A recent study by the University of Florida (UF) in the US has found that boats act as perfect vehicles for the global spread of termites, making these insects an increasingly widespread threat across the world.
The research, led by Thomas Chouvenc, associate professor of urban entomology at the University of Florida (UF/IFAS) in Fort Lauderdale, showed that termites are not only spread by natural colony-building processes, but are also actively transported by boats, without the knowledge of homeowners.
The study highlighted several destructive species, including the Formosan subterranean termite, the Asian subterranean termite and the West Indian drywood termite.
The economic impact of these infestations is significant and has continued to grow since 2010, with estimates exceeding $40 billion annually worldwide.
Formosan subterranean termites alone cause between $20.3 billion and $30 billion in damages, according to a university statement.
“Termites are a major problem for homeowners as they can damage the wood of structures and infest trees. However, more and more cities are facing the risk of termite damage as some invasive species continue to spread to new areas of the world,” Chouvenc warned.
“The continued and successful spread of invasive termites is not our achievement: we have made it easy for them to conquer the world, and private boats are an excellent means of transportation,” he added.
The study revealed a drastic change in the propagation dynamics of these insects, which historically were only able to cross oceans in exceptional cases, such as hurricanes, tsunamis or landslides.
But now there is a high probability that they are traveling on vessels infested by human activity, particularly recreational boating.
The study also highlighted that once established in a new area, these termite colonies can remain hidden for years due to their slow reproductive cycle and cryptic biology, making eradication efforts difficult until damage is significant.
Chouvenc highlighted that the situation in South Florida, known as the “shipping capital of the world”, is particularly worrying because, over the decades, several invasive species of termites have established themselves in this region, where it is common to find boats with established colonies.
The lack of regular inspections on recreational vessels such as yachts exacerbates the problem, allowing infestations to spread unchecked.
Additionally, a major concern is that infestations on boats are often under-documented or under-reported, leading to an underestimation of the problem.
To mitigate this growing threat, Chouvenc called on boat owners and the boating community to take proactive steps by conducting regular inspections for signs of termite infestation to protect properties and prevent the spread of these destructive pests.
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