Formosan termites are a very invasive species which spreads very fast. They have three groups, which are the reproductives, the soldiers and the workers. Each has their own unique identification. The reproductive termites are yellowish-brown with a lot of small hairs on the wings. They are between twelve and fifteen millimeters long. The soldiers and workers have an oval-shaped head which is orange-brown with curved mandibles and a whitish colored body. If they are disturbed, they will attack an object moving toward them. They may also secrete a white glue-like fluid.
Formosan subterranean termites are also called super termites because they consume wood at an amazingly fast rate. One colony can destroy thirteen ounces of wood daily. It does not take long to destroy a structure. They also have very large colonies with several million in each colony. Other subterranean termites have several hundred thousand in each colony. The Formosan subterranean termites will destroy boats, high-rise condominiums, trees and anything containing wood or paper. Their colonies are above ground and below ground allowing them to destroy the whole structure of a building. They are attracted to lights so they are normally found around windows, light fixtures or any place that is bright.
A single Formosan subterranean termite does not consume more than any other termite but because their colonies are larger they are a greater threat. They will hollow out the wood until it is paper-thin. It may look like it is peeling or blistered. Carton nest material may be made out of termite excrements, soil or chewed wood. They are usually found between walls or around sinks.
The Formosan subterranean termites were introduced to the United States 1956. It is believed that they were transported in wooden shoring timbers from the Far East through the Houston Ship Channel in Texas. They have spread to other states now, mostly in the warmer climates because their eggs will not hatch below 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
Formosan Termites – The Super Termites
Posted by Theo Williams in Animals
Formosan termites are a very invasive species which spreads very fast. They have three groups, which are the reproductives, the soldiers and the workers. Each has their own unique identification. The reproductive termites are yellowish-brown with a lot of small hairs on the wings. They are between twelve and fifteen millimeters long. The soldiers and workers have an oval-shaped head which is orange-brown with curved mandibles and a whitish colored body. If they are disturbed, they will attack an object moving toward them. They may also secrete a white glue-like fluid.
Formosan subterranean termites are also called super termites because they consume wood at an amazingly fast rate. One colony can destroy thirteen ounces of wood daily. It does not take long to destroy a structure. They also have very large colonies with several million in each colony. Other subterranean termites have several hundred thousand in each colony. The Formosan subterranean termites will destroy boats, high-rise condominiums, trees and anything containing wood or paper. Their colonies are above ground and below ground allowing them to destroy the whole structure of a building. They are attracted to lights so they are normally found around windows, light fixtures or any place that is bright.
A single Formosan subterranean termite does not consume more than any other termite but because their colonies are larger they are a greater threat. They will hollow out the wood until it is paper-thin. It may look like it is peeling or blistered. Carton nest material may be made out of termite excrements, soil or chewed wood. They are usually found between walls or around sinks.
The Formosan subterranean termites were introduced to the United States 1956. It is believed that they were transported in wooden shoring timbers from the Far East through the Houston Ship Channel in Texas. They have spread to other states now, mostly in the warmer climates because their eggs will not hatch below 68 degrees Fahrenheit.