into young termites that grow into workers, soldiers, or future swarmers, depending on what the colony needs. Termites can digest wood because tiny microorganisms living inside them break down cellulose, the fiber that wood is made of.
How Termites Find Food Sources, Build Mud Tunnels on Exterior Walls, and Damage Wood
Subterranean termites live underground and travel through their tunnels to reach wood they can feed on. That usually means exposed or untreated wood near the foundation, dead wood in the yard, or framing in a crawl space, or the shallow gap beneath a raised floor.
When a few workers find a good food source, they signal the rest of the colony to come and feed. From there, they build pencil-thin mud tubes up exterior walls that keep them protected as they move between the soil and the wood. The wood can still look solid on the surface, but it sounds hollow when you tap it, and by the time most homeowners notice, the structural damage is already underway.
Prevent Termites: Mud Tubes, Termite Baits, and Treated Wood
Termite prevention starts with cutting off access. A few habits go a long way:
- Remove dead, infested, or decaying wood from near your home’s foundation.
- Keep firewood off direct contact with the soil.
- Use treated wood for structures touching the ground, and a borate wood treatment helps deter termites.
- Check for mud tubes twice a year, and schedule a professional inspection once a year.
If termites are already active, APC treats them with Termidor and termite baits that target the entire colony.
Termite Damage Adds Up
Termite damage is slow and hidden, which is exactly what makes it so expensive. By the time it shows, the colony may have been feeding on structural wood for years, and repairs to framing, beams, or subfloors climb quickly. Catching it early with proactive termite prevention costs a fraction of fixing it later.
Termite Infestation FAQs
How can I tell winged termites from winged ants?
Termite swarmers have straight antennae, equal-sized hind wings, and no defined waist. Winged ants have bent antennae, unequal wings, and a pinched waist. If you’re still unsure of the difference, reach out to APC, and we’ll help you identify the pest infestation.
What do termite droppings look like?
Drywood termite droppings are small pellet piles found below infested wood. Subterranean termites don’t leave visible droppings. Mud tubes and damaged wood are more reliable signs of termites.
Where can I learn more about termites?
The National Pesticide Information Center publishes free resources on where termites live and how they find wood.
Can termite baits kill the entire colony?
Yes. Workers carry the bait back, killing termites at every life stage. Combined with Termidor treatment, you can wipe out the entire colony.
Schedule a FREE Termite Inspection With Your East Valley Pest Control Company
Affordable Pest Control has protected East Valley homes for over 10 years with licensed technicians. Termite treatment plans start at $499 with a 1-year warranty. Call (480) 907-7913 or schedule your FREE termite inspection today.