DAVIE, Fla. – Scientists at the University of Florida say two of the world’s most destructive and invasive termite species are not only spreading, but are now producing hybrid offspring in South Florida.
Dr. Thomas Chouvenc, a professor and termite biologist at UF, is lead author of the study that began about a decade ago.
Scientists had observed male and female termites – the invasive Formosan subterranean and Asian subterranean termites – interacting in “courtship behavior.”
“We noticed that they were swarming at the same place, at the same time,” he said.
After an ongoing study at UF’s termite lab in Davie that determined the invasive species did, in fact, produce offspring, researchers recently discovered offspring in the wild: at Bill Keith Preserve in Fort Lauderdale.
“We have to think that this is one colony -- that one needle in a haystack that we found,” Chouvenc said. “There are multiple colonies, we just don’t know where they are.”
Chouvenc doesn’t think the hybrids are more destructive, but they could be stronger survivors outside of South Florida, known to be host to invasive species.
Fred Walker, service manager of Stark Exterminators in Hollywood, said business is always busy and exterminators can help homeowners determine differences in the pests at their homes.
“The one thing about this industry is that it’s ever evolving; you always have to learn,” he said. “We do a lot of training and studying.”
Chouvenc said research is conducted in the lab to determine the best ways to kill the termites and preserve landscaping and personal properties.
“I highly advise to reach out to your private pest control provider,” he said. “The termites are just doing their thing. Chewing on wood. They just happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.”