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How have dry-wood termites been transported to new regions by humans?
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termite
A termite nest in a tropical rainforest.
Dry-wood termites are frequently transported to new regions by humans through the accidental movement of infested wooden items. Because these termites live in small colonies directly within the wood they consume and are capable of tolerating long periods of dryness, they can easily survive and be transported over long distances inside objects such as shipping crates, lumber, boat timbers, and furniture.1
Once introduced to a new environment, these species often seek shelter in man-made structures, where they can become significant pests by damaging houses and wooden furnishings. Unlike subterranean species, dry-wood termites do not require soil contact, which allows them to thrive within the structural wood of buildings.21