Asian subterranean termites in South Florida
Coptotermes gestroi
Pest Stats
Color
Workers are creamy white; soldiers have dark brown heads; winged alates are dark brown on top with a lighter yellow-brown underside.
Size
Alates are slightly smaller than Formosan termites, reaching 13 to 14 mm including wings.
Shape
Elongated, soft-bodied; soldiers have a distinctive teardrop-shaped head with a fontanelle (a pore on the forehead that secretes a white, sticky fluid).
Region
Southeast Florida: confirmed in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Key West, Riviera Beach, and now spreading northward.
What are Asian subterranean termites?
How to identify Asian subterranean termites
Distinguishing Asian subterranean termites from Formosan termites, however, requires close inspection and, in most cases, a professional assessment. At first glance, both are invasive termite species from Asia and behave very similarly. As a result, they are difficult to tell apart without trained identification or magnification. In fact, accurate differentiation typically depends on subtle physical characteristics that are not easily visible to the untrained eye.
Soldiers
Have a large teardrop-shaped head with a fontanelle that releases a white, mucous-like secretion when the colony is threatened. Under magnification, Asian termite soldiers have one pair of hairs near the fontanelle rim, while Formosan soldiers have two pairs.
Alates (swarmers)
Dark brown on the top of the head and body with a lighter underside - a two-toned contrast that distinguishes them from the more uniformly orange-brown Formosan alate. Two light patches near the antennae (called antennal spots) are also visible on Asian termite alates.
Flight season
Runs roughly from February through April - ending approximately when the Formosan termite swarm season begins. Flights occur at dusk or at night, often toward porch lights, indoor lighting, and screens.
If you are seeing winged termites around lights in late winter or early spring, or finding piles of shed wings near windows and doors, do not assume they are harmless. Have a professional identify the species.
Why South Florida is especially vulnerable to Asian subterranean termites
Workers among brood
Image by Teechippy, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under
CC BY-SA 4.0.
Primary Reproductive with workers
Image by Teechippy, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under
CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where do Asian subterranean termites live?
- Structural wood in homes and commercial buildings
- Ornamental trees near structures
- Boats docked in South Florida marinas - shipboard infestations are how this species has historically spread to new locations
Because this species requires a tropical climate, it has historically been restricted to South Florida. However, confirmed infestations in Tampa suggest that its range is now expanding. As a result, the potential risk is no longer limited to its original range. Therefore, South Florida homeowners, particularly in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and along the Treasure Coast, should consider this species an active and growing concern.
What do Asian subterranean termites eat?
- Structural beams, joists, wall studs, and subflooring
- Door and window frames
- Ornamental trees and wooden landscape features
- Boats and marine structures
- Paper products and cardboard in storage areas
Advanced infestations leave behind hollowed wood and, in severe cases, a papery material called carton — nest material packed into hollowed-out wood or structural voids.
Orange neotenic reproductive at top right
Image by Teechippy, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under
CC BY-SA 4.0.
Are Asian subterranean termites dangerous?
Asian subterranean termites are considered one of the most destructive termite species in the world. Damage from a mature colony can become severe in a relatively short time, particularly when a large, established colony invades a structure. Key concerns include:
- Rapid structural damage: A large, mature colony can hollow out beams, flooring, and wall framing faster than most homeowners realize.
- Difficult to detect early: Like all subterranean termites, activity is hidden behind walls and under floors. By the time visible damage appears, significant destruction has often already occurred.
- Spreading range: Asian subterranean termites are continuing to establish in new Florida cities. Early detection is increasingly important across the region.
- Spreading range: Asian subterranean termites are continuing to establish in new Florida cities. Early detection is increasingly important across the region.
- Hybridization risk: South Florida is the only place on Earth where Asian and Formosan subterranean termites share the same territory - and UF/IFAS researchers have confirmed that the two species are now producing hybrid colonies in the wild.
Signs of an Asian subterranean termite infestation
- Mud tubes on your foundation, walls, or plumbing
- Winged termites (swarmers) or piles of shed wings near lights, windows, or doors in February through April
- Hollow-sounding wood near the floor line or foundation
- Soft, blistered, or damaged wood that does not have an obvious moisture source
- Carton material (a papery, nest-like substance) packed into hollowed wood or voids
Management of Asian subterranean termites
According to UF/IFAS, the same treatment strategies used for Formosan subterranean termites are appropriate for Asian subterranean termites. This includes:
- Termite bait stations installed around the perimeter to intercept foraging workers and eliminate the colony from within
- Liquid trench treatments to create a protective soil barrier around the foundation
- Regular monitoring to detect new activity before it becomes a structural problem
5 ways to prevent Asian subterranean termites in your home
Eliminate soil-to-wood contact
Raise wooden decks, posts, and frames so they do not touch the soil directly.
Manage moisture
Fix leaking pipes, clear gutters, and ensure water drains away from your foundation.
Reduce wood debris near the structure
Remove tree stumps, fallen branches, and scrap lumber from around your home.
Limit mulch against the foundation
Organic mulch retains moisture and attracts subterranean termites. Keep it several inches away from the base of your home.
Schedule annual inspections
Early detection is the most effective way to prevent costly damage. Annual inspections allow our technicians to catch activity before it becomes a structural problem.
Need termite control in South Florida?
If you suspect Asian subterranean termite activity - or any termite activity - Wise House Pest Control provides professional inspections, targeted treatments, and long-term monitoring to keep your home protected.
5 ways to prevent Asian subterranean termites in your home
Remove dead wood and stumps
These are preferred nesting sites for subterranean termites.
Keep gutters and downspouts clear
Moisture buildup near the foundation creates ideal conditions for colony establishment.
Inspect wooden fences and outdoor structures
Check regularly for mud tubes, soft wood, and foraging activity.
Monitor ornamental trees
Asian subterranean termites are known to nest in trees near structures before moving into the home.
Install bait stations around the perimeter
Ongoing monitoring is the most reliable way to intercept termite pressure before it reaches your structure.
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