TermiPore Blog - June 2025 - Types of Termites and How They Affect Buildings

 

Types of Termites and How They Affect Buildings: A Guide to Termite Protection with TermiPore

---

Termites are often called the “silent destroyers” because of their ability to chew through wood, flooring, and even wallpaper without being detected. But not all termites are equal when it comes to damaging buildings. Understanding the types of termites and their behaviour is essential to choosing the right protection system — especially in construction and real estate.

One of the most effective methods of long-term termite protection is the TermiPore anti-termite reticulation system, which is especially designed to stop the most dangerous types of termites before they enter the structure. This blog will help you understand which termites are a real threat to buildings and how TermiPore provides protection where it matters most.

Main Types of Termites

There are over 3,000 identified species of termites worldwide, but not all of them affect.

🔍 Only a Few Are Structural Pests:

Out of the thousands of species, only about 50–60 species are known to cause serious structural damage to buildings, and an even smaller number are major economic pests.

These belong primarily to the following termite families:

There are three primary types of termites, each with distinct habits, habitats, and levels of threat to man-made structures:

1. Subterranean Termites

• Habitat: Live in the soil and build mud tunnels to reach food sources (usually wood).
• Behavior: Need moisture to survive, travel underground and into the building through foundation, plinth, or wall-floor joints.
• Threat Level: Extremely high – responsible for more than 80% of termite damage in buildings globally.
• Entry Point: Through the floor, foundation, or underground gaps.

Can TermiPore Stop Them?
✅ Yes. TermiPore is most effective against subterranean termites because it creates a treated chemical barrier beneath the floor and around the plinth area. This intercepts the termites before they enter the structure. TermiPore is an entire Reticulation System, available with all the necessary accessories and technical training and support, hence it is very easy to install TermiPore on your site. Click ( https://termipore246357195.wordpress.com/2024/07/11/how-to-install-termipore-anti-termite-reticulation-system-how-to-inject-termiticides/ ) to know more about the installation process

 

 

 

 

 

---

2. Drywood Termites

• Habitat: Live and feed directly inside dry, undecayed wood.
• Behavior: Do not need contact with soil or external moisture.
• Threat Level: Moderate, depending on climate and wood used indoors. They can infest furniture, wooden frames, and door panels.
• Entry Point: Usually through infested wood or air-borne swarms that settle in the building.

Can TermiPore Stop Them?
❌ Not directly. Since drywood termites do not come from the soil, they bypass the ground barrier created by TermiPore. Other wood treatment methods or surface sprays are needed in addition.

3. Dampwood Termites

• Habitat: Prefer decaying or damp wood, usually found outdoors or in wood exposed to moisture.
• Behavior: Rarely infest buildings unless there is ongoing water leakage or poorly ventilated timber.
• Threat Level: Low – mostly a problem in decaying wooden structures or poorly maintained areas.

Can TermiPore Stop Them?
❌ Not necessary. These termites are typically not a building-wide threat. Prevention through good construction and moisture control is more effective.

---

Subterranean Termites: The Real Threat to Buildings

Subterranean termites are the most destructive and invasive termite species in India and globally. They:

• Enter from below the ground, penetrating through cracks in concrete slabs, expansion joints, or wall-floor joints.
• Travel through mud tubes, which protect them from open air.
• Can remain hidden and cause significant damage before they are noticed.

Differentiating Termite Behaviour by Entry Point

---

How TermiPore Works as a Defense System

The TermiPore anti-termite reticulation system is a network of specialized thermoplastic piping laid along the plinth level, wall junctions, and around the building foundation during early construction.

When termiticide is injected through this system:

• It spreads evenly in the soil below and around the structure.
• Forms a continuous chemical barrier to kill or repel subterranean termites.
• Provides long-term, re-injectable protection without repeated drilling or structural damage.

 

 

 

 

---

TermiPore can be installed before, during and even after construction.

Refer to ( https://termipore246357195.wordpress.com/2023/10/31/at-what-stage-of-construction-can-we-install-termipore-anti-termite-reticulation-system/ ) to know more on this topic. TermiPore a leading quality brand, is available in varied sizes, for all information, just click here: ( https://termipore246357195.wordpress.com/2023/07/15/why-is-brand-termipore-considered/  ). You can also get detailed information about quality control protocols and TermiPore lab test results at: ( https://www.instapaper.com/read/1614469597 )

 

Conclusion: Focus on the Right Termite Threat

While not all termites pose a serious danger to buildings, subterranean termites are the true enemy. They are capable of undermining the integrity of a structure from below, undetected.

That’s where TermiPore excels — by delivering termiticide directly into the zones where these termites attack first. The system is a smart, proactive investment for homeowners, builders, and real estate developers who want to ensure long-lasting termite protection without the disruption of periodic drilling and spraying.

---

👉 Learn more about TermiPore and how it can be incorporated into your construction project today.

Contact Us @ +91 6359292525 / 8401017087 / marketing@termipore.com