Florida is the land of vacations, but it also has termites. Since they are attracted to moisture, they can be commonly seen around coastal areas in Florida.
Termites love wood and can eat it all day. However, their appetite can cause significant damage to your furniture and other wooden property. Learning the signs of termite infestation is important in order to take preventive measures and keep these insects at bay.
If termites have gnawed through your wooden structure, contact termite control services to eliminate them from your property. Read this blog to learn more more facts about these creepy crawlers and how to prevent an infestation.
When is termite season in Florida?
Due to Florida’s everlasting warm and humid climate, there is no specific termite season. Unlike other pests, termites are active for most of the year. However, these insects often go underground during the cold season to seek warmth.
Springtime might be a stressful time for Florida homeowners as termites are most active during this season. They come out of their colonies in search of partners to mate, create offspring, and establish new colonies. Florida’s warm weather serves as a perfect climate for termites to breed, work, and multiply easily.
Dealing with a termite infestation on your own can be challenging. Since you are not an expert, you would not know what the best course of action is. It is advised to seek a professional’s advice and not DIY.
How do termites survive through the winter?
Termites thrive best under warm conditions. However, they are able to adapt to cold climates to survive. To escape the cold weather, they dig deeper into the soil for food and shelter.
However, if they find a way into your home while digging, they will be more than happy to make it their home. As they are often underground during winter, they are hard to spot but remain active.
Swarming season for different termite species
Termites have three different varieties, including subterranean, damp wood, and dry wood termites. As their name suggests, subterranean termites seek shelter underground, damp wood termites make nests in damp and decaying wood, and dry wood termites make homes in dry wood.
- Dark southeastern subterranean: March to June
- Eastern subterranean: October to February
- Western dry wood: January to November
- Dampwood termite: Late fall, summer, and early winter.
As different species are seen during different periods, you will notice swarm activity throughout the year.
Signs of a termite infestation
As termites are active most of the seasons, homeowners should always stay alert. Noticing swarmers around your lawn, especially near light sources, is an obvious sign of termite infestation.
They eat through the wooden structure inside and out. After chewing, they often leave behind a piece of painted wood. If you hear hollow sounds while tapping on wood, call pest control services immediately.
If you find blister-like protrusions on wood surfaces, it is probably termites as they feed on it. It is because of the moisture that termites leave behind while chewing on the wooden surface. If you notice blisters in the wood, it might be time for a termite inspection.
They attack wooden structures and cause them to weaken. If the doors and windows are not functioning properly or making noises, it might be because of a termite attack.
Termites can also be identified by mud tubes that connect their underground colonies to the food source. It is made of soil, termite saliva, and wooden particles and is the size of a pencil. Seeing mud tubes around your property is an obvious sign that termites have already taken over your property.
Have a termite problem? Call today!
Termites hide in damp and moist environments and can cause significant damage to your property. If you suspect termite activity in your home, talk to a pest control company in Florida today!
