Formosan Termite Facts
Formosan Termite Behavior
Thought to have been introduced in port cities throughout the Southeastern US from Chinese and southern Asian cargo ships in the 1960s, Formosan termnites are one of the most destructive termite species in the Southeastern US. Formosan termites are an invasive, aggressive, subterranean termite species. Subterranean termites cause the most damage to structures worldwide.
Deemed “super termites,” Formosan termites are aggressive, building giant underground nests that can contain millions of termites that, along with their voracious appetites for wood and their rapid reproduction rates render these subterranean termites “formidable foes.”
Formosan termites not only attack and destroy structural timbers but have also been known to attack live trees and utility poles. With enough time, Formosan termites can weaken utility poles to the point where they could possibly even fall over, causing a service interruption. Attacking the wood on boats and barges, as well, Formosan termites can destroy ships and barges in a matter of months.
Formosan termites swarm in the morning or early evening usually after a rain in the spring, but can swarm at any time of the year.