There is little that strikes dread in the heart of a pest control professional like the discovery of Formosan Subterranean Termites. Nobody wants to hear that they have termites of any kind, but the difference between Formosans and other subterranean termites is like the difference between the Terminator and Paul Blart, Mall Cop. We can almost hear the Formosans saying, “We’ll be back!”
It’s swarming season and subterraneans are known to swarm in spring. Swarms can be disconcerting and upsetting when homeowners suddenly find thousands of flying insects throughout their homes and porches. It’s impossible to identify Formosan’s without careful study under a microscope. When we come across termites, we examine them, then, even if we suspect it’s Formosan, we send it to the University of Florida for confirmation.
We wrote about this last year, and unfortunately, the impacts of Formosans on our area are getting worse. Check out this map to see where Formosans have been confirmed in our area. The number of yellow dots is increasing every year. Could be in a neighborhood near you.
Formosan termites, a non-native invasive species, are kind of like regular termites on steroids. They are seven to 10 times more aggressive than common subterraneans and can quickly overpower and outnumber natives. Think about this for a minute, Formosans consume a one foot long 2 x 4 every 25 days. Every. 25. DAYS. That’s about fifteen 2 x 4s per year if undetected and untreated.
Like all subterraneans, Formosans rely on moisture from soil to survive, but they have an advantage over the natives here too. Most subterraneans must stop eating and return to the soil to get moisture. Formosans build nest boxes that store water for their colony. They never have to leave – they just eat and destroy.
Formosan colonies also can outsize a regular subterranean colony by as much as 10 times the size. Think of 10 Paul Blart mall cops eating at a buffet and 100 Terminators come in to take over the buffet. It’s kind of like that. The exponential calculations are chilling – millions upon millions of Terminator termites devouring your house.
Formosan reproductive termites swarm on windowsills or near indoor lights. Night hours are the most common times for swarms and can indicate that a colony is nearby. If swarms are found inside, there’s a really good chance of an infestation. They often leave telltale wings on the windowsills that we can use for identification purposes.
Although swarming season only lasts through spring, Formosans Subterranean Termites are with us all year long. Now is the time to protect your home. We have the latest treatment methods and are happy to provide a free estimate. Even if you don’t have Formosan termites, we can identify and treat all termites with the most cost-effective means available. Ask your tech if you qualify for the $150 spring special voucher toward new services. You’ve invested a lot into your house. Don’t let a Terminator bully bug take it down. Our services are guaranteed, so if they do come back, we’re ready for them and will retreat at no extra cost. Bring it on Terminator – Tempco Techs are the EX-terminators!
