How subterranean termites get into your house and how to stop them | 10News WTSP

10 Tampa Bay
10 Tampa Bay
323,300
0
Published 2019-07-19
As the summer continues to heat up in Central Florida, subterranean termites are scoping out where they can start new colonies. The busiest time for termite inspectors and exterminators throughout the Tampa Bay region is June and July. This is when millions of subterranean termites begin to swarm.

“If you have a house that’s infested by subterranean termites, try drawing a circle three hundred feet around your house. The nesting structure is somewhere within that circle,” said Dr. Nan-Yao Su, who heads the Subterranean Termite Lab at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences in Fort Lauderdale.

Dr. Su explained that one colony of subterranean termites could infest several houses in a single neighborhood.

Subterranean termites, or Formosan termites, originated in Asia in the early 1900s. By the 1950s they made their way to South Africa. And, 10 years later, they were found in Louisiana, South Carolina and Texas. During the 1980s, researchers realized subterranean termites made their way to Hallandale, Fla. And since then, almost every major city in Florida has encountered subterranean termites.
All Comments (21)
  • @AquaMarino
    Thank you for making this video. I am so pissed about termites who were about to get into our new furnitures. 🤬
  • @rothwegk
    What an EXCELLENT video. Someone actually interviewed an expert. Thank you!
  • @armaan97
    Dr. Su is spot-on...excellent information.
  • @Dansk55
    This reminds me, never put mulch anywhere near your house. Yes the termites love the mulch and will build a colony in it. Best to keep a distance away around the house.
  • @rahatmarwat3393
    Excellent...., Really appreciated......... Awesome information regarding termites and their management
  • @qhardy22
    I just came across this video searching about termites after discovering them in our yard. My husband and I were removing the mulch in flower beds and around trees in our yard to replace with rocks. I found little white ant-looking bugs crawling after removing sections of the cedar edging surrounding one of the trees. I had no idea they were termites until I was hosing the edging a few minutes later and noticed chunks of wood missing from the bottom of some sections. I had never seen termites before but instantly realized that is what they were, a couple even crawled out of the holes. I showed my husband who confirmed it We had just purchased the edging four months ago and it never crossed either of our minds that using cedar edging or mulch would be a concern for termites. I am kind of annoyed because that edging was pricey but also grateful to have discovered them when we did. It will not be put back; instead replaced with stone edging.
  • @ddj197834
    Great video. Thank you so much for your help with the information
  • @sfulghum81
    We have 2 different types of subterranean termites in Florida. The ones they are talking about in this video are Formosan termites that are invasive. We also have the native species or eastern subterranean termites. I've been with Massey services for 6 yrs and have seen so much damage from them.
  • @Buckeyes43
    “Our team probably me” so relatable
  • @lancedavis6809
    Termites are not attracted to sentricon stations! It’s called random foraging. Larger colonies forage more, so it works better on Formosans.
  • @santiroberts9211
    This was one of the most interesting videos I've seen in a while. And I could no help but notice that the termites used in the carpenter's drawings look more like fleas than termites. LOL. Thank you.
  • @theultimatereductionist7592
    At least termites eat a healthy diet high in fiber, so I suppose they deserve credit for that. Wouldn't want a million obese termites with colon cancer to have to take care of.
  • @MonarchGuy974
    Thanks for the video! If they're already in the house how can a bait work from the ground 300 feet away?