Termites up close – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Witsawat.S
The 15-by-4-foot plexiglass box initially appears to be a large work of art, perhaps an abstract representation of a leaf vein or a river delta. Then, however, you notice small, whitish objects scuttling along each vein as if they were white blood cells.
Perched over what he refers to as a “arena,” Thomas Chouvenc boastfully stated, “2.5 million of them are termites.” These are his babies, and he works as an urban entomologist at the University of Florida’s research center in Davie. About 25 million termites of different species are kept in his lab as researchers try to figure out how to eradicate them.
He declares, “Termite swarm season is almost upon us. There will be a lot of activity soon.”
Termite clouds will soon be visible throughout South Florida, circling porch and street lights. Additionally, you’ll undoubtedly witness the subsequent tenting operations while landowners fumigate.
However, Chouvenc cautions that those tents only address the West Indian drywood termite, the least harmful of Florida’s three termite species.
The other two species are really more harmful and may spread far more quickly, making them invasive. Since the 1990s, they have been present and are growing, impacting an increasing number of South Florida neighborhoods and migrating north. Furthermore, not just houses are in danger. Fort Lauderdale’s magnificent tree canopies are also disappearing.
The Formosan subterranean termite and the Asian subterranean termite are both gregarious species that establish colonies underground or inside of trees.
Their remarkable colonies can reach out 100 yards in any direction with their probing tendrils in search of food, much like a complicated web of veins. The termites can construct a bridge out of their excrement to climb up and enter your home if those veins come across it.
Everything is almost invisible. However, the three harmful species reveal themselves when they swarm in the spring and summer at distinct times.
In March, Asian termites begin to swarm. The drywood termites swarm from early May to the end of June, while the Formosan termites swarm from late April to early May.
The harm
According to Chouvenc, “drywood termites can cause damage over time, but they’re trapped in a single piece of wood.”
They can, for example, dwell in a beam in your attic, but their ability to cause harm is limited until the colony grows to the point where they can form a swarm, which takes five years.
As a kind of Johnny Appleseed evangelist for the dangers of invasive species, Chouvenc stated, “But with subterranean termites, any sign you see is the tip of the iceberg.”
Since the primary colony is located in the ground or under a tree outside the home, tenting is ineffective. Merely eliminating the termites within the house with fumigation will result in their re-infestation.
A colony of subterranean termites may eat 900 pounds of wood in a year, and each colony is made up of millions of individuals. Compared to drywood termites, they can locate and destroy more wood more quickly thanks to their veins.
Put otherwise, termite treatment varies greatly depending on the species.
Eric Hoffer, whose company, Hoffer Pest Solutions, has been operating since 1975 and serves Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties, stated, “When we go out and do a treatment we really gotta identify the difference between the subterranean termite we’re dealing with.” He also agreed that the newer termites are more destructive.
“The termite problem is changing in Florida, so we are entering a new normal in terms of potential termite damage,” stated Chouvenc. “Several invasive termite species have thrived and caused structural damage to our homes… and impact on our urban tree canopy because of Florida’s year-round, warm climate.”
How to identify if your house is in danger from termites
You may determine which termite species are present in your area by utilizing the interactive termite distribution map created by Chouvenc and his colleagues at the University of Florida. To obtain an idea of sighting densities and the duration of a species’ presence in your neighborhood, you can zoom in on one or more species.
The data was extracted by researchers from a thirty-year partnership with exterminators. According to Chouvenc, the map is skewed since it only displays areas where people report seeing termites, meaning that areas with higher population densities will naturally have more sightings.
Look for mud tubes that emerge from the earth and go to your home’s foundation if you suspect that subterranean termites are living on your property.
They serve as high tunnels that link the colony tentacles with fresh food sources and shield the termites inside from the sun and predators. They resemble thick straw covered in brown sand. Termites use dirt and their excrement to make mud.
When remodeling, make sure to check the beams and search for mud tubes by following the grain of the wood along tree trunks and branches.
Unusual wetness traces in your home could indicate the presence of subterranean termites rather than a roof leak. Termites are known to transmit moisture.
You’ll notice tiny, coffee-ground-like droppings all around the house when you have drywood termites.
“You live in an area that’s at risk if a termite fly into your house; it doesn’t mean your house is infested,” explained Chouvenc.
It’s not often a huge concern if you notice swarms around your porch light, he said. “That isn’t the issue. The colony that has been munching on the tree next door is the issue. Swarms are made of smoke. “Where is the fire located?”
According to Chouvenc, 99.9% of termites that fly will perish. “They’re dead if they fly into your house. You need not be concerned. It’s a different story if they live with you. There is a fire in your home.
While challenging, species identification is vital. A free identifying service is available from the University of Florida. If you discover termites, mail them in in a zip-top bag or deliver the bag to the University of Florida IFAS’s Davie extension campus (Termite ID Team, Ft Lauderdale Research and Education Center, 3205 College Ave, Davie).
To locate them, there are a few crucial spots. Termites frequently perish beneath the lights that attract them. Checking adjacent spider webs is another option. Chouvenc advised picking out dead termites, “but don’t hurt the spider.” He suggests inspecting the pool as well. “The surface of the pool will be covered in termite damage. Gather them up and forward them inside.
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Mike has more than 30 years of experience in marketing and public relations. He once owned his own agency and has worked with some of the largest brands in the world.
