Formosa subterranean termites spread out in Texas; environmental violations cost Texas A&M $17,820

The Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, is messing with Texas, spreading its destructive path in an arc that now includes Anderson and Johnson counties (in addition to Angelina, Aransas, Bexar, Brazoria, Cameron, Collin, Colorado, Dallas, Denton, Galveston, Gregg, Henderson, Hidalgo, Harris, Jefferson, Liberty, Nueces, Orange, Polk, Rockwall, Smith, Tarrant, and Travis counties, which already were on the state's list of subterranean termite-infested counties in Texas.)

Our state's entomogolist, Dr. Shashank Nilakhe, wants Anderson and Johnson counties added to the infection list to slow the spread of the ravenous, wood-eating termites.

Businesses located in the infected counties may be required to treat quarantined articles by fumigation or other means, says the latest issue of The Texas Register.

Call your local licensed pest exterminator for more information.

Texas A&M University informed the state of the spreading termite damage.

Texas A&M University also will pay $17,820 to the state for failing to timely submit annual environmental compliance certifications to the state, the latest issue of the Texas Register states.