"The Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, is one of the most destructive termite species in the world today."
In 1991, the city of Tampa, Florida first discovered Formosan subterranean termites near Tampa
International Airport. Eight years later - 1999, they were discovered in nearby Temple Terrace as well. Not long after,
a termite inspection discovered them in a warehouse in South Tampa. In 2003, a termite inspection
discovered them on Harbor Island, near downtown Tampa.
There is little doubt that new Formosan colonies are being formed in Tampa and around Florida. They are
multiplying more quickly than they are being detected. Therefore property owners must become more
vigilant. Frequent inspections and immediate treatment by trained professionals must be implemented to protect
their homes and buildings. These are the only protection against the slow silent Formosan termite invasion.
All coastal communities across Florida and the Gulf Coast are at risk from Formosan subterranean
termites. Tampa is just one example. These termites have now been found in at least 14 other Florida
counties. Once Formosan termites become established in an area, it's very difficult, some would say
impossible, to eradicate them.
In New Orleans, where more than 90% of the buildings in the French Quarter are infested,
Formosan termites are responsible for $300 million annually for control and repair costs. In the state of
Hawaii, they are considered the single most economically destrructive insect pest.
A typical Formosan termite colony has a gigantic appetite. Experts say the average native subterranean
termite colony can consume around 7 pounds of wood per year. On the other hand, a Formosan colony can
ingest more than 1,000 pounds of wood. To understand the difference, look at the size of the
colony.
Colonies of Formosan termites can number more than 10 million termites. Colonies of native
subterranean termites often are less than 1 million termites.
Formosan termites also attack a much wider array of food sources, such as furniture, books and even
living trees. They can be extremely persistent in finding a way into buildings. Unlike other types of
termites, they can chew through thin lead, copper sheeting, PVC, foam insulation boards, plaster,
asphalt, rubber, and some plastics to find wood. They can find even the smallest (1/16") cracks through
concrete.
Adults, worker (top), soldier (bottom) Photo by Gerald J.
Lenhard
Can these termites be controlled, or better yet, prevented? And what are the best methods to use?
While fumigation, or tenting, can be
effective against drywood termites, Formosan colonies aren't seriously affected by fumigation because
they have both underground and above ground nests. They will lose some workers, after tenting, but eventually
the termites return. For this reason fumigation should never be the primary method of treatment
for Formosan subterranean termites.
Termite bait stations work by attracting termites and then feeding them poisoned bait. Bait stations
have been around since the mid 1990's. Bait stations are highly effective when in the hands of a
trained professional. Over the years bait stations have proven extremely valuable, and become the
primary method of protecting and treating properties from Formosan termites.
The entire Gulf Coast, including the coast of Florida is either currently under attack from, or a
potential target of Formosan subterranean termites. The only defense consists of annual termite
inspections by professionals and underground bait stations monitored by professionals.
The Formosan termite colonies have been found in eleven states. If
you have any doubts about whether termites can be a problem for your home and property, call
a local termite inspector now.
About the Author: Termite protection is less expensive than termite damage. Russ Frank,
owner of Florida Bug Inspectors, is now offering a complete
termite control and protection plan, beginning with a
professional termite inspection.
News and Videos about Termites
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(Image Credit: Public Domain) University of Florida Researchers have been investigating how termites break down wood for food, in order to find an easier way to convert plant material to ethanol. So far they have identified two enzymes the insects use to soften tough molecules called lignin which envelope the sugar molecules. These enzymes could be used for creating cellulosic ethanol, which is ...
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SAN DIEGO COUNTY Carpenter ants can be a nuisance to many people and can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to homes. Identifying and treating carpenter ants can prevent financial consequences from this invading pest.Many times carpenter ant damage is mistaken for damage caused by termites. While the two insects can both wreak havoc to the structures of a home, identifying the difference ...
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GLENOLDEN ? Many Interboro players talk about their early football experiences in glowing terms when they refer to their days in the uniform of the Prospect Park Termites.
Jared Leadbetter: Energy Conversion in the Microbial World2 Sep 2010 at 11:27am
Caltech's Jared Leadbetter, an associate professor of environmental microbiology, recently led a team of researchers in uncovering the genetic underpinnings and the roles of microbes in wood digestion by termites. In this lecture, he explained how wood is converted to a product useful to its host and discussed how this knowledge relates to current energy issues.
Guest Post: A Termite-Riddled House: Treasury Bonds31 Aug 2010 at 9:39pm
Submitted by Gonzalo Lira A Termite-Riddled House: Treasury Bonds When termites eat your house, you don?t notice a thing. You don?t hear a thing, you don?t see a thing?you?re house stands there, silent and staid, while you and your family happily go about your days, without a care in the world? ?until your house crashes on top of your head. Right now, we are at a stage where Treasury bonds ...
BIG ALS RECORD BARN HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL HANSEN 2010 Scott Baio 8-Track.
my record collection destroyed by termites but not all of them
