Formosan Termite Consumer FAQ

The average cost of damage is in the $10,000 range per home and more specifically $40,000–$60,000. Costs can be much higher, though, depending on the value of the home, and in some severe cases the home may have to be demolished and rebuilt.

Yes, Formosan termites are a type of subterranean termite. This means that they primarily live and have their colony underground; they like to live in dark, moist, hidden environments. They can find these environments in walls, attics and trees, as well as underground.

Formosan termites, like all termite species, send out winged reproductives, or alates, to find new territory and establish new colonies. These alates are kings and queens that fly, mate, then find a moist, hidden environment to start a new colony. Formosan alates are golden brown with small hairs all over their wings and fly in massive swarms from April to July. Swarms typically emerge between 8 and 10 p.m. on evenings with low winds and high humidity, especially after rain. They are attracted to white light, so turn your outside lights off or use yellow bug lights if you see the swarms.

They cannot chew through concrete but can displace small grains of concrete one at a time to break through.  They also will exploit cracks the thickness of a credit card to get through concrete slabs and structures.  Formosans have been known to chew through but not eat soft metals, plastics like PVC pipe, and rubber.

No! They secrete a sticky latex substance from their head to deter enemies like ants.

Presence of a few swarmers doesn’t necessarily mean you have a home infestation. If you live in a neighborhood that is highly infested with Formosan termites, you should expect to see a few to 100 swarmers in the house during swarm season. These termites should be vacuumed up and disposed of as soon as possible. Ninety-nine percent of the swarmers will die within a few hours if no moisture is found. Formosans are attracted to outdoor and indoor lights and will come in through windows, doors, exhaust fans and attic openings. If your home is infested and the colony is in the walls or attic, you would see several hundred to thousands of swarmers in the house, and the termites will actually chew through and break out of the walls/ceilings.

Formosan colonies will go as deep as the water table, and one colony can inhabit 1 linear acre underground.

An aerial colony is an above-ground termite colony that has no connection to the ground. An aerial colony is formed when subterranean termite swarmers, like Formosans, find everything they need to survive above ground, including a cellulose food source (wood, paper or cardboard), moisture source (pipe or roof leaks) and a hidden environment.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) strongly recommends that you do NOT treat for termites yourself because you do not have access to the most up-to-date bait systems, chemicals, and equipment to get the treatment under the home's foundation. Instead, use a licensed pest control company that has the education, equipment, knowledge and expertise to treat your home.

Using our Business Search tool, you can find out how many complaints have been filed against a particular company.  You can find out if a company is licensed by visiting the Pest Control section of our website.

No, it does not.

Yes, Formosan termites can infest live, healthy trees. Many trees die from the inside out, leaving a cavity where termites can move in and build their nest. These trees, especially when close to your home, can be a reservoir for termites and need to be checked and possibly treated by a licensed pest control company or certified arborist.

Read, understand and check your termite contract terms and conditions to see if your home damage is covered. If it appears your home is covered and the company still refuses to help, contact us to file a complaint[ ].