The University of Florida has confirmed that a new hybrid from Termites, from the Asian underground and Formosan, is spreading in the state.
Researchers say that the merger of these two termites is not only unexpected, but also potentially dangerous for homeowners throughout the country.
At the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Extension Lab in Fort Lauderdale, researchers provide an amazing 20 to 25 million termites.
It all belongs to understanding and ultimately controlling this vermin. “If you want to learn how to kill termites, you must first learn how to keep them alive,” says Dr. Thomas Chouvenc, an entomologist at UF/IFAS.
Dr. Chouvenc was one of the first to see something unusual. “In 2021 we started to see winged termites who didn’t look good,” he recalls. “In the past five years we have confirmed more and more as hybrids.”
These hybrids can now form their own colonies, apart from their parents, and that is only part of the care. “By the time you find a population of hybrid termites, this means that both parents have been established in the area for more than ten years and have probably already caused considerable damage,” Dr. Chouvenc out.
Still alarming, these genetic mutations can enable the termites to survive in areas they could not have previously could, possibly expand their reach in Florida and even in adjacent States. “Over time we could see their distribution grow further than what we have seen before. That means more communities in danger,” he warns.
How to protect your house
Dr. Chouvenc urges homeowners to act early and wisely when it comes to termite protection.
The first step: identify the type of termite correctly. Drywood termites and underground termites require very different treatments. “You can use the wrong approach if you have the wrong ID to start with,” he warns.
That is why he advises to work with recognized professionals. Many pest control companies work together with the University of Florida by sending samples to the lab for precise identification.
Do you want to know if there are termites in your region?
View the Termite distribution card Developed by the University of Florida/Fort Lauderdale Termite Research and Education Center (UF/IFAS). This map shows areas where different termi species, including hybrids, have already been detected.
Need more information or to submit a sample?
Visit the civil servant UF/IFAS Termites in the Florida websiteWhere you will find details about current research, identified species and how you can submit samples for analysis by laboratory experts.
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