Termites

CENTRAL FLORIDA TERMITE EXPERTS

Here in Florida, termites are in inevitable. Chances are you or someone you know currently has termites eating away at their home. If left alone and untreated, termites can cost you thousands of dollars in damage becoming a real nightmare for any homeowner. Call the experts at Pest Cartel for your inspection today.

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What Should I Know About Termites in Florida?

If you come across a termite in Florida, chances are its subterranean termites. Unfortunately, this includes the super destructive Formosan species. In order to survive termites are dependent upon one another. They live in big colonies that are contingent on the queen and king. Within the colonies are soldiers, workers, and the reproductive alates.

Subterranean Termites

As I’m sure you could have guessed– subterranean termites inhabit the underground, sometimes several feet within the soil. It’s imperative for these termites to maintain contact with moisture and soil in order to survive. To get around they build mud tubes, and it’s through these very tubes that they get into your home. Subterranean termites can be found in every state with the exception of Alaska. However, they are more common in humid states which means you’re bound to have run-ins with termites in Florida.

Formosan Subterranean Termites

Formosan termites are a species of subterranean termites. These termites are wood gluttons and are always on the hunt for wood to eat. This is the most common termite species in North America with an large colonies of up to 15 million termites. Wood is important to these colonies because it’s how they feed the other termites in their colonies. To hide from predators, they will stay within the cover of their shelters and mud tubes. This also helps them maintain an ideal temperature. They’ll burrow into your wood and eat up the soft portions along the grain. Unfortunately for us they are primarily found in the humid southeastern U.S. which means they are commonly found in Florida.

What Are the Signs of a Termite Infestation?

Look near windows, doors, vents and lighting fixtures for swarming termites.
Termites shed their wings once they’ve found a new home. Look for dropped wings that are all similar in size.
Tunnels or mud tubs that are similar in width to a straw.
Termites eat wood from within so be on the look out for hollow wood. Tap the wood with a screwdriver handle and listen for a hollow sound.
If you see wood colored droppings that are about the size of a grain of coarse sea salt, you may have termites.
Warped and blistered wood from termite activity below the surface.