Formosan Termites
What Are Formosan Termites?
Formosan termites were named so after their discovery in Taiwan in the early 1900’s. Their reputation for acute and total destruction of structures and the premises surrounding them, though, dates back as early as the 1600’s, when Japan was reportedly infested by these Chinese pests. Formosan termites are a subterranean species, which means that they prefer to build and grow their nesting sites under ground. These particular subterranean termites, however, go one better than our most common native termite. Nests of this species have been found to stretch as low as 300 feet below the soil. Also, just to better up on his competition, he enjoys a colony population somewhere in the tens of millions, whereas our native subterranean termite does enough damage in groups of around 200,000 or so.
You may have heard news reports on the Formosan termites who took over a large condominium complex in Hallandale, Florida during the 1980’s. Despite every effort, some would dare to say almost military in force, these termites are still a problem there. Once a colony of these termites has established below ground and within walls, it is thought to be a lost cause. Safety in numbers, say the Formosan termites. And we believe them, wholehearted.
Once the nesting site has been chosen, the structures or failing woodlands around and above it become fair territory for this subterranean insect. He will burrow tunnels as long as one half mile in search of easy passage for food storage and delivery. The food supply, of course, would be the cellulose within your wood structure boards and beams. He really doesn’t care where it comes from, as long as it is dense in nutrition. Of three million Formosan termites in a large colony, 98% of them will be workers, and they make no small measures toward the demolition of the site that they have chosen. Each worker termite will make an average of eleven trips per day for nutrients and tunnel building. This type of infestation can bring a structure crashing down within one month of onset!
Formosan termites who have migrated to North America, most believe from Hawaii, seem to enjoy the warmer climates, and no infestations or sightings have been reported north of Tennessee. The rest of the south and west, from the lower tip of Florida to the farthest point of California, is pretty much wide open to the possibility of crossing paths with this terrible termite. Thankfully, there are many preemptive measures available to these regions in hopes of deterring this insect from a nice cozy settle down beneath a thriving subdivision. Talk with your Department of Natural Resources and to your real estate professional in order to determine whether or not your home is at heightened risk of infestation.