Formosan Termites are highly social and have an interdependent caste system. Each member belongs to a different caste and each has a role to play which the survival of the nest depends on.
- Queen – After mating, the queen becomes an automated egg laying machine. The body becomes grotesquely enlarged producing some 2,000 eggs per day. The queen can live 25 years or more.
- King – Lives with the queen where both are tended to by the workers in the colony.
- Workers – Largest caste in the colony and does the most damage. A colony that has expanded it’s growth into the millions will have over 350,000 workers foraging for food. They have no wings, are sterile and blind. Work 24 hours a day for entire life span.
- Soldiers – Protect the colony from invaders. Soldiers have an orange colored head with mandibular pincers which are used to crush attackers. Ants are mortal enemies to subterranean termites. The presence of ants may be another overlooked sign that you need a termite inspection.
- Swarmers – Swarm on hot, humid evenings at dusk. They have eyes and wings but are poor fliers swept along by the wind, where they land, lose their wings, find a mate from another colony to become either a king or queen and start a new colony. Swarmers are released by the thousands. If a swarm of Formosan subterranean termites is observed, it is a strong indication that a large colony is nearby.
Control begins with eliminating conducive conditions that attract subterranean termites. Inside your home, reduce humidity in crawl spaces, attics and basements. Proper ventillation will help reduce moisture. Formosan subterranean termites need a warm climate of 68 degrees or warmer for their eggs to hatch. Keeping the inside of your home cool and dry will help keep termites away.
Diverting water away from the foundation of your home, ensuring proper functioning of downspouts, gutters and splash blocks will aid in keeping your home from appearing like a viable nesting place for the Formosan termite.
Move firewood well away from the exterior perimeter of your home, at least 20 feet. And create a 1 inch gap between the soil and wood portions of your home. A primary and ideal nesting place for subterranean termites is moist soil.
Valrico Pest Control employs several methods of control for the Formosan subterranean termite. Your pest control technician may install several bait and monitor traps in the ground surrounding your home. If an active infestation is found, a trench and treat method may be indicated for extermination.
If you suspect your home is under an invasion of subterranean termites, which might be the highly aggressive and destructive, Formosan Termite then you should contact us today. If not now, then when? Why wait until your home is a shell of what it was when you purchased it? Protect your investment and write or call us today.
