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Welcome to WK Pest Management Services
What Are Formosan Termites?
What Are Formosan Termites?
Formosan termites are a subterranean species of termite with three distinct castes: alates (or reproductive), soldiers and workers. Often referred to as “super termites,” they are the most voracious, aggressive and devious of over 2,000 termite species known to science, chewing through wood, flooring and even wallpaper undetected.
How did I get formosan termites?
Formosan termites come into homes via wood that touches the soil and by travelling from the ground to wood using their mud tubes. Common entrances include inside homes include openings created by unsealed joints or cracks. Aerial colonies may also infest roofs and other spots high above the ground. These pests flock to sources of wood, especially moist wood and wood located in places containing excessive moisture in the soil where water puddles instead of running off from around the home’s exterior.
What are the signs of a Formosan termite infestation?
Damage
Homeowners performing renovations may discover termite damage. As termites consume the wood they leave behind smooth sided galleries. Damaged wood may also cause walls or other parts of the structure to sag.
Swarmers
In late spring or early summer, Formosan colonies may produce swarms of winged males and females called reproductives. They are about 15 mm long, including their wings. They can be differentiated from winged ants by their straight antennae, equal-length front and hind wings, as well as their straight-sided waist.
Identification
Identification
Appearance
Appearance
Formosan termites are social insects with three distinct forms (castes):
the wingless or winged reproductives (alates)
the protector soldiers
the workers
Since Formosan termite workers look very much like workers of other termite groups, the soldiers and winged alates are the castes that are useful to provide a correct identification.
Since differentiation between Formosan termites and other termite groups is not easy, it is best to contact your pest management professional for help with providing an accurate identification.
The head of a Formosan termite soldier is oblong, whereas indigenous subterranean termites have rectangular heads. Formosan termite soldiers are also more aggressive when defending the nest than native subterranean termite soldiers.
When disturbed, the soldiers release a white liquid that is used for defense.
The alates, or swarmers, are yellowish-brown and about ½ inch long. Alates have a thick covering of small hairs on their otherwise transparent wings.
Behavior, Diet and Habits
Habitat
Habitat
Formosan termites are a type of subterranean termite that nests within the soil. They invade structures from the soil directly through wood to ground contact, or using mud tubes they construct up from the soil. Formosan termites also can construct a carton which helps retain moisture in the nest. This can allow them to build nests that do not require them to return to the soil like most subterranean termites.
Diet
Diet
Like all termites, they consume cellulose material such as wood.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Colonies contain a queen which can produce more than 1,000 eggs per day. New colonies are created when winged males and females are released from the colony and swarm. They mate and go on to found new colonies.
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