The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is working diligently to prevent this invasive termite from becoming permanently established and spreading further throughout the state. FDACS asks Floridians to be on the lookout for these invasive pests and to report any suspected sightings.
To report a conehead termite infestation, call 1-888-397-1517 or email DPIhelpline@Fdacs.gov
▶ Be alert for conehead termites. Watch for the ‘Big 4’ indicators:
- Tunnel networks.
- Dark-colored, cone-shaped heads on small beige bugs (1/8”) within those tunnels.
- Bumpy, brown nests that are generally spherical or ellipsoidal.
- Termites with charcoal-colored wings flying in April - June.
Help us Eradicate Conehead Termites
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and The City of Dania Beach are working together to help eradicate the Conehead Termites once and for all.
Conehead Termite Damage
Coneheads can wreak havoc on structures and landscapes, causing extensive damage. They eagerly consume dead wood from live or dead trees, shrubs, grasses, roots, wood in structures and furniture, and cardboard and other paper products.
Conehead Termite Identification
Unlike all other termites in South Florida, the soldier form of this termite species has a cone-shaped, dark brown head from which it secretes a pine sap-like chemical to ward off predators, including ants, lizards, and termites from another colony. Soldiers are difficult to identify with the naked eye due to their size, but the above-ground tunnels they construct (see below) are easily seen and may signify the presence of this species.
Conehead swarmers (alates)
Tunnels
Coneheads travel to their feeding sites in narrow (usually 1/2 inch wide or less) brown tunnels, or termite highways, on the sides of trees, houses, fences or other surfaces.
Swarmers
In spring, winged termites, called alates or swarmers, leave their nests and fly to a new location to start another colony. This is how the termite infestation spreads. Dark wings distinguish conehead swarmers from other local termite species.
Nests
These termites build large, dark brown nests with a hard, bumpy surface. Nests can be on, in or by trees or structures, on open ground, or hidden within vegetation. 