What are Formosan subterranean termites and where did they come from?
Formosan termites are a non-native pest believed to have been brought into the United States after World War II on military ships carrying supplies from east Asia and the Pacific Islands. Their main points of entry were New Orleans and Lake Charles, La.; Galveston and Houston, Texas; and Charleston, S.C. Where are they found? How many states are infested with them? The termites have been found in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. What’s the difference between these termites and other termites? Formosan termite colonies are much larger (containing about ten times the number) than native termite colonies. One important difference is that Formosan termites build more nests above ground. They attack live oak, ash trees and water-bound live bald cypress trees and are known to infest more than 50 living plant species. Because of their more aggressive nature and larger colony size, they are replacing th
