Termites in New Orleans

Termites Are so Common in New Orleans

Countless street lights and porch lights were home to swarms of Formosan termites, insects that descend upon New Orleans for a few weeks in May and June.

Termites tend to come out at night between 7 and 10 p.m. Termites like to swarm during humid nights when the air is still.  Look at the street lights during this time.  You will see hundreds of termites swarming around the globes of the street lights and porch lights.

Termites swarm to find a mate.

You have different types of termites.  Formosan and Subterranean

Dugas pest control says this about termites.  “Formosan termites are social insects.  Since differentiation between Formosan termites and other termite groups is not easy, it is best to contact your pest management professional for help with providing an accurate identification. Formosan termites are a type of subterranean termite that nests within the soil. They invade structures from the soil directly through wood to ground contact, or using mud tubes they construct up from the soil.

“However, the main difference between formosan and subterranean termites is that formosan termites build tunnels that bring moisture to their nests. This ability allows them to build nests without having to return to the soil for moisture like subterranean termites. This small but handy ability allows formosan termites to be especially efficient in their working order since they can bring moisture to their nests without having to take the additional step of returning to the soil.”

Their physical appearance is the main difference with these two termites.

Termites can cause major damage to property structures.   Contact your pest management professional if you have any concern about these insects.