Key to Stopping Termite Damage is Termite Inspection
In 1991 Tampa first discovered Formosan subterranean termites near Tampa International Airport. By 1999 they were discovered in nearby Temple Terrace as well. Not long after, a termite inspection discovered them in a warehouse in South Tampa. In 2003, a termite inspection discovered them on Harbor Island, near downtown Tampa.
There is no doubt that new subterranean colonies are now forming in or near Tampa. They just haven’t been found. Increased vigilance has become the order of the day. The remedy consists of regular termite inspections by trained professionals and immediate treatment if needed. These are the only protection property owners have against the slow, silent 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.
In New Orleans, where more than 90% of the buildings in the French Quarter are infested, Formosan termites are responsible for $300 million annually for control and repair costs. In the state of Hawaii, they are considered the single most economically important insect pest.
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.
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.
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, 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.