Table of Contents
How was the Formosan termite introduced?
Photograph by Nan-Yao Su, University of Florida. The Formosan subterranean termite generally invades structures from the ground. They commonly enter through expansion joints, cracks and utility conduits in slabs. Any wood-to-ground contact is an inviting entrance for Formosan subterranean termite infestations.
When was the Formosan termite introduced?
The Formosan subterranean termite was first identified in Houston, Texas in 1966 (Beal 1987). Documentation of infestations followed in New Orleans and Lake Charles, Louisiana and Galveston, Texas (La Fage 1987). In New Orleans, Formosan subterranean termite populations are well-established in the metro area.
How did the subterranean termite first arrive in the United States?
By 1965 colonies of Formosan termites were appearing in the southern states. It has been theorized that soldiers returning to the US from southeast Asia brought Formosan termites back with them, not deliberately of course.
Where did Formosan termites originate?
southern China
The Formosan termite was described from Taiwan (Formosa) in the early 1900s, but is native to southern China. Formosan termites have long been a pest in Hawaii, dating back to 1905, but were not discovered in the continental states until 1956.
How did the Formosan subterranean termite get to the US?
What do Formosan termites eat?
cellulose
Diet. Like most termites, the Formosan subterranean termite mostly eats cellulose-based materials like paper, wood and cardboard. The workers eat the cellulose material, and they rely on bacteria and flagellates in their guts to aid the digestion of the material.
What is Formosan treatment?
Formosan Termite Treatment and Control There are termiticides and baits such as the Hex Pro Termite Baiting System have been successful at getting rid of Formosan Termites, as well as other termite species. Bora Care can be used as a wood treatment to help prevent Formosan termite infestations.
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.
Where does Formosan termite come from?
The Formosan termite was described from Taiwan (Formosa) in the early 1900s, but is native to southern China. Formosan termites have long been a pest in Hawaii, dating back to 1905, but were not discovered in the continental states until 1956.
How do you control Formosan 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.
What are Formosan termites?
Formosan termites are a subterranean species of termite with three distinct castes: alates (or reproductive), soldiers and workers.
What is Coptotermes formosanus?
The genus Coptotermes contains the largest number of termite pests (28 species) among the >3,100 termite species worldwide, and the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus, is the most widely distributed and most economically important.
How many termites are in a colony of termites?
A single colony of Formosan subterranean termite may contain several million termites (versus several hundred thousand termites for native subterranean termite species) that forage up to 300 ft in soil ( Figure 1 ).
Are there Formosan termites in Hawaii?
The Formosan termite was described from Taiwan (Formosa) in the early 1900s, but is native to southern China. Formosan termites have long been a pest in Hawaii, dating back to 1905, but were not discovered in the continental states until 1956.