Imagine a small termite having the capacity to burrow 300 feet below the ground. Is it possible for a single creature to do this? Well, no.
Formosan termites also referred to as “super termites,” contain three social classes such as:
- the reproductive king and queen (alates)
- the protective soldiers
- the workers
Generally, it is difficult to distinguish the Formosan termites from other native species because of similar characteristics. However, the soldiers and alates provide us with the correct identification.
The native subterranean termites have rectangular heads, whereas the head of the Formosan termite soldiers is long.
These termite species are aggressive than the other native termite species. The Formosan termite soldiers may even release a white liquid used for defending their colonies.
The Formosan termite alates have a yellowish-brown color with half an inch of length. These alates have tiny hairs on their transparent wings.
How do the Formosan termites get into your house?
Formosan termites find their way inside your home via wood that touches the soil in the ground. They travel through the underground using mud tubes. Common entrances include cracks, crevices, and unsealed joints. These species also tend to make aerial colonies, thereby infesting roofs and other spots high on the ground. The termites get attracted to places having high moisture content. Make sure to remove the wooden piles to avoid getting the termites inside your home.
How serious are Formosan termites?
Formosan termites can multiply incredibly and breed in large numbers. Once they reach the adult stage, these termite species create havoc inside the house and destroys wooden elements faster than the native termite species.
These termite species consume more wood than the native species as the colony size gets larger. Formosan termites can nest millions of termite alates, and once the infestation occurs, it is difficult to remove.
Formosan termite prevention:
Let’s peek into some of the preventive techniques for termite prevention:
- Use a concrete foundation.
- Leave ventilation between the soil and wood.
- Cover exposed wood surfaces with metal barriers.
- Keep the soil foundation dry with the proper drainage system.
- Keep a constant check on the cracks and crevices and get them repaired immediately.
- Keep the vents blockage free.
- Do not plant the trees near the wooden surface.
- Do not pile up firewood and store debris near the house.
Prevention is the first step to avoid termites from nesting, but if they have already infested the house, you need to use various termite treatments to remove the infestation.
Non-chemical termite treatments:
- Use steel mesh of particular sizes to create physical barriers.
- Use biological control agents approved by the laboratory to remove the termite infestation.
Chemical termite treatments:
- Use liquid soil termiticides.
- Termite baits
- Wood treatments
When to call the trained experts?
After preventing and carrying out necessary termite treatments, if nothing works, call the professional experts immediately.Tags: Termite Control, Termites