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 can be little doubt that new Formosan termite colonies are now established in or near Tampa. Unfortunately, they haven't yet been found. Increased awareness is critical. The only options are frequent termite inspections by trained professionals and, if needed, immediate treatment. The silent invasion by the Formosan termite leaves few other options.
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 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.
Few food sources are off limits to Formosan termites. They will eat furniture, books and even living trees. They are quite extremely persistent in finding an entry into a building. They can chew through thin lead, copper sheeting, PVC, foam insulation boards, plaster, asphalt, rubber, and some plastics to find wood. Other termites cannot. Formosan termites can find, and fit through cracks through concrete as small as 1/16".
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 have been around since the mid 1990's. They work by using very small amounts of slow-acting poison over many months. In the hands of a trained termite professional, they've proven their worth and over the years have become the primary method of protecting and treating properties under attack by Formosan termites.
The entire Gulf Coast, from Texas to Florida is currently under attack, or under threat of attack from Formosan subterranean termites. Frequent termite inspections, and protection programs that include bait stations monitored regularly by termite professionals offer the best defense for property owners. - 16732
There can be little doubt that new Formosan termite colonies are now established in or near Tampa. Unfortunately, they haven't yet been found. Increased awareness is critical. The only options are frequent termite inspections by trained professionals and, if needed, immediate treatment. The silent invasion by the Formosan termite leaves few other options.
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 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.
Few food sources are off limits to Formosan termites. They will eat furniture, books and even living trees. They are quite extremely persistent in finding an entry into a building. They can chew through thin lead, copper sheeting, PVC, foam insulation boards, plaster, asphalt, rubber, and some plastics to find wood. Other termites cannot. Formosan termites can find, and fit through cracks through concrete as small as 1/16".
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 have been around since the mid 1990's. They work by using very small amounts of slow-acting poison over many months. In the hands of a trained termite professional, they've proven their worth and over the years have become the primary method of protecting and treating properties under attack by Formosan termites.
The entire Gulf Coast, from Texas to Florida is currently under attack, or under threat of attack from Formosan subterranean termites. Frequent termite inspections, and protection programs that include bait stations monitored regularly by termite professionals offer the best defense for property owners. - 16732
About the Author:
Russ Frank is a leading termite protection professional in the Tampa Bay area, and owner of Florida Bug Inspectors. Now is the time to put a good termite protection program in place, beginning with a complete termite inspection.
