[PCA] Experts Warn Against Spreading Termites After Storms

[Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov]

The Formoson termite is a subterranean termite native to East Asia.  The 
following news release was distributed by the Louisiana State University 
Agriculture Center last October.  With Spring around the corner, it seems 
like a timely article. 

- - - - -

Experts Warn Against Spreading Termites After Storms
News Release Distributed 10/12/05

A scourge of New Orleans and South Louisiana could find its way to
other parts of the state and country if people move wood thats
infested with Formosan subterranean termites.

Experts know the termite was introduced into Ouachita Parish by
being transported in infested railroad ties used for landscaping,
and they suspect the pest has been introduced into countless homes
through re-used architectural wood.

Because of the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina and
Hurricane Rita in across South Louisiana, LSU AgCenter
entomologists are warning homeowners not to remove building
materials from damaged homes and install them in new structures
unless they are absolutely sure no termites are in them.

The best way to gain this assurance is through fumigation or heat
treating, according to Dr. Dennis Ring, an entomologist with the
LSU AgCenter.

To try to prevent moving termites to other areas, the Louisiana
Department of Agriculture and Forestry on Oct. 3 imposed a
quarantine for the Formosan subterranean termite in Calcasieu,
Cameron, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Orleans, Plaquemines, St.
Bernard, St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa
and Washington parishes.

Ring said the quarantine has three objectives ? to prevent
spreading the Formosan subterranean termite to locations not
currently infested, to prevent infesting existing structures that
are not currently infested and to prevent infesting new and
reconstructed structures.

"The Formosan subterranean termite may be spread in any infested
cellulose ? wood, paper or other products," Ring said. He listed
railroad ties, utility poles, used structural wood, lumber,
pallets, landscape timbers and similar items.

The entomologist pointed out the quarantine specifies that all
architectural components ? including beams, doors and salvaged wood
? cannot be sold or placed in any structure in any parish until
they are fumigated or treated for Formosan subterranean termites.

"Do not move cellulose from infested areas unless you are sure the
material is not infested," Ring emphasized. "Everyone has a
responsibility to prevent the spread of the termite."

Experts also warn about re-using wood from damaged buildings ?
unless you can be absolutely sure the wood is termite free.

"To determine if material is infested, make a thorough inspection,
looking for termites, damaged wood, soil, mud tubes and carton
nests," Ring said.

Ring said because Formosan subterranean termites build above-ground
nests, wood from buildings, trees and shrubs that have been
standing in floodwaters may still be infested.

In addition, lumber and other woody debris taken from damaged
buildings can become termite-infested if left on the ground too
long.

The entomologist said burying wood is not a good idea because that
would supply food for termites, which will then seek new food
sources when the buried wood is gone.

Contact: Dennis Ring at (225) 578-2180 or dring at agcenter.lsu.edu 
Writer: Rick Bogren at (225) 578-5839 or rbogren at agcenter.lsu.edu 

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