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Jul. 28, 2008 09:23 PM

See termite activity by regionThe present distribution of subterranean termites in North America is probably very close to what it was when the Pilgrims arrived. The climate, soil conditions and available food supply in the southern U.S. favored the many species of native termites. Mild winters allowed for nearly year-round feeding and tunneling in the soil, the predominant sandy loam soil held moisture and was relatively loose, and the fast growing, short-lived pine trees in the region provided plenty of food. In general, these conditions have changed little, except termites now feed on the pine lumber in houses and not on the forest floor. Building practices during the early settlement of the southern states favored wood close to the ground, and houses with narrow crawl spaces and no basements.

The native subterranean termite species are still abundant in southern states, but not any more than they were originally. Several species have extended their range into northern states, to regions that did not have termites originally. But they are not as successful as their southern relatives. Soil conditions are rocky and often dry in the North because the region has lower rainfall; the winters are also long and springtime weather is erratic – both of which can disrupt swarming. The food supply in northern regions is primarily hardwoods.

The Formosan termite has joined the ranks of the native subterranean termite in the southern U.S. This species was introduced from Asia, and is now in states from Florida to California. As an introduced species it may not have the parasites and predators that the native North American species have, so it does very well. Formosan termite colonies are larger than the native species and their construction is slightly different, making this termite species more destructive.

Reference: Handbook of Household and Structural Insect Pests. 2000. Edited by R.E. Gold and S.C. Jones. Entomological Soc. of America.

 

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