Finding out that your home is infested with termites is every homeowner’s worst nightmare. The Formosan termite species happens to be the worst of the worst. They are the most ferocious subterranean termite species, capable of chewing through wood, wallpaper, and even flooring. The worst part is that they will do it right in front of you. Aside from houses, Formosan termites are notorious for destroying living trees, cable covers, shrubs, boats, and wooden railroads.
They are typically found in large colonies with three distinct castes within the species: the reproducing alates (swarmers), the workers, and the soldiers. The queen can lay up to 1000 eggs per day, and colonies expand when swarmers leave the territory, usually after rain.
So, in this article, we’ll look at termite identification, termite control, and termite prevention.
Identification
Here’s how to tell if you’re looking at the right species:
- They are either creamy white or brown.
- They have a body that is long, narrow, and oval.
- Their antennae are located on the top of their heads.
- They have six legs.
- They are common in mildly temperate areas such as Hawaii, North and South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, California, Louisiana, Virginia, and Texas.
Signs of Infestation of Formosan Termites
When you have Formosan termites on your property, you should note the following:
There shall be a lot of swarmers or winged reproductives. They will swarm and fly around whenever there is a light source because they are drawn to light. Their wings fall off, so if you notice this frequently happening near your windows, air vents, or doors, they could be nearby.
When you knock on a wooden frame and hear a hollow sound, that is yet another sign.
How to Get Rid of Formosan Termites
Getting rid of any pest necessitates the use of experts who are well-versed in the situation. Overall, the first thing they do is determine whether or not they are dealing with Formosan termites. The second step is to locate their nests, and the final step is to assess the level of damage.
Following these checks, they administer the appropriate treatment, which includes pesticides that target the core of the problem, which is the nests. Full fumigation of the home may be required, and the residents may be forced to evacuate for a few weeks until they are all dead.
How to Prevent Formosan Termite Infestations
Following the treatment, another assessment is performed. And several other procedures are carried out afterward to ensure that they are completely removed. If the damage is severe enough, the house, tree, or other affected area may need to be demolished and rebuilt, replanted, or replaced.
Homeowners must schedule professional termite inspections on an annual basis. Second, humid environments are ideal for Formosan termites and other species. And so, one way to keep them from multiplying is to reduce the amount of moisture in and around the house. This also applies to all crawl spaces.
If a home uses firewood, it should be placed at least 20 feet away from the house and above ground. The house’s foundation should also be inspected regularly for mud tubes or any wood damage.
