(Coptotermes formosanus) Formosan Termites were first brought into the U.S. on military ships during WWII. Infestations have increased and expanded across the coastal U.S.  Formosan termites are subterranean termites.  They live in the ground, build mud tubes, have a 3 caste system, etc.  However, they are described as being the more aggressive species compared to the other termites we deal with here in Southeast Texas.  A mature queen can lay as many as 1,000 eggs per day. Swarming usually follows a warm rainy day in late spring/summer and  occurs in the evening hours, starting at … [Read more...]

(Reticulitermes flavipes)  Although similar in looks to the ant, the termite is a different species of insect that evolved over 150 million years ago. There are more than 3,000 species worldwide and 47 species in the U.S.  The two most destructive types of subterranean termites are the Eastern subterranean termite and the Formosan subterranean termite.  Termites have a small, unicellular protozoan living inside of them that enables them to digest wood and other food.  A typical native subterranean  colony will contain 240,000 termites, but a typical Formosan colony will contain two to … [Read more...]