Where did the Formosan subterranean termite come from?
The Formosan termite (Coptotermes formosanus) is a species of termite that has been transported worldwide from its native range in southern China to Taiwan (formerly known as Formosa, where it gets its name), Japan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Hawaii, and the continental United States.
Are Formosan and subterranean termites the same?
Formosan termites are a type of subterranean termite that nests within the soil. They invade structures from the soil directly through wood to ground contact, or using mud tubes they construct up from the soil. Formosan termites also can construct a carton which helps retain moisture in the nest.
Why is the Formosan subterranean termite a problem?
Although colonies of several million termites are known, a mature Formosan termite colony can eat about 31 grams or 1+ ounce per day. At this rate, such a colony could completely consume one foot of 2X4 wood in 25 days – causing severe structural damage to a home in as little as six months.
How do Formosan termites spread?
Shoring timbers and recycled railroad ties are often taken from docks and railways and used for construction of terraces or backyard planting beds. This wood is thought to be the primary mechanism for spreading the Formosan termite in Texas.
What causes Formosan termites to swarm?
Formosan termites will swarm at night and are attracted to lights. The presence of Formosan termite swarms indicates that there is a colony nearby and suggests they may be attacking a nearby building or tree. If swarmers are found inside a house it is a strong indication there is an active infestation.
Do Formosan termites fly?
Unlike the native subterranean termites in Louisiana that swarm during the day, the Formosan subterranean termites fly at dusk, and they prefer warm, humid, and windless evenings.
What pesticide kills Formosan termites?
Vikane
One of the most common forms of treatment used against formosan termites is fumigation. Vikane is a popular fumigant used by pest control companies to fumigate for Formosan Termites.
Do subterranean termites eat across the grain of the wood?
Drywood termites, in fact, usually live inside the wood structures they feed on. Eating habits differ, too: drywood termites eat all of the wood structure they inhabit, eating across the grain, whereas the subterranean kind eats the softer parts of wood and always with the grain.
How do worker termites communicate?
How do termites communicate? Termites communicate via chemical means, such as pheromones (alarm, trail, contact, sex), where one termite can change the behavior of another termite. Some pheromones require termite-to-termite contact for communication, while other pheromones are volatile and can travel through the air.
How do you get rid of Formosan subterranean termites?
the best way of treating Formosan termites is to dig a trench around the home and place the treatment in the trench to act as a barrier. Taurus SC is our go-to product to use as it is a non-repellent that will kill termites without them knowing it. Dig a trench around your home 6 inches deep and 6 inches wide.
How deep do subterranean termites go?
18-20 feet deep
Subterranean termites are ground-dwelling social insects living in colonies. The two species found in Nebraska have similar habitats. These termites have the ability to adjust the depth of their colony (nest) in soil depending on temperature and moisture requirements. The colony may be 18-20 feet deep in the ground.
Do Formosan termites leave frass?
Different species of termites can leave different droppings. Formosan subterranean termite frass, for example, use their own droppings to form tubes in basements or any other ground space where there is a lot of wood around. Drywood termites abandon their frass from their nesting area.
Do subterranean termites only eat wet wood?
Yes, the three major kinds of termites in the United States are dampwood, drywood and subterranean. Dampwood termites commonly live in heavily forested areas of the country as they prefer wet wood; while, drywood termites, much more rare in the United States, prefer extremely dry wood.
Do termites communicate through touch?
This chemical pheromone trail is a vital part of the termites’ communication system as it ensures that the whole colony is fed. Termites can also detect the specific pheromones given off by the queen, which helps to regulate their caste system. Termites do exhibit some forms of “touch” behaviors.
Are subterranean termites blind?
Are They Blind? Unlike many pests, termites rely on other senses more than eyesight to interact with the world around them. In fact, termites use their eyes so little that some are even born without them. While termite kings, queens, and reproductives have small, weak eyes, workers and soldiers are entirely blind.
Do subterranean termites fly?
In the Sonoran Desert of southeastern California, Heterotermes aureus is the most destructive species of subterranean termites. This species has light-brown winged forms that fly in the early evening and are attracted to lights.
Can you drown subterranean termites?
Termites can drown. Termites can survive underwater for an extended amount of time, but they can’t do it forever. According to Dr. Gregg Henderson of the LSU AgCenter, subterranean termites do not move to higher ground in a flood situation.
What is a Formosan subterranean termite?
The Formosan subterranean termite is the most destructive insect in Louisiana. Formosan subterranean termites are more aggressive and cause more damage than native subterranean termite species because of special biological attributes. Formosan and subterranean termite biology, ecology and behavior are compared and contrasted.
How are Formosan termites spreading in Texas?
Shoring timbers and recycled railroad ties are often taken from docks and railways and used for construction of terraces or backyard planting beds. This wood is thought to be the primary mechanism for spreading the Formosan termite in Texas.
Where do Formosan termites live in Florida?
In urban southeastern Florida where the Formosan subterranean termite was first found, its distribution has expanded to include much of the costal areas of Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties. Click this link for the most recent update of Formosan subterranean termite distribution in Florida.
Why choose a pest control specialist for Formosan termites?
Pest control specialists understand termite biology and behavior and can install the baits correctly, then monitor the process through frequent visits. Formosan termites consume food at a high rate so baits must be inspected frequently.