If you don’t think termite prevention is important, here’s a BIG reason to think again…
Experts Predict The Worst Termite Season Ever Is Ahead In 2015!
The EHS – Environmental Health Services – recently featured an article about two dangerous exotic termite species mating to potentially create the most destructive hybrid termite in the world!
The Asian subterranean and the Formosan subterranean termites are not native to the United States – the Asian termite was likely brought into the country via imports from having come from tropical parts of south-eastern Asia, and the Formosan termite was likely a cause from imports of China – but, are two of the most dangerous and destructive termite species on the planet, especially when it comes to our homes!
While both species have been known to have overlapping habitats in parts of Florida, neither one have ever been found in mating swarms, as swarming periods occur at different months. However, what makes this story so interesting is these two different species were recently found swarming together in parts of Southern Florida and have already produced a hybrid that is the most aggressive and destructive termite yet…
“Chouvenc is the lead author of a study published on Wednesday in the journal ‘Plos One’ detailing observations of Asian and Formosan termite swarms in downtown Fort Lauderdale and then in a lab at UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
In the field, including Chouvenc’s own yard, researchers documented the two species swarming at the same time and in the same places. The same behaviour was documented again last year, and Chouvenc said he is seeing again this spring.
“What we didn’t expect to see was when they’re in the same place at the same time, we saw the male Asian subterranean termites looking for the female Formosan termites in the field,” Chouvenc said.
“When we put them in vials and brought them back to the lab, to our biggest surprise they started laying eggs and the eggs started growing.”
The resulting “hybrid” colony in the lab grew more vigorously than colonies produced by either species alone, researchers said. Genetic analysis confirmed they were looking at a hybrid species.”
These findings are quite important to entomologists, and should also be considered by homeowners living in the area, however, folks like us – living in the Northeast region of the country – normally wouldn’t need to worry about a destructive duo such as this hybrid…
See, generally speaking, the Formosan termite is found only in Southern parts of the United States – Hawaii, North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, Texas. Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, and California to name some states in particular – along with the Asian termite…and given their biology and ecology, warmer temperatures is where they thrive, therefore, neither were ever a blip on our northeast radar…
But when factors like climate change (our climate has warmed over the last 30 years) and evolution begin to play a role in the matter, us Northeast folks may now have a good reason to worry…
I guess we’ll have to wait and see how it all plays out, but in the meantime…
The best way to protect your home or property and to restore your peace-of-mind from termites and their damages…
Termite prevention is key!
And here’s why it’s so important…
Termites are known as “silent destroyers” due to their ability to chew right through the wood members of a home or building completely undetected! That’s right…termites can go undetected for long periods of time, leaving you with costly repairs and treatment costs.
And, given today’s construction challenges ( I won’t bore you with a lesson on below grade stucco, or rigid foam board insulation right now), not to mention the fact termites can submerge through areas the size of a pinhead…there is indeed room for error – even the most commonly used barrier defense systems do not put a complete barrier around our homes!
Investing in a Termite Protection Plan is the way to go!
It’s preventative health for your home…
TermiGuard Services & Fenwick’s Termite Warranty Protection Plan not only comes with an annual renewable warranty, but delivers a yearly termite inspection, an easy and affordable monthly payment system, and covers up to $75,000 in termite damages!
If you’re worried about termites, STOP! Let us do the dirty work. We’ll be here to look out for those costly exterior maintenance issues that, unfortunately, you may not have the expertise to see or identify. Let’s keep those BIG dollars in your wallet where they belong!
Call TODAY to schedule your termite service now – (856).753.1401 – (609).601.9400 – (215).627.2224
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