Formosan Subterranean Termites in Ouachita Parish

Formosan Subterranean Termites swarm from mid-April thru May and into the month of June. They can fly up to 1,700 feet while swarming. So how did they get to the Monroe area from the gulf coast? The simple answer is we helped them. Back in the early 90's they were discovered in a church building in West Monroe. The building was built next to a site where various types of wood had been discarded, some of that wood was brought from New Orleans to be used in the construction of a house. In 2001 Formosan Subterranean Termites were discovered swarming in the Forsythe Park area when the swarmers disrupted a little league baseball game. These termites were thought to have been brought to the area inside railroad crossties used for landscaping within the park.
We as humans help the Formosan Subterranean Termites travel great distances when we move railroad ties, used wood, potted plants, paper products and even boats.

Even though cross ties are treated, the treatment doesn't always protect the center of the wood. Any untreated wood in contact with the ground is a possible food source for termites. When the older cross ties are taken up and discarded they are often sold for landscaping purposes and end up being the means by which the termites are spread.



One case in the Pineville area the home owner had brought in over 60 of the crossties to terrace the area around his home and then added his ornamental plants. Within 5 years he had Formosan Subterranean Termites swarming within his house. The termites were also found in stumps, live trees, and landscaping timbers. The landscaping timbers were taken up and treated before being removed from the area. Later it was learned that the home owner also brought in plants in wooden planters that may have been infested and planted the flowers in front of his house. In either case the termites were transported by humans to the area where they became a problem.

Not all of the Formsoan Subterranean Termites traveled to the Monroe area in crossties, in at least two instances the termites have travelled to the area in boats. Wood is used to stiffen and support the thin fiberglass sides of the boat and if a crack can be found then the hungry termites are able to gain entrance.



This outboard had become dangerous to use because the transom had begun to flex when the motor was reved up. It had been brought into the shop to have the transom removed and an inboard installed in the boat. When they began to remove the fiberglass they found that there was very little wood left and a large number of termites.

The termites were destroyed before they could spread and the LDAF was notified of the discovery.

It is important that all wood and wood product that are moved from areas where Formosan Subterannean Termites are found are inspected before they are moved and if found infested be burned or treated.