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 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.
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.
Can these termites be controlled, or better yet, prevented? While fumigation, or tenting, can be effective against drywood termites, Formosan colonies aren't seriously affected by fumigation because they have both underground and above ground nests. They will lose some workers, after tenting, the termites return. For this reason fumigation should never be the primary method of treatment for Formosan subterranean 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, including the coast of Florida is either currently under attack from, or a potential target of Formosan subterranean termites. The only defense consists of annual termite inspections by professionals and underground bait stations monitored by professionals. - 15432
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 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.
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.
Can these termites be controlled, or better yet, prevented? While fumigation, or tenting, can be effective against drywood termites, Formosan colonies aren't seriously affected by fumigation because they have both underground and above ground nests. They will lose some workers, after tenting, the termites return. For this reason fumigation should never be the primary method of treatment for Formosan subterranean 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, including the coast of Florida is either currently under attack from, or a potential target of Formosan subterranean termites. The only defense consists of annual termite inspections by professionals and underground bait stations monitored by professionals. - 15432
About the Author:
Protect your property from termites. Florida Bug Inspectors offers a complete termite protection plan, starting with a complete termite inspection. Russ Frank, owner of FBI, is a leading termite control professional in Tampa Bay.
