Termite Invaders: Florida Campaign to Eradicate Tree Dwellers
The Nasutitermes corniger termite was first found in Florida in 2001 and efforts were made to eradicate the neo-tropical forest dweller from our shores before they could spread to other states. The Florida Department of Agriculture believed the efforts to stem the tide of these voracious beasts was successful until they were discovered again last year. A premature announcement in May of 2012 stated that the problem was under control; new developments have proven these creatures to be the most tenacious termites of all. A new campaign will hopefully succeed where previous attempts to destroy this threat have failed.
The tree dwelling or arboreal termite is quite necessary in the rain forests that the species normally calls home. These termites normally eat the dead wood and foliage in the rain forest that could accumulate on the forest floor. That accumulation is what causes spontaneous forest fires and feeds fires caused by man and by lightning. Termites that eat that vegetation prevent these spontaneous fires and protect the forests. Their voracious eating patterns and rapid breeding allows them to return nutrients to the soil at a much quicker rate than nature or other species provide. Rain forests lose nutrients from the soil do to rapid growth and leeching from the high moisture in the area. Without arboreal termites to control the nutrients and the underbrush, the rain forests would disappear.
Unfortunately these creatures are not meant to live in residential and business districts. Normal termites travel a hundred yards from their nest and may reach maximum saturation of the nest in a few years; then they swarm. The Nasutitermes corniger swarms every year and can reach the saturation rate in a few months. The biggest problem is that these tree dwellers haven’t responded well to the termite controls already in place. They build their nests above ground so special methods of infecting the nests have been tried and failed. The only method that seems to work is destroying the nest.
Florida is determined to eradicate the species before the coming spring swarm. If they do not succeed, these invasive pests could reach Central Florida as early as summer 2013. If allowed to get that far experts fear there would be no controlling the outbreak.
Termite treatments in Arizona involve using the proper remedy for the problem. Different types of termites require different methods. The method to control subterranean termites will not rid the home of Drywood termites, just as it didn’t work on tree dwellers in Florida. Discuss the available treatments with your pest management professional before making your decision.
Glendale AZ –
Termite Control Arizona
20118 N 67TH AVE, STE 300
GLENDALE, AZ 85308
(623) 388-4960