In 1991 Tampa first discovered Formosan subterranean termites near Tampa International Airport. By 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 can be detected. Therefore property owners must become more vigilant. Frequent inspections and immediate treatment by trained professionals must be implemented. These are the only protection against the slow silent Formosan invasion.
It's obvious that Tampa and the west coast of Florida are at risk. But the scope of the problem is much wider. Within Florida the Formosan termite has been found in at least 14 other Florida counties. The risk actually extends to all coastal communities in Florida and beyond that to the entire Gulf Coast. And to top it off, Formosan termites, once established have never been eradicated from an area.
In the French Quarter of New Orleans more than 90% of the buildings are infested. Throughout New Orleans, Formosan termites cost more than $300 million per year for control and repair. In Hawaii, Formosan subterranean termites are now believed to be the single most economically important insect pest.
Formosan termites have a considerable appetite for wood. An average native subterranean termite colony can ingest about 7 pounds of wood per year. A Formosan termite colony will easily eat more than 1,000 pounds of wood. Colony size is the difference. Formosan termite colonies may number above 10 million termites, while a typical native subterranean colony often numbers under 1 million.
Formosan termites 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.
How can the dreaded Formosan subterranean termites be controlled or prevented? Fumigation, while is effective against drywood termites, it doesn't affect Formosans very seriously. They have both above ground and underground nests. Fumigation will kill some workers, but the strength of the colony won't be diminished very much. Fumigation should never be considered the primary treatment method for Formosan 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. - 16955
There is little doubt that new Formosan colonies are being formed in Tampa and around Florida. They are multiplying more quickly than they can be detected. Therefore property owners must become more vigilant. Frequent inspections and immediate treatment by trained professionals must be implemented. These are the only protection against the slow silent Formosan invasion.
It's obvious that Tampa and the west coast of Florida are at risk. But the scope of the problem is much wider. Within Florida the Formosan termite has been found in at least 14 other Florida counties. The risk actually extends to all coastal communities in Florida and beyond that to the entire Gulf Coast. And to top it off, Formosan termites, once established have never been eradicated from an area.
In the French Quarter of New Orleans more than 90% of the buildings are infested. Throughout New Orleans, Formosan termites cost more than $300 million per year for control and repair. In Hawaii, Formosan subterranean termites are now believed to be the single most economically important insect pest.
Formosan termites have a considerable appetite for wood. An average native subterranean termite colony can ingest about 7 pounds of wood per year. A Formosan termite colony will easily eat more than 1,000 pounds of wood. Colony size is the difference. Formosan termite colonies may number above 10 million termites, while a typical native subterranean colony often numbers under 1 million.
Formosan termites 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.
How can the dreaded Formosan subterranean termites be controlled or prevented? Fumigation, while is effective against drywood termites, it doesn't affect Formosans very seriously. They have both above ground and underground nests. Fumigation will kill some workers, but the strength of the colony won't be diminished very much. Fumigation should never be considered the primary treatment method for Formosan 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. - 16955
About the Author:
Russ Frank, owner of Florida Bug Inspectors, is a leading termite control expert in Tampa Bay. Don't wait for termites to attack your property, put a complete termite protection plan in place, beginning with a thorough termite inspection.
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