Dec 20, 2023 | Florida Termite Control
Dealing with a drywood termite infestation is less than ideal since these pests can cause significant structural damage to your Florida home. So how can you prevent termites from invading? It’s important to understand the characteristics of drywood termites, signs of their activity, and the preventative measures to place throughout your home, we break down all these below.
What to Know About Drywood Termites
Drywood termites have an oval-shaped waist, short legs, and a cream-white to light brown colored body. The size of these termites depends on their age, but usually range from ¼ inch to 1 inch long. Unlike their counterpart, the subterranean termite, drywood termites do not need soil to live. Instead, they excavate wood, living and nesting within wooden structures or dry wood, such as attic framings.
Signs of Termites
Since these termites live in the excavated wood, it can be difficult to spot and identify them. However, there are still termite signs you can look out for. Swarms of termites or discarded wings near windowsills or doors is an early indication that a colony has been established at your home. Likewise, spotting their droppings, or frass, is a telltale sign of a termite infestation. These droppings look like small mounds of tiny pellets.
Preventing Termites
Consider implementing these do-it-yourself termite control measures throughout your property to avoid a termite infestation:
- Keep lumber, wood, and mulch away from your foundation.
- Trim all shrubs, bushes, or other dense greenery so it doesn’t touch the side of your home.
- If you have old trees, lumber, or tree stumps, consider removing them.
- If you are utilizing firewood, store it at least 20 feet away from your home and elevated off the ground.
- Before bringing antique furniture or wooden furniture inside your home, make sure to thoroughly inspect it first.
- Inspect your home’s exterior for any openings leading inside and repair them as soon as possible.
- Keep your attic and crawlspace well-ventilated to help reduce moisture and other household pests.
If you’ve noticed drywood termites on your property or would like to get ahead of your termite prevention, contact your local Florida termite control company for more information. These professionals will provide you with a free inspection, a treatment plan based on your home’s needs, and recommendations on preventing termites in the future.
Oct 27, 2023 | Florida Termite Control
Subterranean termites eat wood from the inside out, often hiding and going undetected until severe damage is done. These termites will often infest homes by entering through stucco, slab foundation, and other hidden areas with access to the structure. The best way to prevent these termites is to understand their signs of infestation so you can begin to eliminate them early before the infestation gets out of hand.
Termite Signs in Homes
Here are 5 signs of subterranean termites in homes:
- Swarms: An early sign that subterraneans are in your home is spotting termite swarms in your neighborhood. These swarms can sometimes be confused with flying ants. Swarms will typically emerge in the spring or early summer to reproduce and establish a new colony. If you see these swarms, it’s a good indicator that a colony is looking for a new place to build their nest.
- Mud Tubes: Subterranean termites build mud tubes to travel back and forth between your home and their nest. You’ll find these on walls, ceilings, floors, exterior surfaces, on the sides of slabs, and are usually the size of a pencil. These tubes help protect them from damage and predators, also allowing them to accumulate moisture to survive.
- Noises: While it can be difficult to hear termite noises, it is possible! If a colony is large and established, you could hear a faint clicking or knocking sound behind your wall or in other voids. This noise is the sounds soldier termites make when they are banging their heads against wood or vibrating their bodies to indicate to the rest of their colony that there is danger.
- Hollow Wood: If you tap on wooden surfaces of your home and hear a hollow or paper sound instead of a solid thud, this is a sign that a termite colony could be established. Additionally, if you spot blistering or bubbling paint, especially near the window and door trim, could be another indication termites are inside.
- Wood Damage: Floor, door, and window damage can indicate that termites have infested. Typical termite wood damage includes floors that buckle or sag and difficulty closing doors or windows.
Consider Termite Treatments
If you notice any of the above signs in your Florida home, it’s best to contact your local termite control company as soon as possible. These professionals will thoroughly inspect your home, provide you with a termite treatment plan for the existing termite colony, and recommend the best prevention plan moving forward to avoid another infestation.
Jul 27, 2023 | Florida Termite Control
Florida is notorious for its termite problem, and drywood termites are a common termite species found in homes. These pests can cause considerable damage to our homes, leading to costly repairs. It’s important for homeowners to understand the methods of preventing termites from invading their homes. Check out common tips Florida homeowners can utilize to prevent a drywood termite infestation.
Seal Cracks and Gaps
Drywood termites are extremely small, typically ranging from 3/8 in length, but termite soldiers and workers can be even smaller. These pests can easily enter your home through the tiniest crack or gap. It’s important to inspect your home for any openings, including around doors and windows, and even the areas around your utility pipes. Make sure to seal them up with caulk or another appropriate sealant as soon as possible. For areas in your home that must be left open, consider using mesh screens to cover them.
Inspect Wood Furniture & Materials
Drywood termites can easily infest lumber, firewood, and wood furniture. Before bringing any of these items inside your home, it’s essential to inspect them first. Drywood termites will also infest furniture, including old pieces of antique furniture and built-in cabinets utilizing second-hand furniture.
Turn Off Lights at Night
Swarmers, or flying termites, are attracted to light sources, making it essential to eliminate them, especially at night. Particularly, drywood termite swarms like to surround light bulbs and lamps during their flight. At night, look to minimize light sources by turning them off and keeping your windows and curtains closed to avoid attracting them. Consider replacing the porch and floor lights with insect-resistant yellow bulbs to help repel them or motion sensor lighting around your home.
Regularly Inspect Your Home
Regular inspections can help you catch any signs of a drywood termite infestation early, so it’s important to recognize their signs. Inspect your home for small holes in wood, piles of droppings, or wings shed by the termites. If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to call a professional for help immediately.
Hire a Professional Pest Control Company
Sometimes, the best way to prevent a drywood termite infestation is to consider hiring your local professional pest control company to inspect your home regularly, treat any existing infestations, and provide a prevention plan to avoid a future infestation. These professionals will have the knowledge, experience, and tools necessary to detect and eliminate these pests effectively.
Jul 28, 2022 | Florida Pest Control, Termite Control
South Florida Termite Control: What’s Attracting Termites
Hot and humid, South Florida is the perfect habitat for termites! These pests cause significant damage to our homes and cost us millions in repairs, making them one of the most feared insects by homeowners. Knowing how to tell if your house has termites is the first step in eliminating them or being on top of preventing them.
Common Termites in Florida
Since Florida hosts a variety of climates, there are many species found in our state. In South Florida, the two most common termites found are drywood and Formosan (subterranean) termites. Drywood termites are known to inhabit sound wood, often infesting wood furniture. Formosan or subterranean termites need soil to live and create mud tubes to look for a food source above the surface, invading the foundation of homes.
What Attracts Termites?
We know that all termites are attracted to wood, but each species has their preference. Subterranean termites aren’t as picky about the type of wood and will eat the most common types found in homes, such as pine and oak. However, drywood termites prefer to avoid soil and will eat hardwood floors or wood found in your home’s structural framing.
Firewood and mulch are two major attractants to termites and provide an entry point inside a home. When storing firewood, make sure it is at least 20 feet away from the home’s foundation. Mulch can retain moisture, making it essential to keep it at least 18 inches away from your foundation.
Having unnecessary moisture around the home can create conditions beneficial to termites. Eliminating excess moisture inside and outside is essential in preventing termites. Make sure your yard is dry by sealing any leaks, repairing AC units, and regularly cleaning gutters to divert rainwater away. Consider enclosing your crawlspace to reduce moisture, decrease humidity, and prevent mold and wood rot.
Termite Infestation Signs
There are several signs that a homeowner can look out for when determining a termite infestation, including:
- Soft wood that sounds hollow when tapped
- Finding mud tubes on the exterior of the home
- Cracked or bubbling paint
- Damage around the home, such as your fence, porch, patio, or deck
- Discarded wings near doors or windowsills, indicating swarmers
If you suspect that you have termites in your home, contact your local South Florida pest control company. These professionals will inspect your home and provide a termite treatment and prevention plan.
