By Stephen Hoxworth, A.C.E., Director of Pest Control Operations, United States
Two invasive termite species, the Formosan subterranean termite and the Asian subterranean termite, have spread well beyond South Florida and now threaten structures statewide. That finding comes from a University of Florida study published in February 2026 in the Journal of Economic Entomology, based on more than three decades of monitoring data. Both species continue expanding their range with no sign of slowing.
Key takeaways
- The Formosan subterranean termite is now established across most of Florida's coastal counties and in most large urban centers statewide.
- Researchers project both invasive species will reach all southern Florida counties by 2040 and potentially the entire state by mid-century.
- The spread was underestimated for decades because reporting across the state was inconsistent.
- A risk assessment performed on a property years ago may no longer describe that property, even though nothing about the building changed.
What did the University of Florida study find?
Thomas Chouvenc, a UF associate professor of urban entomology at the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, analyzed long-term distribution trends for both species using records collected between 1990 and 2025 through the University of Florida Termite Collection.
The study found that the Formosan subterranean termite is no longer confined to a handful of cities. It is now established across most of Florida's coastal counties and in most large urban centers statewide, and researchers determined there is a high likelihood the species will be detected throughout Florida before 2050. The Asian subterranean termite is moving steadily north.
The research also reaffirmed an earlier projection that roughly half of all structures in the urban South Florida metropolitan area could be at risk of infestation by one or both invasive species.
Why was the spread underestimated for so long?
Because reporting was inconsistent. Chouvenc has noted that decades of uneven reporting across the state left it unclear which communities were already experiencing damage from these species and which were about to.
The correction came from a long-running partnership between UF/IFAS researchers and hundreds of pest control providers across Florida, who submit samples for species confirmation. That dataset is now published as a statewide termite distribution map.
Chouvenc has said the improved sample participation has clarified "where and when these invasive species are establishing" in new places, which is precisely the information a property owner cannot obtain by looking at their own property.
Is this happening outside Florida?
Yes. The Florida research helped prompt the North American Termite Survey, a multi-state monitoring initiative involving researchers including the LSU AgCenter. Through its alate trapping program, which tracks the winged reproductives that leave colonies to swarm, the effort has drawn more than 300 survey participants and detected Formosan subterranean termites in 13 new counties across the southern United States.
The Formosan subterranean termite is established in Texas as well as Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Virginia, Arizona, California, and Hawaii, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Why do invasive species change the risk calculation?
Formosan colonies are substantially larger and forage more aggressively than native subterranean species. A mature Formosan colony can exceed two million individuals, against roughly 60,000 to one million for a typical mature colony. Florida state agriculture officials note this aggressive foraging makes the species considerably more destructive than native subterranean termites.
Formosan termites can also establish aerial carton nests inside wall voids without maintaining soil contact. That matters for treatment strategy: a program built entirely around soil barriers or in-ground stations can miss an established colony that is no longer connected to the soil.
What does termite damage cost, and does insurance cover it?
The National Pest Management Association reports that termites cause an estimated $6.8 billion in U.S. property damage annually, and that standard homeowners policies almost universally exclude it.
The exclusion is deliberate rather than a technicality. Carriers classify termite infestation as a preventable maintenance issue rather than a sudden or accidental event. For a commercial or multifamily owner, that means termite damage is a direct operating cost with no risk transfer available, and inspection frequency becomes the only meaningful control.
Which Florida and Texas markets carry the most pressure?
Service-volume data offers a rough proxy. Orkin's 2026 Top 50 Termite Cities list, which ranks cities by where the company performed the most residential termite treatments between January 2025 and January 2026, placed six Florida and Texas metros in the national top eight.
Treatment-volume rankings reflect where work is being performed, not where risk is highest, so they should be read alongside the distribution research rather than instead of it. Both point in the same direction.
What should property owners do?
1. Confirm what termite coverage the property has, in writing. General pest control agreements typically exclude subterranean termites.
2. Confirm the inspection frequency in the agreement and confirm it is stated as a number rather than deferred to the product label.
3. Request the last four service reports and confirm they list per-station findings.
4. Verify the foundation is visible at least three inches above finished grade around the full perimeter. Obscured foundations prevent both inspection and treatment.
5. Have any suspected activity identified to species. Treatment strategy differs meaningfully between native and invasive subterranean termites.
Frequently Asked Questions About Invasive Termites
Are termites getting worse in Florida?
The geographic range of two invasive species is expanding. University of Florida research published in February 2026 found the Formosan and Asian subterranean termites have spread well beyond South Florida and now threaten structures statewide, with projections putting all of Florida at risk by mid-century.
What is the difference between a Formosan termite and a native subterranean termite?
Formosan colonies are far larger, a mature colony can exceed two million individuals, and forage more aggressively, making them considerably more destructive. They can also build aerial carton nests inside wall voids without soil contact.
Are Formosan termites in Texas?
Yes. The species is established in Texas along with Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Virginia, Arizona, California, and Hawaii.
How much damage do termites cause each year?
An estimated $6.8 billion annually in the United States, according to the National Pest Management Association. Standard homeowners policies almost universally exclude it.
Does property insurance cover termite damage?
Generally no. The exclusion is standard because carriers treat infestation as preventable maintenance rather than a covered peril. Coverage varies, so review yo
