Drywood vs Subterranean Termites in Your Florida Home

There are two common termite species Florida homeowners should know: the subterranean and drywood termite. Both termite species can cause structural damage to homes and cause thousands of dollars in repairs. One of the best ways you can avoid their damage is understanding their characteristics and the preventative measures to place around your home to deter them away. Let’s explore the differences between drywood vs subterranean termites and how you keep them from infesting your home.

Drywood vs Subterranean Termites

Drywood termites thrive in dry wood, often infesting furniture, frames, and other wooden structures without them needing contact with soil. Once they have infested, they will cause damage by hollowing out wood from the inside out. A good indication that these termites infested your home is finding small piles of wood pellets or frass, tiny holes in wood surfaces, and discarded wings near windowsills or light fixtures.

Subterranean termites live underground and build mud tubes to reach food sources above the ground, often destroying foundations and support beams in the process. These termites need soil and moisture to survive and build their colonies. Signs of a subterranean termite infestation include finding discarded wings and mud tubes on exterior walls, foundations, or crawlspaces.

Termite Prevention Tips

There are several preventative measures you can utilize to deter termites away from your Florida property. Let’s review do-it-yourself termite prevention tips:

• Eliminate moisture by fixing leaks, maintaining proper draining, and using dehumidifiers in damp areas.
• Keep firewood, lumber, and other stored wood away from your home’s foundation; consider storing it at least 20 feet from your home and elevated off the ground.
• Inspect your home’s exterior and seal any gaps in windows, doors, and foundations.
• Remove dead trees, stumps, and debris from your yard.
• Direct your drainage system away from your foundation.
• Consider enclosing your crawlspace to help reduce excess moisture and prevent household pests.

While these tips will support efforts to deter termites away, it is always best to schedule an annual termite inspection with a professional termite control company near you. These professionals can detect termite signs early and quickly provide your home with the appropriate termite control and prevention plan.