Skyline Living

            Earlier this week, I wrote about my honeymoon to Belize. Among the many things I saw and ate while on that trip was the Nasutitermes corniger. What is that you ask? Well, as Floridians like to call it, the Tree Termite. And yes, I ate one; eloquent, woody taste with a smooth finish. The guide on the horseback riding tour offered me a free drink back at the resort if I would eat just one. Little did he know, I would have done it for free. A recent article in the March 2013 edition of Pest Control Technology (PCT) was entitled the “Tree Termite Threat” and discussed the worrisome problem Florida is facing with this invasive species. They first appeared in Florida back in 2001 but were thought to be completely eliminated until they resurfaced back in 2011. This problem is especially severe due to the high reproduction rates of this particular species of termites. One colony can contain up to 12 queens which is exponentially greater than all other species of termites. Queen Termites are responsible for the reproduction of the colony and just like worker termites are busy 365 days a year reproducing. That is a lot of termites! The Florida Pest Management Association is currently developing a plan entitled the “Florida Invasive Termite Initiative” (FITI) to help combat this destructive creature. Rest assured this is not an insect people will want to spread. Due to the large number of queens and overall size of the colonies, the damage the Tree Termite can cause to structures is far greater than any other termite that is native to American soil.

            But what is it about this species that causes them to build nests in the trees? From the numerous nests I saw while in Belize, all of them had mud tubes running from the ground to the base of the nest implying they do not feed on the tree itself. Most termites build their nests in the ground or in wall voids but not this kind. The most obvious answer in my mind is that they must like the view. Living in a tree to a termite must be like living in a penthouse suite on the top floor in New York City. One could then assume that not only is this the most destructive species of termite, but also the most intelligent. There is no need for flood insurance when you live in the sky. With any luck, the Florida Pest Management Association and its FITI will eliminate the risk of the Tree termite building a skyline in your backyard, and hopefully in anyone’s backyard in Florida as well. If you do ever happen to see a brown nest in one of your trees and are feeling curious, think twice because they are very similar to a hornet’s nest in appearance and you would not want to mix the two up just before you decide to poke and prod at it with your fingers.