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Hoax e-mail warns of Formosan
termites in mulch
Submitted by termite expert Wayne Cowart
The Valdosta Daily Times
VALDOSTA — The following email has been circulating Valdosta. It misleads
homeowners by saying mulch sold at popular stores could be infested with a
deadly termite.
“If you use mulch around your house be very careful about buying mulch this
year. After the Hurricane in New Orleans many trees were blown over. These trees
were then turned into mulch and the state is trying to get rid of tons and tons
of this mulch to any state or company who will come and haul it away. So it will
be showing up in Home Depot and Lowe’s at dirt cheap prices with one huge
problem; Formosan Termites will be the bonus in many of those bags. New Orleans
is one of the few areas in the country were the Formosan Termites has gotten a
strong hold and most of the trees blown down were already badly infested with
those termites. Now we may have the worst case of transporting a problem to all
parts of the country that we have ever had. These termites can eat a house in no
time at all and we have no good control against them, so tell your friends that
own homes to avoid cheap mulch and know where it came from.”
This email warns against the purchase of mulch originating in Louisiana because
of the danger of spreading Formosan Termites into your home or business. As
everyone remembers, Hurricane Katrina hit the Louisiana coastline and proceeded
inland on Aug. 29.
The devastation of property and loss of life was unprecedented, and the
collateral damage estimates continues to escalate. However, certain potential
losses were quickly recognized and steps were taken to minimize additional
losses. Included in the known possibilities of loss is the spread of the most
devastating termite known to exist in America — Formosan Termite.
The Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture placed quarantine on 12 parishes in
Louisiana on 10-3-05 to prevent the spread of Formosan Termites. Additionally,
the manager at our local Lowe’s retail store assures that his company “only
purchases mulch from established sources and never purchases storm damaged or
fallen tree mulch.”
Consumers can learn more about Formosan Termites by logging on to
www.agctr.lsu.edu/termites, a Web site maintained by Louisiana State University.
It is an excellent source of information.
Concerned homeowners may also submit their questions or concerns to Wayne Cowart
and Associates, a local company that assists homeowners throughout the United
States with termite damage problems. Cowart’s experience includes involvement in
more than 15,000 termite damage cases in more than 30 states. It is not a pest
control company, but an expert source in recognizing causes of termite
infestations, damage, and recommending techniques of prevention.
The best defense against all termite damage is the knowledge of how to prevent
an infestation. For information, contact www.waynecowartandassociates.com.
The Formosan Termite
Taxonomic name: Coptotermes formosanus (Shiraki, 1909)
Synonyms: Coptotermes intrudens
Common names: Formosa termite (German), Formosan subterranean termite (English)
Life form: insect
What is it: Coptotermes formosanus is a subterranean termite with an affinity
for damp places. Wherever there is wood (cellulose) and moisture there is the
possibility that this species can inhabit that location. This species is very
aggressive and will out compete native species of termites with ease.
What damage can it do: It is estimated to cost consumers over US $1 billion
annually for preventative and remedial treatment and to repair damage caused by
this insect.
Source: The Global Invasive Species Database
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