Final answer:
Option (a), The structure most conducive to termite infestation is a built-in depression or low area. Elevating houses using pier and beam construction, as seen in the Deep South, effectively reduces the risk of termites and wood rot.
Step-by-step explanation:
The structure most conducive to termite infestation is a built-in depression or low area. Termites thrive in humid conditions and are attracted to wood that is in contact with the soil or remains damp. In contrast, techniques like pier and beam construction elevate buildings above the ground, which prevents direct contact between wood and moist soil, thus reducing the likelihood of termite infestation and wood rot.
These piers allow for cooling breezes to circulate under the structure and provide less hospitable conditions for termites. For example, in the Deep South, folk housing evolved to combat termite damage by elevating houses on piers, a practice that is both practical and historic.
Draining water away from a house also helps in preventing termite infestations because it reduces moisture accumulation around the structure's foundation, which attracts termites. Similarly, long eaves and above-standard grade constructions can also contribute to reducing termite attraction by keeping ground water further away from the structure's wood components.