South Florida’s Most Feared Invader: How Conehead Termites Are Rapidly Transforming the Pest Control Landscape

When it comes to invasive pests in South Florida, few species strike fear into the hearts of homeowners and pest control professionals quite like the conehead termite. The conehead termite (Nasutitermes corniger) is an aggressive pest of crops, wooden structures, and forests in 13 countries in Central and South America and on many Caribbean Islands. Only two populations have ever been found in the United States, both on the east coast of southern Florida: one in Dania Beach and one in nearby Pompano Beach. This invasive species represents a unique challenge that has prompted an unprecedented eradication effort by state authorities and pest control companies like ProControl Services.

The Rapid Spread of a Destructive Invader

The conehead termite (Nasutitermes corniger) is a non-native species first discovered in Broward County in 2001. Since their initial discovery, these termites have demonstrated an alarming capacity for rapid expansion. “Our results show that human transport of infested materials is a significant risk for spreading populations of invasive conehead termites,” according to research conducted on Florida populations. Since their discovery, coneheads have been found infesting 120 properties across two South Florida cities; however, no live conehead termites have been seen since early 2019.

What makes conehead termites particularly concerning is their unique dispersal method. Unlike most termites, the conehead termite does not rely on underground tunneling to travel. Instead, they forage on the ground like ants, allowing them to spread quickly. Conehead termites disperse in swarms, often after the first heavy rain of the spring. In one season, over 20,000 winged conehead termites can disperse from a single large colony.

Aggressive Feeding Behavior Unlike Any Other

The feeding behavior of conehead termites sets them apart from other types of termites found in Florida. As an aggressive generalist feeder, conehead termites cause damage to trees, shrubs or any other cellulose-based material. Conehead termites can feed on any form of wood; dry, wet, hard, soft, or decomposing. Their feeding habits are so aggressive that they aren’t restricted to feeding on chopped trees or wooden surfaces alone, but also living and dead trees.

This highly adaptable termite nests in or on—and happily consumes—trees, shrubs, roots, structures, fences, wooden furniture, scrap wood, paper products and probably many other items made of cellulose. Unlike subterranean termites that require soil contact, conehead termites can attack structures directly from their above-ground nests, making them particularly dangerous to South Florida properties.

The sheer size of conehead colonies contributes to their destructive potential. A single Conehead termite colony can comprise over 100,000 to more than a million termites. However, in samples of the invasive conehead termite colonies in Florida by Thorne and colleagues since 2012, all colonies with reproductive individuals had multiple queens, and the number of queens per nest was as high as 52! The presence of multiple queens and kings in conehead termites helps create very high reproductive rates in this species.

Identifying the Threat

Recognizing conehead termites is crucial for early intervention. Coneheads build extensive networks of narrow (usually half-inch wide or less) brown “tunnels” or termite highways on the sides of trees, houses, walls or almost any surface. Around homes, the galleries often track along lines such as mortar joints between layers of brick, or the junction between a house wall and the roof eaves.

The last and most conclusive way to identify conehead termites is by locating the insects and the unique dark brown teardrop-shaped head of the soldiers. As the insects are only about the size of a grain of rice, they may be challenging to see, however, this is the only species of termite in the state of Florida which has this distinctive head shape.

Conehead termites often build visible nests above the ground. Nesting locations may be at the base of a tree or on branches of a tree, hidden within vegetation, on open ground, or within debris on the ground. These dark brown nests blend in with the surroundings and are sometimes covered with leaf litter.

Professional Response and Control Strategies

The unique biology of conehead termites requires specialized treatment approaches. Conehead termite treatment options differ from other termite treatments due to their unique nesting and foraging habits. Traditional subterranean and drywood termite protocols will not be effective against Conehead termites.

To control invasive infestations priorities are speed and reliability of treatments. In south Florida we used liquid insecticide wherever possible because efficacy was swift, strong, and conehead activity typically enables precisely targeted spray or injection applications.

ProControl Services: Your Local Defense Against Conehead Termites

For residents of the Treasure Coast, ProControl Services stands as a crucial line of defense against termite threats, including the potential spread of conehead termites. Since 2006 we have been providing Treasure Coast residents and local businesses with dependable pest control solutions. We specialize in rodent and termite control across the Treasure Coast. Based in Port St. Lucie, ProControl Management Services is a pest control company based in Port St. Lucie, Florida, specializing in fast, eco-friendly solutions for both residential and commercial clients. The company offers a comprehensive range of services, including rodent control, termite management, wildlife removal, and treatment for other common pests. With over 15 years of experience, they cater to various industries such as restaurants, hotels, healthcare, and retail, providing customized pest control solutions to ensure client satisfaction.

At ProControl Management Services we pride ourselves in providing fast, affordable and reliable pest control services. ProControl prides itself on reliability, trained staff, and a commitment to environmentally responsible pest management. This commitment to eco-friendly solutions is particularly important when dealing with invasive species like conehead termites, where comprehensive treatment must be balanced with environmental responsibility.

The Importance of Early Detection and Professional Intervention

An essential recommendation of this paper is that conehead termite mitigation initiatives should be launched immediately upon first discovery. While conehead termites remain geographically limited to Broward County, their potential for rapid spread makes vigilance essential throughout South Florida.

Because conehead termites are a relatively new invasive species, there is still hope that they can be contained and eradicated. These voracious termites are currently believed to be confined to Broward County, Florida, but may exist elsewhere. This is why professional pest control companies like ProControl Services play such a vital role in monitoring and responding to potential termite threats.

Conehead termites are an extremely aggressive termite species known for causing widespread property damage in a short period of time. For South Florida property owners, the message is clear: professional termite inspection and control services are not just recommended—they’re essential for protecting your investment against both established and emerging termite threats.

If you suspect any termite activity on your property, contact ProControl Services immediately. Their experienced team understands the unique challenges posed by South Florida’s diverse termite populations and can provide the rapid, effective response necessary to protect your home or business from these destructive pests.