Which type of termite is primarily responsible for damaging wooden structures?

Subterranean termites are primarily responsible for damaging wooden structures because they live in colonies underground and have a strong need for moisture, which leads them to invade wood that is in contact with or near the soil. Their ability to tunnel through the ground allows them to find and infest wooden structures easily, often compromising the foundation and structural integrity of homes.

While other types of termites, such as drywood and dampwood termites, can also cause damage, their preferred habitats and behaviors do not typically lead to the widespread destruction seen with subterranean termites. Drywood termites often infest wood above ground, such as in walls or furniture, and do not require contact with soil moisture. Dampwood termites typically infest decaying wood that is consistently damp, which limits their impact on conventional building structures. Formosan termites, a type of subterranean termite, are particularly aggressive and destructive, but they fall under the broader category of subterranean termites. Therefore, while they can cause significant damage, if the question is about the primary type, it is the subterranean termite that holds that distinction.