Subterranean Termite

Natural Habitat

Found in soil and within wood structures, often creating 'mud tubes' to travel between the ground and wood sources while maintaining moisture.

Diet & Feeding

Mainly cellulose, which they obtain from wood, paper, cardboard, and plant debris. They utilize protozoa in their gut to digestwood.

Behavior Patterns

Eusocial insects with a caste system (queen, king, workers, soldiers, and swarmers). They are cryptic and live primarily in darkness, avoiding light and dry air.

Risks & Benefits

Significant risk to human structures as they can cause extensive and costly structural damage to homes. In the ecosystem, they are beneficial as decomposers that break down dead wood and return nutrients to the soil.

Identified on: 1/2/2026