Pest profile

Florida Dampwood Termites

Neotermes castaneus, N. jouteli and N. luykxi · Blattodea: Kalotermitidae[2]

Florida dampwood termites are large Neotermes termites of coastal peninsular Florida and the Keys that infest wood kept wet by leaks, soil contact or sprinklers, and often live in trees.[1]

No licensed photo of this species is available yet; the identification notes below describe what to look for.

How to identify it

  • Swarmers are large, with two pairs of nearly equal wings creased along the veins; each forewing has five dark, enlarged veins along the leading edge.[1]
  • Colonies have kings, queens, winged swarmers, soldiers and false workers, immature forms with no outer wing signs.[1]

Look-alikes

Look-alikeHow to tell them apart
Subterranean termitesDampwood infestations are tied to sources of free water, the same conditions that favor wood decay.[1]

Where it lives

In the US, Neotermes live in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands; in Florida they're common on the coastal peninsula and the Keys, N. castaneus north to Merritt Island and Pinellas County.[1]

US map: public records from 1 state since 1990 (GBIF).

Biology and life cycle

Swarmers leave mature colonies over swarming seasons that can last several months; N. castaneus peaks in late fall or early winter.[1]

Neotermes castaneus prefers to nest in living trees and palms, where colonies can go unnoticed for years or decades until pruning or storms reveal them.[1]

Damage and signs

  • In buildings, infestations follow free water: wood-to-soil contact, roof leaks, or siding and trim wetted by rain or sprinklers.[1]

Health risk

Termites don't bite or sting people; UF/IFAS mentions no health risk.[1]

Control

Prevention

Eliminate the moisture: remove wood-to-ground and wood-to-water contact, which also prevents subterranean termites and decay.[1]

Pesticides

Where wet wood can't be removed, borate salts such as disodium octaborate tetrahydrate soak into infested wood; borates can injure plants.[1]

When to call a professional

Galleries in trees or structural wood can be injected with site-specific insecticides.[1]

Common questions

Why do termites keep showing up in my wet wood siding?
Dampwood termites need free water; leaks, sprinklers and soil contact keep wood wet enough for them.[1]
Can termites live in a living tree?
Yes. Neotermes castaneus prefers living trees and palms and can live there for years before being noticed.[1]

Sources

  1. University of Florida IFAS Extension (Featured Creatures), “Florida Dampwood Termites, Neotermes castaneus, N. jouteli and N. luykxi (EENY-122).” edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN279 (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. iNaturalist, “Neotermes castaneus taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/859043 (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-14. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.