Formosan termites: What every homeowner should know

Termites are bad news for any homeowner. Formosan termites are even worse. 

Nicknamed “super-termites” for good reason, Formosan termites build colonies up to 10 times larger than other species, devour wood at an alarming rate and can cause severe structural damage to homes in as little as six months. Pest management professionals consider them a worst-case scenario — but understanding what makes them so dangerous is the first step toward protecting your home.

Here’s what you should know about Formosan termites and how to defend against this particularly aggressive threat. 

Formosan termites: How they’re different

Formosan termites are the most voracious termite species — a type of subterranean termite known for their aggressive feeding and massive colony sizes. These colonies can reach populations up to 10 times larger than typical native subterranean termite colonies, consuming wood, wallpaper and flooring at an unprecedented pace.

A single Formosan colony can consume one foot of a two-by-four in as little as 25 days, causing severe structural damage in as little as six months.¹ Collectively, Formosans contribute significantly to the more than $5 billion in annual termite damage across the United States each year. 

Unseen damage from Formosan aerial colonies 

What makes Formosans especially dangerous is their adaptable nature. Not only do they thrive in a variety of conditions — including underground, in crawl spaces and within damp wood — but they can also form aerial colonies. Aerial colonies can establish, without direct ground contact, anywhere in a home where moisture is present, such as wall voids and bathrooms.  

Aerial colonies make Formosans a challenge for both homeowners and pest management professionals. An aerial colony might go undetected — feeding, breeding and expanding — for years.² And unlike native subterranean termites, which form aerial colonies less than 1% of the time, up to 25% of Formosan colonies are aerial³ — a number that approaches 50% in especially damp regions like Hawaii.⁴

The other problem with aerial colonies? Treating them with liquid termiticides often fails — and colonies can even become trapped in areas where conventional liquid treatments are applied.  

Signs of Formosan termites in your home

While Formosan termites are highly damaging and aggressive, recognizing early signs of an infestation can help you create a treatment plan before damage becomes extensive. Look for these markers:

• Swarming near light sources starting at dusk. While most termite species avoid light, Formosan alates — winged termites — are attracted to streetlights, marina lights, and porch lamps.
• Damage in unexpected areas. Native subterranean termites usually infest homes from the ground up. Formosan termite damage can be found anywhere wood is available – from your attic to your prized boat — not just near the foundation.  
• Indoor swarms. Finding winged termites flying inside your home is a strong indicator of a Formosan infestation, especially when it occurs away from ground-level entry points. 

Protecting your home from Formosan termites

When it comes to dealing with Formosan termites, putting together a termite checklist is a good place to start. Follow these steps to safeguard your home:

1. Schedule a professional termite inspection. The best protection against Formosans starts with an inspection from a pest management professional. A Certified Sentricon Specialist^® is trained to identify infestations and conducive conditions that can lead to a Formosan termite infestation, including excessive moisture, humid areas and aerial colony activity. 
2. Eliminate moisture sources. Reducing humidity in attics, basements and crawl spaces helps keep Formosans from thriving in your home. Diverting water away from your foundation and removing sources of standing water — such as clogged roof gutters — can help keep Formosans away. 
3. Store firewood away from your home. Keep all firewood at least 20-25 feet away from your home to avoid providing Formosans with easy access.
4. Let professionals handle identification. Without specialized training, distinguishing between termite species is difficult. Leave identification and treatment planning to professionals trained specifically in Formosan termite elimination. 

Invest in a Formosan termite prevention solution

While inspections and prevention measures are essential, the most effective defense against termite threats of any kind is a proactive protection plan — ideally, one that’s in place before an infestation begins.

Speak with a Certified Sentricon Specialist about how the Sentricon^® system can help you keep your most important investment — your home — safe from aggressive Formosan termite damage today. 

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^[1] National Pest Management Association, Formosan termite fact sheet.
^[2] Gold, R.E, Keck, M., Brown, E., Schofield, K., 9/10, Formosan Subterranean Termites, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.
^[3] Su, N-Y & R.H Scheffrahn, 1987, Current status of the Formosan subterranean termite in Florida, pp 27-31.
^[4] Tamashiro, M., J.R. Yates & R.H. Ebesu, 1987. The Formosan subterranean termite in Hawaii: problems and control, pp 15-22.