Asian Termites on the Move in Florida

PEANUT ISLAND, Fla. - The invasive termite has spread throughout parts of Palm Beach County, including Peanut Island, WPTV reports.

"We've noticed a major uptick in the number of termites calls that we've had," said Beach Environmental exterminator David Sprague.

Instead of colonies in the thousands, Asian termites have colonies in the millions. And their damage is much more extensive.

"Typically the termites that we have here will eat a portion of the wood, and leave a portion of the wood... this termite just seems like it just eats in full, whatever it goes after."

University of Florida Professor of Entomology Rudolf Scheffrahn says he has studied samples from Peanut Island.  The termites can travel by air or by boat.  More samples have now confirmed that Asian Termites are in Riviera Beach and spreading. Beach Environmental says its exterminators saw the population move from Congress to Military Trail over the course of three months.

Read more.

Source: WPTV