Formosan termites have been reported recently in the area nearby. What general knowledge can the pest control guys impart to the generalist inspectors among us?
I am used to sharing precautions to my clients about common subterranean termites and carpenter ants, but are there any differences that I should know about.
I heard on the evening news that a local pest control company identified and reported Formosan termites to Texas A&M.
I understand they are more destructive, but what can the average homeowner what for, the don't use tunnels, right?
Thanks, Jim

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Jim Luttrall
Mr. Inspector.net, Inc.
Allen, Texas 75002

Jerry would probably be best to answer this as he has had his PC license until recently.

Formosan termites are an offshoot of Subterranean termites. They are far more destructive and have more members of the colony. They are also very hard to get rid of.

From what I remember from years back, you have to treat the soil with double the strength of a Subterranean termite treatment and fumigate the property with 4 times the amount of Vikane gas. Also, all of the damage must be removed.

The Formosans leave behind "Carton" when they are done.

I recall selling one of those jobs a long time ago. After we had to re-treat the house three times, the company refunded all of the fees and told the owners, find someone else.

Some links for you:

The Formosan Termite A Formidable Foe!
Formosan Subterranean Termite
Formosan Subterranean Termite
Formosan Subterranean Termites
TAMU- Formosan Subterranean Termites

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Eric Van De Ven Magnum Inspections Inc. (954) 340-6615
www.magnuminspections.com
I still get paid to be suspicious when I got nothing to be suspicious about!

They are as far south as Rockport at the last report I got.

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The only reason some people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory.
- Paul Fix

Jim,

I've been in the termite business 20+ years now, and I've yet to ever run across Formosan termites here in our area.

There was supposedly a case here in Rockwall a few years ago.

The only time I have ever seen them was about 15 years ago while visiting St. John's in the Virgin Islands.

Actually, the subterranean termite activity has slowed down in the area here the last few years. I think it is more weather related. I don't think the chemicals or the baits is knocking them out altogether.

I've seen more of a increase in powder post beetles which is a more trouble to eradicate.

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Rick Hurst_Home Works Inspection Co_Rockwall TX
In the words of Mike Tyson.... "Everyone has a plan until they get hit inda mouf"

Formosan termites are subterrain termites on steroids. They can live like drywoods or subterrain. If they were in my area I would get out of the termite clearance letter business in a blink of an eye!

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Scott Patterson
Spring Hill, TN
http://www.traceinspections.com

Hey Rick,
I think we may use the same barber. I get mine cut the same way. I got tired of it hanging in my face, so now I have them cut it way back.

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The only reason some people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory.
- Paul Fix

I had read somewhere that all the trees that were shreaded from being knocked over during Katrina, had the bark and remnants sold all around the country.
PROBLEM WAS.... FRIGGIN FORMOSIAN TERMITES WERE STILL IN THE SHREADINGS AND DISTRIBUTED ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.... YIKES!!

RIchard (Just another 'Dick') Rushing

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"If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?"
Richard Rushing, HCRI
Duncanville, Tx.

I read a local article on that from the Orange Box aying beware of where you buy mulch.

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The only reason some people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory.
- Paul Fix

Here is the main difference between Formosan termites and regular Southeastern subterranean termites (as I remember it from many years ago).

Each regular old Southeastern subterranean termite actually eats more than each Formosan termite.

A regular Southeastern subterranean termite colony typically averages around 50,000-100,000 termites, however, a typical Formosan termite colony averages around 500,000-1,000,000 termites. Thus, while each Formosan may eat less, there is a ratio of 10:1, so the colony as a whole devours wood at a much faster rate.

They both take the same termiticide, at the same strength, however, the likelihood of getting the typical Southeastern sub colony is much higher than actually getting the typical Formosan colony, partially because of size of the colony and that the Formosans spread out over a larger area, making the colony harder to kill.

And, no, Formosan termites do not each concrete block, metal, or any of those other things attributed to them. They just eat a lot of wood, real quick.

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Jerry Peck, Construction / Litigation Consultant
Construction Litigation Consultants, LLC ( www.ConstructionLitigationConsultants.com )

I remember talking to a man in St. John's that owned a home there said it was cheaper just to repair the wood they ate compared to the cost of treatment which didn't last long.

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Rick Hurst_Home Works Inspection Co_Rockwall TX
In the words of Mike Tyson.... "Everyone has a plan until they get hit inda mouf"

Subs using spider web as a ladder (last pix)

Does this show signs of tool usage intelligence?

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badair http://www.adairinspection.com Garland, TX 75042
Residential-Commercial-Construction-EIFS-Infrared Thermography
life is the random lottery of events followed by numerous narrow escapes

Barry,

Was that home by chance in Irving?

I inspected one last month that was almost identical to your pictures. Thought maybe the deal fell through on it.

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Rick Hurst_Home Works Inspection Co_Rockwall TX
In the words of Mike Tyson.... "Everyone has a plan until they get hit inda mouf"

Yaaaa Buddy,
Mine was the 3rd report, still no treatment
4closed on Shumard

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badair http://www.adairinspection.com Garland, TX 75042
Residential-Commercial-Construction-EIFS-Infrared Thermography
life is the random lottery of events followed by numerous narrow escapes

"I had read somewhere that all the trees that were shreaded from being knocked over during Katrina, had the bark and remnants sold all around the country.
PROBLEM WAS.... FRIGGIN FORMOSIAN TERMITES WERE STILL IN THE SHREADINGS AND DISTRIBUTED ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.... YIKES!!"

Urban Legends Reference Pages: Formosan Termites

Barry,

Does this look familiar?

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Rick Hurst_Home Works Inspection Co_Rockwall TX
In the words of Mike Tyson.... "Everyone has a plan until they get hit inda mouf"

Rick,

Sorry for the late reply.
Biz-B-Good!

Do you have some bird dog in ya?

threw down the scent and you're right on it

this may go as low as 250,000 before she's done, i see they dropped the price again

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badair http://www.adairinspection.com Garland, TX 75042
Residential-Commercial-Construction-EIFS-Infrared Thermography
life is the random lottery of events followed by numerous narrow escapes

Barry,

I know the feeling. We've been busier than a 1-armed paper hanger.

Those foundations out there in Irving are something to see aren't they. I was under one the other day over there in Hackberry area that the foundation looked like some of the bridge supports on the GW turnpike.

A excess of big foreclosures in that area.

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Rick Hurst_Home Works Inspection Co_Rockwall TX
In the words of Mike Tyson.... "Everyone has a plan until they get hit inda mouf"

Biz-B beddy-beddy-gud.

Everything I see in Irving is in need of treatment... the little buggers are out everywhere this year because of all the rain.

Rich

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"If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?"
Richard Rushing, HCRI
Duncanville, Tx.

Formosan termites are largert than typical subterranean termites and a lot more agressive. When i did termite inspections about 8 years ago I came across them quite a bit. I remember opening up a tub under a house. They do not run and hide like subterranean termites. I am told that they shoot an acid out thogh their antennae, and that is what gives them the appearance of eating though concrete and the cmenicals put down. They can also live as either subterranea or drywood termites, which makes them especiallly difficult to extermiate, or control. I have seen them eat a window frame out in 6 months time period. They are very very expensive to treat due to the amount of chemical needed and maintenance can be expensive also, as can make their way back though the chemical over time.

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Bill Siegel
Florida Home Inspection Team Inc.