Did you know that a single colony of Formosan termites can contain several million insects?
Formosan termites, scientifically known as Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, are invasive pests with an insatiable appetite for destruction. Originally described in Taiwan, these termites have spread to various regions around the world, including parts of the United States. Their large colonies and aggressive foraging behavior make them a formidable threat to wooden structures and an economic risk to affected areas.
Key Takeaways:
- The Formosan termite is an invasive pest known for its destructive behavior.
- Their colonies can contain several million termites, posing a significant threat to nearby structures.
- Formosan termites have been reported in various states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Texas.
- Effective management strategies are necessary to control and prevent Formosan termite infestations.
- Preventive practices, such as using pressure-treated wood and regular termite inspections, can help minimize the risk.
Distribution of Formosan Termites
Formosan termites, known for their destructive behavior, have been reported in several states across the United States. As of 2019, these invasive pests have been found in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. While the termite was initially reported in Florida in the early 1980s, it has since spread to major urban areas in the state. The distribution has further expanded to include coastal regions of Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties.
Formosan termites thrive in mildly temperate climates, making them well-suited for various states in the southern part of the country. Interestingly, they have also been discovered as far north as the Canadian border, highlighting their adaptability to different environments. It’s important to note that infestations in inland areas often occur as a result of termites being unintentionally transported via shipments of railroad timbers used for landscaping purposes.
This image depicts the distribution of Formosan termites in Florida, one of the states significantly affected by their presence. The alt tag for this image is “Formosan termites in Florida”.
Description and Identification of Formosan Termites
Formosan termites are subterranean termites that live in large underground colonies and share interconnected foraging galleries in the soil. These termites are known for their destructive behavior when they invade above-ground structures, creating foraging tubes of varying diameters to connect the soil and the infested house.
The termite colony consists of reproductives, soldiers, and workers. The soldiers of Formosan termites have distinct characteristics that help identify them. They have an orange-brown, oval-shaped head, curved mandibles, and a whitish body. These soldiers readily attack any approaching objects and secrete a white gluey fluid as a defensive mechanism.
The alates, also known as swarmers, of Formosan termites play a crucial role in reproduction. These swarmers are yellowish-brown and measure approximately 12 to 15 mm in length. They possess small hairs on their wings and undergo massive swarming flights in the evening. The presence of alates near windows and light fixtures is a common indication of a Formosan termite infestation.
Formosan termites have a unique characteristic in their larger proportion of soldiers compared to native subterranean termite species in Florida. This is an important identifying feature when differentiating them from other termite species.
To help you better visualize the description and identification of Formosan termites, refer to the table below:
| Formosan Termite Description | Formosan Termite Identification |
|---|---|
| Subterranean termites | Large underground colonies |
| Foraging tubes connecting soil and infested structures | Larger proportion of soldiers compared to native termite species in Florida |
| Alates measuring 12-15 mm in length | Orange-brown oval-shaped head and curved mandibles in soldiers |
| Readily attacking objects and secreting a white gluey fluid as a defense |
Now that you have a clear understanding of the description and identification of Formosan termites, you can better recognize their presence and take appropriate measures to control and prevent infestations.
Life Cycle and Habits of Formosan Termites
Formosan termites, known for their destructive behavior, have a unique life cycle and habits that contribute to their ability to cause significant damage. Understanding these aspects can help in controlling and preventing infestations.
Life Cycle of Formosan Termites
A single colony of Formosan termites can produce over 70,000 alates, which are winged reproductive termites. After a brief flight, the alates shed their wings and quickly search for nesting sites. Once they find a suitable location, they form a royal chamber where they lay eggs. The reproductives, often referred to as king and queen termites, diligently care for the eggs.
The young termites hatch from the eggs and are nurtured by the reproductives. As they grow, they go through several molts or instars. At the third instar stage, the queen termite lays a second batch of eggs, which are eventually cared for by the termites from the first batch. This cyclic process ensures the continuous growth of the termite colony.
It takes three to five years for a Formosan termite colony to reach a significant size and cause severe damage to wooden structures.
Habits of Formosan Termites
Formosan termites are aggressive eaters and can consume a significant amount of wood each day. They feed not only on wooden structures but also invade living trees and shrubs, utility poles, landscape timbers, and even boats. Their voracious appetite, coupled with their ability to establish large colonies, makes them a formidable threat.
The nesting habits of Formosan termites are also distinctive. They construct nests made of a carton material composed of soil, wood, saliva, and termite feces. These nests provide protection and a suitable environment for the termites to thrive.
Aerial nests are more prevalent in Formosan termites compared to other subterranean termite species. In Florida and high-rise structures in Honolulu, these aerial nests account for a portion of the infestations. These nests become breeding grounds for the termites and contribute to the spread of the infestation.
Understanding the life cycle and habits of Formosan termites is crucial in implementing effective management strategies and preventing the extensive damage they can cause.
Damage and Threats from Formosan Termites
A mature colony of Formosan termites poses significant threats and can cause extensive damage to structures. Due to their large population size, these termites can inflict severe structural damage in a relatively short period of time.
The damage caused by Formosan termites is not due to individual termites consuming more wood compared to native subterranean termites. Instead, it is the extensive size of the colony that allows for more efficient and widespread damage.
Formosan termites have a destructive feeding behavior. They hollow out wood, leaving behind a paper-thin surface that may appear blistered or peeled. In addition to wood damage, Formosan termites also construct carton nests made of termite excrements, chewed wood, and soil. These nests can be found in structure voids such as between walls and beneath sinks.
It is important to note that Formosan termites can also cause damage to non-cellulose materials. They have been known to damage plastic, plaster, asphalt, and even soft metals.
Contrary to popular belief, Formosan termites cannot penetrate solid concrete. However, they can exploit small cracks or gaps in the concrete as foraging routes, which can lead to infestations within structures.
The economic impact of Formosan termites is significant. The annual control and repair costs associated with managing Formosan termite infestations can reach millions of dollars in some areas.
It is crucial to implement effective management strategies to control and prevent Formosan termite infestations. By understanding the threats they pose and the damage they can cause, proactive measures can be taken to protect structures and minimize economic losses.
Conclusion
Formosan termites are highly destructive pests that pose a significant threat to structures and require effective management strategies for control and prevention of infestations. To protect your home from these invasive termites, it is essential to implement preventive practices and regular inspections.
One important aspect of formosan termite control is using pressure-treated wood at the wood-soil interface to create a barrier. This helps deter termites from accessing your home’s structure. Additionally, reducing humidity in crawl spaces and basements, diverting water away from the foundation, and maintaining a gap between soil and wood portions of the home can help prevent infestations.
Regular termite inspections by professionals are highly recommended to detect any signs of a formosan termite infestation early on. Routine inspections of your home’s foundation can also help identify potential entry points and signs of termite activity. Remember, early detection and prompt action are crucial in managing formosan termite infestations and minimizing damage to your property.
It is important to note that Get Lost Pest Control does not treat for termites or woodboring insects. They do however treat for household pests such as spiders, ants, mice and more. They also provide wildlife control services for animals such as raccoons, snakes, squirrels, and more.
