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Are Florida termites a worry to you? Your home’s exterior and inside can both be severely damaged by termites. You might be asking how to deal with termites in Florida, what to do if you find them, and how to get rid of them. Hannan Environmental Services are experts at handling termites and the problems they bring with them. 

What are Termites?

Termites are regarded as one of the insects that cause the greatest damage to homes. Unfortunately, they are pests that are frequently present in Florida houses. They measure between 3 and 4 mm in length. Usually, you only see them when you crack open infected wood in your house.

Worker and swarmer termites are the two main categories of termites. The termites you see when the wood is split open are the worker termites, which are creamy in color.

In the meanwhile, the colony’s reproductive population consists of swarmer termites. They measure around 4 mm in length, so they are a bit bigger. Additionally, they have a dark brown or black tint. Although swarmer termites often lose their wings after emerging, certain termites do have wings.

Types of Termites in Florida

A number of different varieties of termites, regrettably, thrive in Florida’s hot and humid environment. Drywood termites, dampwood termites, eastern subterranean termites,  and formosan termites are the four main varieties found in our state.

Eastern Subterranean Termites

In Florida, subterranean termites are the most prevalent kind. Unluckily, they are also the second most severe in terms of the home’s devastation.

These insects form colonies that include swarmers, soldiers, and reproductive members.

Subterranean termites that swarm develop complete wings and eyes. To establish their colonies, they also fly to new places.

In moist wood that is also in touch with the earth and in soil, subterranean termites will build nests. These termites will create mud tubes that ascend through the wood from the soil.

Subterranean termites in Florida are ruthless and will destroy most of everything that comes in their way. They will eat any type of material that contains cellulose, dead or rotting wood, along with paper, cotton, and even plant fibers.

The most common termites in North America are subterranean termites, while not the most aggressive form of termite, they are quite destructive and should not be ignored when spotted.

Formosan Termites

While technically a subterranean termite Formosan’s are on a completely different level.  This kind of termite is extremely aggressive and builds large colonies. Additionally, it rapidly rots the wood in your house.

This particular species of termite gained the label “Super Termite” due to its very destructive activities.  There are several differences between an eastern subterranean termite and a formosan.  Their physical appearance is different in that formosans termites have a longer body and shorter head with short pinchers an are also more of a translucent orange color than the grey/brown color found on eastern subterranean termites.  The big difference, however, is the size of the colonies.  Eastern subterranean termites form colonies from 20000-500000 termites.   Formosan termites form colonies numbering in the millions which means a lot more mouths feasting on the wood in your home. 

Drywood Termites

A drywood termite is one of the various termites that may be found in Florida. Although drywood termites exist in colonies, they do not build their nests in the ground like their subterranean relatives do.

In wood constructions, drywood termites thrive and survive. 

Most drywood termite species in Florida are West Indian drywood termites.

Dampwood Termites

The dampwood termite is the fourth variety of termite you’ll encounter in Florida. 

High humidity is preferred by dampwood termites. In southern Florida, especially the Keys, they are fairly prevalent. When there is wood-to-soil contact or when the wood is constantly in touch with water, such as through a leak or free-standing water, infestations are widespread.

Additionally, dampwood termites are fairly big. They are larger than both subterranean and drywood termites.

Signs of a termite infestation

Mud Tubes

One of the ways that termites enter your home’s timber is through mud tubes. These tubes are constructed by underground termites to provide moisture as they move out from their colony in search of food.

Mud tubes are most frequently seen close to the home’s foundation.

Bubbling and Uneven Paint

Have you ever observed your home’s outside paint bubbling or becoming uneven? This can indicate that you have a termite infestation rather than the need for new paint.

This suggests it is a termite issue since wetness is a problem. Termites will eat damp or decomposing wood. The paint on your house may start to bubble or become uneven if the wood isn’t maintained.

Damaged Wood

Wood damage is another obvious indication that you have termites in Florida. Due to the fact that termites usually consume wood from the inside out, here is where termite detection can be challenging.

You can tap on the wood as a test if you think there may be termites hiding within. If the wood has a hollow sound, termites may be present. Another indication of termite damage is blistering wood, so keep an eye out for that as well.

Discarded Termite Wings

Swarmer termites  are the reproductive wing termites of colonies.

One way of telling that you are dealing with a termite infestation is noticing discarded wings around your home. You might find this is in the spring when they emerge from their nests, searching for a new location to begin a colony. You’ll typically find these wings on windowsills and near doors.

Termite Frass

Finding the droppings that termites leave behind after eating wood is another obvious evidence of damage caused by them. Termite droppings are a tiny mound that resembles pellets and are easy to spot. Termite feces can be found both inside and outside of your house.

Get Rid of Termites

The next thing you should do is get rid of the termites if you believe or are certain that you have an infestation.

But how are termites eliminated? In Florida, there are several alternatives for treating termites, and what you choose will depend on your circumstances and your level of comfort.

The kind of termite you were seeking to eradicate should also be taken into account. Varied forms of treatment may have different effects on various termite species. Finding a termite exterminator who can complete the job correctly is crucial because of this.

When you’re ready, get in contact with us to talk about termite removal so we can help preserve your home’s structure and potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage.