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.
A typical Formosan termite colony has a gigantic appetite. Experts say the average native subterranean termite colony can consume around 7 pounds of wood per year. On the other hand, a Formosan colony can ingest more than 1,000 pounds of wood. To understand the difference, look at the size of the colony. Colonies of Formosan termites can number more than 10 million termites. Colonies of native subterranean termites often are less than 1 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.
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.
Property along the entire Gulf Coast, from Florida to Texas is in danger from Formosan termites. The only effective protection available to property owners is to find a termite professional that offers a protection program. These programs typically include an annual termite inspection and the installation and monitoring of bait stations. - 15485
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.
A typical Formosan termite colony has a gigantic appetite. Experts say the average native subterranean termite colony can consume around 7 pounds of wood per year. On the other hand, a Formosan colony can ingest more than 1,000 pounds of wood. To understand the difference, look at the size of the colony. Colonies of Formosan termites can number more than 10 million termites. Colonies of native subterranean termites often are less than 1 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.
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.
Property along the entire Gulf Coast, from Florida to Texas is in danger from Formosan termites. The only effective protection available to property owners is to find a termite professional that offers a protection program. These programs typically include an annual termite inspection and the installation and monitoring of bait stations. - 15485
About the Author:
Protect your property with a professional termite protection program. Russ Frank, owner of FBI and a termite control expert, now offers a protection plan, starting with a professional termite inspection.
