Dampwood Termites

Dampwood termites are large termites that live in wood that stays wet, such as rotting, leaking, or ground-contact wood and dead trees. In the United States, they are mostly a Pacific Coast and South Florida insect, and in a house, they point to a moisture problem first.

What are dampwood termites?

Dampwood termites are a distinct group of wood-destroying insects that nest directly inside the wet wood they eat, requiring no contact with the soil.

They build no mud tubes, which are protective dirt tunnels subterranean termites construct across foundation walls. That nesting habit makes them a separate group from subterranean and drywood termites among the termite types, even though dampwood fecal pellets look similar to drywood pellets. Because they rely on constant moisture, a colony dies out if the wood dries completely.

What do dampwood termites look like?

Dampwood termites are noticeably larger than other common species, featuring pale worker bodies and soldiers with large, dark heads and long jaws.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services notes that dampwood termites are the largest in size of all the termite species found in Florida. According to UC IPM Publication 7440, dampwood swarmers can be differentiated from the western drywood termite based on their larger size and attraction to lights at dark.

If you see flying termites at a porch light on a summer or fall evening, my page on termite swarm season gives the months each species flies. My field key to the castes shows how soldiers, workers and swarmers differ.

Where do dampwood termites live?

Dampwood termites live mostly in cool, humid areas along the Pacific Coast and in South Florida, wherever wood stays wet.

UC IPM Publication 7440 states that two common species, Zootermopsis angusticollis and Z. nevadensis, are common in central and northern coastal areas of California. UC IPM Publication 7415 notes that while dampwood termites are common throughout California, their high moisture requirements mean they are most often found in cool, humid areas along the coast. The same Zootermopsis species range up the Pacific Coast into Oregon and Washington.

On the other side of the country, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services reports that Florida has a few dampwood species, located mainly in South Florida. FDACS notes that these termites typically live in damaged trees and states that an arborist should be consulted when termites are found in a tree.

What are the signs of dampwood termites?

The main signs of dampwood termites are oval fecal pellets dropped near damp wood, broad galleries carved across the wood grain, and swarmers around outdoor lights.

Before evaluating physical evidence in your home, read my guide on termite frass identification to distinguish fecal droppings from construction debris or sawdust.

Sign	What it means	What to check next
Pellets near wet wood	UC IPM Publication 7440 states dampwood pellets are rounded at both ends and elongated, but lack the clear ridges of drywood pellets.	Check whether the adjacent wood is wet or actively leaking.
Large winged termites at a porch light at dusk in summer or fall	A dampwood swarm. UC IPM Publication 7440 says dampwood termites can swarm in summer and fall and are drawn to lights at dark.	Look for wet or decayed wood near the light, such as trim or a deck.
Galleries cut across the grain in soft or decayed wood	UC IPM Publication 7415 notes dampwood and drywood feeding both cut across the grain, leaving open chambers and tunnels.	Probe the surrounding wood for hidden water leaks or wood rot.
Termites in a dead tree, stump, or log in the yard	FDACS says Florida’s dampwood termites typically live in damaged trees.	FDACS advises consulting an arborist about whether the tree is still sound.

None of these signs is a mud tube, and a mud tube means a subterranean termite.

How are dampwood termites different from drywood and subterranean termites?

Dampwood termites differ from other groups because they need wet wood to survive but need no connection to the soil and build no mud tubes.

Knowing which group is inside your home decides your repair strategy, as chemical barriers designed for subterranean termites or structural tenting for drywood termites do not address a dampwood infestation. My comparison of subterranean vs drywood termites breaks down those two common groups, but comparing all three side by side makes the differences clear:

Check	Dampwood	Drywood	Subterranean
Wood they live in	Wet, decaying, or water-damaged wood	Dry, sound wood	Soil, reaching wood above it
Soil contact	None needed	None needed	Needed
Mud tubes	No	No	Yes
Pellets	Rounded at both ends, no clear ridges (UC IPM Publication 7440)	Six-sided with clear longitudinal ridges	None; they use droppings to build mud tubes
Usual control	Remove and dry the wet wood	Tent fumigation or spot treatment	Soil liquid treatment or bait stations

Are dampwood termites bad for a house?

Dampwood termites do damage wood, but only wood that stays wet, and the water behind them is usually the bigger problem.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services explains that dampwood termites can cause damage in structures that contain wet wood, but they are considered a secondary pest. UC IPM Publication 7415 states that their presence is significant as an indicator of a moisture problem or wood decay in wooden structures.

The damage stays in the wet wood, and the leak that wet the wood usually did harm first. However, wet, decayed wood also suits subterranean termites, so a finding is worth an inspection. My page on termite damage shows what each termite group does to wood.

How do you get rid of dampwood termites?

You get rid of dampwood termites by repairing the source of water and replacing the saturated wood, which destroys the habitat the colony needs.

According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, treatments for dampwood termites are typically done by removing the infested wet or damp wood from the structure, thereby eliminating the environment that the termites need to survive. University of Florida IFAS Extension Publication IN1277 confirms that drying the infested area is usually enough to control dampwoods. A soil treatment around the house does nothing for a colony living in a wet window frame.

FDACS says homeowners should also correct conditions that invite termites, such as:

• Leaky gutters
• Missing gutters
• Leaky faucets
• Sprinklers hitting the home
• Roof leaks
• Unsealed wood
• Poor water drainage

FDACS notes that in very rare cases, a tent fumigation could be used. For the other termite groups, my pages on how to get rid of termites and termite prevention cover the choices.

What I would do if I found dampwood termites

I would find where the water comes from before spending money on any chemical pest treatment.

I have not seen your house, but if I found dampwood termites on my own property, my immediate priority would be locating the leak or drainage failure. I would probe the wood around the find with a screwdriver to see how far the softness runs. I would keep a few insects or pellets in a sealed bag for identification.

After securing the insects, I would have the plumbing or roof leak repaired and replace the soft, water-damaged wood with sound lumber. If the soft wood is part of the house’s structure, I would book a termite inspection so an inspector can confirm the termite group and check the same wet area for subterranean termites.

Sources

• Pest Notes: Drywood Termites (Publication 7440) — UC Statewide IPM Program, 2014. Accessed 2026-10-18.
• Pest Notes: Subterranean and Other Termites (Publication 7415) — UC Statewide IPM Program, 2014-05. Accessed 2026-10-18.
• Termite Prevention and Control (IN1277) — University of Florida IFAS Extension, undated. Accessed 2026-10-18.
• Dampwood and Drywood Termites — Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, undated. Accessed 2026-10-18.