Termites in Hawaii

Although 7 or more species of termites are found in Hawaii, there are primarily two which are of economic concern to the homeowner. These are the West Indian Drywood termite and the Formosan termite. The Formosan termite is frequently referred to simply as the ground or subterranean termite.

These termites are social insects with a distinct caste system. Despite popular belief, both the Drywood and Formosan termites fly or swarm. The larger swarms of termites are typically that of the ground termites.

The West Indian Drywood termite nests directly within the wood which it is feeding on. It requires minimal moisture to sustain life. The characteristic evidence left behind by these termites is their fecal pellets or droppings. These are sand-like in consistency and size and may vary in color from light to dark. These droppings are kicked out of the hollow voids or galleries of the colony from time to time and are seen as distinct piles below the infested wood member.

The Drywood termite colonies are very small in number with perhaps 300 members comprising a large colony. These colonies take a long time to develop. Because of their slow development and small numbers, the drywood termites take several years before they may start doing significant damage. The preferred method of treatment for Drywood termites is by tent fumigation using Vikane gas.

Far more destructive than the Drywood termite is the Formosan Subterranean termite. The average colony size may easily number 3 million members with larger colonies documented around 10 million. Unlike Drywood termites, the Formosan termites require high amounts of moisture to survive, and thus nest in the more humid environment of the ground rather than in a piece of wood inside a house which they may be feeding on. The workers may forage up to 350 feet from the nest in search for food. Once a wood or cellulose food source is found, the workers forage back and forth between the food source and the colony taking the cellulose back to the nest to feed and support the other members of the colony. It is the workers of the colony responsible for the massive damage.

Ground termites can be effectively treated with baits or liquid termticides.