Formosan Termite Program

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Formosan Termite Program is here to provide outreach and education on this economically important, structural pest, the Formosan termite ( Coptotermes formosanus).

The Formosan termite is an invasive subterranean termite that causes significant damage in the United States. It is currently found in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas, Arizona, California and Hawaii. It has been and is continuing to be transported to new areas by human-aided movement of wood packing materials, wood mulch and old railroad ties.

Due to the large size of its colonies and its aggressive foraging behavior, the Formosan termite can be more destructive than native U.S. subterranean termite species. Approved control methods for the home include soil chemical barrier treatments and bait systems, as well as the preventative methods described on our Formosan Termite Prevention and Protection webpage.

Formosan Termite Facts

• Formosan termites can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage to your home.
• They are an invasive pest, native to Asia, that entered Southern ports in the 1950s.
• They live and invade from underground, thriving on moisture and feeding on anything wood-based.
• Colonies contain millions of individuals, which include workers, soldiers, a king and a queen. A mature queen can lay up to 3,000 eggs a day.
• In spring, winged Formosan termites leave their nests and fly to new locations to start new colonies. This is how the termite spreads. Swarms typically occur in the evenings from April to July, and swarmers are attracted to lights. 

Learn More About Formosan Termites

For more information on Formosan termites, how you can protect your home, and the work we're doing to prevent and control these pests, check out the following webpages:

• Formosan Termite Prevention and Protection
• Formosan Termite Consumer FAQ
• Formosan Termite Surveillance