The incidence of termites and other wood destroying insects was surveyed in ten historical buildings in Colombia. The most common insects were termites (Kalotermes, Cryptotermes, Heterotermes), although numerous decay organisms were also detected, including beetles (Anobium, Lyctus, Cerambycids) and various wood decaying fungi. Structural wood elements were classified according to the degree of attack using a qualitative scale. All of the surveyed buildings showed some degree of attack in structural wood elements. The most affected elements were found in buildings located in humid and warm climates; however we also observed insects outside their ecological niches (for example termites in Bogota at 2640 m.a.s.l). The microclimate inside the building may help some insects to survive. The results suggest that most of the historical buildings need constant inspection and maintenance actions to reduce the incidence of wood-destroying.

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