Termites may be drawn to your pool because of it's water or termites will find it by mistake. Since termites almost always have some part of their colony out on a "seek and find" mission for both food and water, in ground pools can't hide even if they are made with all synthetic material. Their thin liners are not enough to hide the water which lies inside. Termites will detect the water and target any weak part of a pools design.

Most any active termite colony will have thousands of termites out and about seeking moisture and new food supplies - even when the colony already has ample supplies. This is one of their natural defenses and allows them to have "priority" supplies so that when main targets are lost, lower priority water and wood are at hand and can be farmed. This constant search will inevitably bring some termites to find most any in ground pool at some point during the pools existence. Termite’s ability to detect water - even through thick pool liners - will initiate an interest. If they desire or need the water bad enough, they will chew their way through causing leaks. Slow at first, water loss will almost be non-detectable. However, most termites harvesting of water will tend to increase and as more and more access holes are created, water loss will be fast and noticeable. Soon, water loss will so bad the liner will have to be replaced. Many people believe termites "ate" their liner when in fact the termites really "ate through" the liner (at this point we don't think termites are able to digest and convert plastic to food!).

Above ground pools aren't ignored either, so don't decide to install one thinking it will be termite proof!

In fact, above ground pools have many problems which are unique onto themselves. First, their liners will come in contact with some ground. This usually is the bottom or floor of the liner. Foraging termites will readily find these contact points. The fact is that termites in any colony whose job it is to seek out and find water and cellulose will many times follow shallow pathways stay close to the surface of the ground. This is probably an instinctive behavior formed over the thousands and thousands of years termites have foraged and found wood. Since most naturally dead and decaying wood will be found on or near the surface of the ground, foraging shallow only makes sense. Above ground pools are therefore right on top of where termites will naturally be looking!

Furthermore, above ground pools commonly have wood decks installed which will become a strong termite attractant. Pool filters, back washing and common maintenance routines that are done around above ground pools almost always involve water. This constant supply of water will create damp, moist areas which termites love. Don't think the chlorine in the water will kill off any termites either; any chemical present when the water first finds soil will dissipate within a few hours. In other words, don't be surprised if termites show up around your above ground pool in the form of a swarm or just armies of white workers who are targeting any little piece of wood they can find. Such areas are ideal for termites and they will readily move into them once found. From there it won't be long till they chew through the pools lining. In other words, termites don't discriminate between in ground or above ground pool design; they seem to like it all and anywhere water and wood can be found.