This is why plumbing and roof leaks should be repaired quickly. Formosan and dry wood termites have less demanding water needs and can often find needed moisture in the wood. Dry wood termites work slower than their subterranean cousins. Formosan termites, however, can destroy a building in a terrifyingly short time. It has been reported a Formosan termite colony can destroy 1,000 pounds of wood a year compared with native termites munching only about seven.
Termites take to the air looking for new digs in the spring and fall.
If you find signs of termites in your home, call the exterminator to deal with them. Wood-eating fungi cause wood to rot. It does so when the wood is damp. When the wood dries out, the fungi take a nap. When the moisture returns, they wake up and start eating again.