Tree Termites Are Invasive Species

In southern Florida, state and federal regulators worked with researchers and scientists to eliminate the sudden invasive threat of the re-discovered tree termite population found in the area. Tree termites have been originally known as an extinct population in the United States. The city and state government has resolved to work together in annihilating the new found threat rediscovered this in 2011. Initiatives are being done to stop the termite pest problem from stretching to other parts of the country. The invasive Nasutitermes corniger, locally known as tree termites are known to take residency in trees In an interview done with the executive vice president of the Florida Pest Management Association, Allen Fugler, warned the public that this type of termite will eat anything cellulose. Theyll eat the nonliving parts of trees, of course, but theyll also eat any structural wood theyll eat virtually anything with cellulose, said Fugler in an interview. The invasive Nasutitermes corniger nests are often mistaken for wasps nests, as in fact this type of termite build their homes in plain sight. Their reproduction rate is very high and is known to have ravenous and wide-ranging appetite. They will anything cellulose in their path. One nest can be home to up to 12 reproductive, or queens, each producing eggs. Because of that , they can swarm at a high rate, forage at a high rate and produce colonies at a high rate, Fugler said. Known to make dark brown foraging tunnels, the tree termite, can build their nests in a number of unimaginable places like boats, furniture, wall voids and panels, among others. Tree termites can adapt to various surroundings, they are open to being outside and are not scared away easily. Other termite species have the tendency to evacuate when their homes are invaded and excavated; the Nasutitermes corniger does no such thing. The greater danger is if it goes unnoticed and untreated, the fast reproduction rate makes this type of termite species hard to control. The Everglade ecosystem could be threatened if the tree termite species infestation issue goes unaddressed. Fast resolution and awareness is the solution presented by the Florida Pest Management Association through collaborative efforts of state and federal regulators. Pest Management experts met last November 2012 at the FPMA, in an effort to provide ideas, to provide long-term resolution to this pest problem. Eradication means no more pests, Fugler said. Management and control are terms used frequently, because eradication is something difficult to determine.

Were seeking and developing a public and private partnership with PMPs in the area. said Fugler, in hope that this could become the first-ever successful eradication campaign of social insects in the United States. The Florida Invasive Termite Initiative or FITI is a work in progress. With the outline coming together, important changes will made along the way, in an effort to make the termite eradication campaign a success for the United States. For more helpful details, visit http://www.bugandtermitecontrol.com/termitetreatments.html.