Formosan termites are a type of subterranean termite that nests within the soil. They invade structures from the soil directly through wood to ground contact, or using mud tubes they construct up from the soil.

Can termites survive without soil?

Subterranean termites rely on contact with soil to live, but their drywood counterparts require little moisture. They can survive in attics and other wood structures without access to soil.

Which termites requires soil to contact?

As their names would suggest, dampwood and drywood termites seek out moist or dry woods respectively. Subterranean termites must have moist soil nearby and infest any wood that is in contact with the ground. In addition, subterranean termites will construct mud tubes they use to move from the soil to wood.