Conehead Termite FAQ for Pest Management Professionals

Infestations of conehead termites might exist anywhere in Florida, so it is imperative that all members of the pest management industry operating in the state are familiar with the species.

Learn how to recognize conehead termites. Familiarize yourself with what conehead termite caste members and their conspicuous tunnels, nests and damage look like by viewing pictures [ 11.1 MB ] or watching our video.

Report possible or confirmed conehead termite infestations to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). See reporting options.

Conehead termite tunnels and damage resemble those of other termite species in Florida, so it is important to confirm species identification before developing a treatment plan. As an example, a pest management professional mistakenly identified conehead termite tunnels as subterranean termites, proposing a treatment plan that would not have controlled the coneheads.

Continuing education unit (CEU) providers should incorporate conehead termite identification and reporting into training programs.

Report all discoveries or suspicions you have of conehead termite activity to FDACS:

• Call our helpline at 1-888-397-1517,
• Email the helpline at DPIHelpline@FDACS.gov  or
• Use our online reporting form.

Collect a specimen or take a picture of the termite, tunnel, nest, damage or any other sign of the infestation.

We appreciate all reports of anything suspicious (live insects, their tunnels or nests) that you think might be conehead termites. We are eager to check out all possible sightings and discoveries. Absolutely no worries if it turns out to be a false alarm; we appreciate your sharp eyes and it’s much better for FDACS to know about potential issues than to miss something important.

FDACS has implemented an aggressive eradication program for conehead termites in Florida. To be successful, FDACS must confirm that the extent of each population has been delineated and treated effectively, and that long-term follow-up surveys are performed to monitor for young emerging colonies.

If conehead termites are found in a new location, FDACS knows how to immediately implement a containment and control program. Because pest management professionals work in locations around the state on the front lines of pest discovery and control, your expertise and assistance have been and will continue to be essential in the conehead termite eradication effort.

Yes, conehead termites are wood-destroying organisms as defined in Section 482.021(30), Florida Statutes.

Individuals treating conehead termites in structures must:

• Hold an identification card and work at a company licensed in the termite and other wood-destroying organisms pest control category (see sections 482.021(3) and 482.071(2)(e), Florida Statutes).

Or

• Be certified in the limited governmental pesticide applicator or private applicator category. This certification is limited to people who apply pesticides only as governmental employees, people who apply pesticides only to their own private property, and employees who apply pesticides to private property owned by their employers.

Individuals treating conehead termites in the landscape must:

• Hold an identification card and work in a business licensed in the lawn and ornamental pest control category (see sections 482.021(3) and 482.071(2)(e), Florida Statutes).

Or

• Hold an identification card and work in a company licensed in the termite and other wood-destroying organism pest control category. This allows the treatment of nests or foraging areas in the landscape associated with infestation of a structure provided the contract specifically lists conehead termites as wood-destroying organisms. Conehead termite activity in a yard could be associated with infestation of a structure on a property.

Or

• Be certified in the limited commercial landscape maintenance applicator category. This certification only allows for treating conehead termites on ornamental plants using insecticides having the signal word “caution” but not having the word “warning” or “danger” on the label. The application equipment that may be used by a person certified pursuant to this section is limited to portable, handheld 3-gallon compressed air sprayers or backpack sprayers having no more than a 5-gallon capacity and does not include power equipment.

Or

• Be certified in the limited governmental pesticide applicator or private applicator category. This certification is limited to people who apply pesticides only as governmental employees, people who apply pesticides only to their own private property, and employees who apply pesticides to private property owned by their employers.

Visit our Pest Control Licensing and Certification webpage, call us at (850) 617-7997 or email AESCares@FDACS.gov.

No, provided it is a termiticide and lists the site of application and method of application on the label.

No. Unlike subterranean termites in Florida, conehead termites nest and forage aboveground and, therefore, barriers and baits installed below ground will not affect them.

Drywood termite treatments typically occur inside a structure and involve either fumigation or spot treatment, both of which can be effective against conehead termites inside the structure but will not address those outside. Conehead termites found in a structure are almost always associated with an infestation in the yard or landscape which, if not treated, can move back into the structure.

Before treating for conehead termites in Florida, report the find (call our helpline at 1-888-397-1517, email the helpline at DPIHelpline@FDACS.gov or complete our online form) and coordinate your treatments with FDACS.

FDACS developed standard operating procedures for treating conehead termites in the eradication program. These include destruction of the nest, and termiticide treatments of the nest’s footprint, perimeters around the base of structures (such as trees and fences) with active tunnels, and foraging conehead termites in ground litter. For additional information on FDACS’s procedures, call Sue Alspach at (850) 597-3780.

For most infestations, no.

Fumigation is useful when an active infestation within a structure (home, shed, business) is extensive and complicated, meaning there are large, complexly attached, difficult-to-reach nests and/or an extensive network of active foraging galleries leading into wood, voids or an inaccessible or intensively cluttered area. However, because no residual pesticide lingers following fumigation, the landscape surrounding the tented structure or materials must be carefully inspected, monitored and treated concurrently for conehead termites to avoid reinfestation of fumigated units.

Fumigation is recommended when an infestation appears to be completely or largely confined to a single unit or location, such as a yacht, building or vehicle.

Fumigation may be warranted before transporting infested items for disposal.

Yes, if “conehead termites” are listed wood-destroying organisms on the contract. Having the terms “subterranean termite” or “drywood termite” or any other termite species on the contract would not provide coverage for conehead termites.