Formosan subterranean termites were discovered in Tampa near Tampa International Airport in 1991. A termite inspection found an established colony in nearby Temple Terrace in 1999. Soon after that they were detected in a warehouse in South Tampa. In 2003, they were they were detected 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 isn't just Tampa, or even Florida's central west coast at risk, its coastal communities throughout Florida and across the Gulf Coast. The Formosan termite has now been found in at least 14 other Florida counties. The fact is that once Formosan termites become established, they've never been eradicated from an area.
Fact: 90% of the buildings in the French Quarter of New Orleans are infested by Formosan termites. Control of Formosan termites and repair of the damage they cause cost New Orleans property owners $300 million annually. Formosan termites are also considered the single most economically important insect pest in Hawaii.
Formosan subterranean termites have quite an appetite for wood. According to experts, an average native subterranean termite colony can eat about 7 pounds of wood per year. A Formosan colony can consume more than 1,000 pounds of wood. The difference in the size of the colonies is the reason. Native subterranean termite colonies typically number under 1 million termites. Formosan termite colonies can easily exceed 10 million termites.
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.
What methods of prevention or control exist? Fumigation, a standard for drywood termites, is not effective for subterranean termites. Formosan subterranean termites have both underground and above ground nests, so fumigation, or tenting, will only kill those termites inside the building being fumigated. The portion of the colony that is underground will not be affected. When the gas clears, the termites will return.
Bait stations have been use to detect and prevent termites since the mid 1990's. These devices work by attracting termites and then using very small amounts of slow-acting poison to kill the colony over many months. These bait stations are very effective when used by a trained termite professional. Over many years they've become the primary tool used to protect and treat 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.
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 isn't just Tampa, or even Florida's central west coast at risk, its coastal communities throughout Florida and across the Gulf Coast. The Formosan termite has now been found in at least 14 other Florida counties. The fact is that once Formosan termites become established, they've never been eradicated from an area.
Fact: 90% of the buildings in the French Quarter of New Orleans are infested by Formosan termites. Control of Formosan termites and repair of the damage they cause cost New Orleans property owners $300 million annually. Formosan termites are also considered the single most economically important insect pest in Hawaii.
Formosan subterranean termites have quite an appetite for wood. According to experts, an average native subterranean termite colony can eat about 7 pounds of wood per year. A Formosan colony can consume more than 1,000 pounds of wood. The difference in the size of the colonies is the reason. Native subterranean termite colonies typically number under 1 million termites. Formosan termite colonies can easily exceed 10 million termites.
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.
What methods of prevention or control exist? Fumigation, a standard for drywood termites, is not effective for subterranean termites. Formosan subterranean termites have both underground and above ground nests, so fumigation, or tenting, will only kill those termites inside the building being fumigated. The portion of the colony that is underground will not be affected. When the gas clears, the termites will return.
Bait stations have been use to detect and prevent termites since the mid 1990's. These devices work by attracting termites and then using very small amounts of slow-acting poison to kill the colony over many months. These bait stations are very effective when used by a trained termite professional. Over many years they've become the primary tool used to protect and treat 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.
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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