Where do termites live?

There have been reports of termites in every state in the nation except for Alaska. They prefer to live in warm, humid climates, and are thus found in states with mild temperatures year-round.

Excluding Alaska, termites have been reported in every state in the nation and prefer to live in warm climates. Different termite species thrive in various habitats, but they frequently find the ideal environment wherever they have access to cellulose. Some termites live in and need soil to survive, while others prefer to live in dry wood above ground level. These wood-boring insects have been found living in walls, bathrooms, furniture, logs, and other wood sources found in or near the home.

Ideal termite habitats

Subterranean, formosan, and dampwood termites all require regular contact with soil in order to survive. For this reason, they live underground and access wood sources by building mud tubes through which they travel. Dampwood termites are often attracted by leaky faucets and sources of humidity in homes, while subterranean termites are known to infest tree stumps or dampened wood near the home. On the other side of the spectrum, drywood termites live in any habitat with sources of dry wood, which is why they are often found higher above ground in structures. They often nest deep inside of wood structures and eat across the grain.

Regions where termites live

Although termites have been sourced the country, they are most active in regions with warmer climates. While termites can survive in colder months, higher temperatures allow them to thrive and mark the beginning of their swarming season, which is why they are frequently found in areas with tropical, humid weather. The following regions are known to harbor termites:

1. The southernmost border of the country most commonly deals with subterranean, formosan, and drywood termites.
2. Southeast and southwest regions experience infestations by subterranean and formosan termites.
3. Except for the northernmost states, the rest of the country is susceptible to subterranean termites.

Termites living in California

Western subterranean, dampwood, and drywood termite species have all been reported in California. Because Northern California is blessed with warm weather throughout the entire year, this region is a haven for these wood-boring insects to actively reproduce at any time, making termite infestations a constant threat to homeowners. Termites can live in a number of wood structures as well as any area with soil, so it’s important to stay vigilant on checking for signs of termites.