Formosan subterranean termite

Coptotermes formosanus · Order: Blattodea · Family: Rhinotermitidae

Also called: Formosan Termite

Can damage your home. Formosan termites can cause serious damage to wood structures, trees, boats and high-rise buildings.

Source: Wikipedia, UC IPM

Formosan subterranean termite — Photo: Photo by Scott Bauer., no known copyright restrictions (public domain), Public domain

These termites are social insects that live in colonies with wingless workers that are soft-bodied and light caramel in color, while the reproductive adults are yellow-brown or black. They infest many types of structures, especially in the southern United States, and their feeding can destroy wood, damage trees, and cost homeowners thousands of dollars each year.

Source: Wikipedia, UC IPM

How to recognize it

Formosan termites are social insects. Worker termites have no wings, are soft-bodied and light caramel colored. Reproductive adults have yellow-brown or black bodies.

Source: Wikipedia, UC IPM

Is it a pest in the house?

Infestations cause extensive damage to many types of buildings and trees. Together with C. gestroi, they are responsible for huge property damage and high treatment costs in the United States. Termites also play a beneficial ecological role by breaking down woody debris and feeding predators. Thousands of homes in California need termite control each year.

Source: Wikipedia, UC IPM

How to get rid of it

Physical barriers have been created to keep Formosan termites out. The ICC acceptance standard AC 380 requires five years of field trials for these barrier systems in infested sites. Do-it-yourself termite pesticides are usually ineffective. Before using chemicals, consider non-chemical methods like wood replacement, heat, electrocution or desiccants.

Source: Wikipedia, UC IPM

Where it lives

They can be found in many structures, from boats to high-rise condos, and also damage trees. In the U.S. they are reported in eleven states, mostly south of 35° N.

Source: Wikipedia

What it eats

They feed on crops such as sugarcane.

Source: Wikipedia

Life cycle

Formosan termites live in colonies as social insects.

Source: Wikipedia

Lookalikes

Winged termites are often mistaken for flying ants. You can tell them apart by looking at antennae, wing shape and the narrow waist.

Source: UC IPM

Where it is found in the US

Recorded in 10 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Louisiana, Texas, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Hawaii, South Carolina, Georgia.

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Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.

Source: GBIF

Status: introduced in United States. Source: iNaturalist

Months it is reported in the US

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Source: GBIF

More photos

Formosan subterranean termite photo 3 — Photo: Tyler Bishop, CC BY

Formosan subterranean termite photo 4 — Photo: Tyler Bishop, CC BY

Formosan subterranean termite photo 5 — Photo: ncb1221, CC BY

Formosan subterranean termite photo 6 — Photo: Tyler Bishop, CC BY

Questions people ask

How can I prevent a Formosan termite infestation?

Install approved physical barriers and use non-chemical tactics such as wood replacement, heat treatment or desiccants before resorting to pesticides.

Source: Wikipedia, UC IPM

What signs show a Formosan termite problem?

Look for damage to wood, hollowed or cracked timber, and the presence of winged termites near lights, which can be confused with flying ants.

Source: Wikipedia, UC IPM