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Floridians Vs. Termite Season

When choosing to own a home in Florida, you have to know all of the risks that come with it. Not only do we have hurricanes and wildfires; but we are also home to one of the most destructive insects- termites.
When comparing destructive capabilities, subterranean termites overshadow all other kinds of mites, hands down. To give you an idea, annual damage done by drywall termites is in the hundreds of thousands whereas subterranean termite damage is nearing the billions. When prepping for the next hurricane, the last thing you want to have to worry about is termite damage to your home. Continue reading to learn ways to protect your home from these pesky mites today.

When is the swarming season / termite season?

The first step in preventing a termite infestation is knowing when it’s going to happen. Between the months of April and July is when you’re most likely to see subterranean termites swarm. Exterminators call this time “swarming season”.

What are swarmers?

Termites from mature colonies produce specific male and female subterranean termites for the purpose of further reproduction and establishing new colonies; These new groups of termites are considered to be swarmers. The rest of the termites remain in the ground or in the wood they’ve been previously feeding on, as they die when they dry out.

What do swarmers look like?

Subterranean swarmers are black or brown in color and are barely ⅜ of an inch in length. It’s easy to differentiate subterranean termites from carpenter ant swarmers, as they can grow as large as a full inch in length. Termite swarmers also have long wings that are white with rounded tips; making it very easy to differentiate them from other insects.

What attracts them?

Unlike other types of termites, swarmers don’t require moisture to survive  (though moist areas do tend to attract them more than dry areas). Keep in mind, their one goal is to find a safe and secure place to establish a new colony. The eggs they lay are going to eventually need both moisture and food; so food and moisture is what they’re going to seek when looking for a new place to call home. Controlling moisture throughout your home makes it much less enticing for these destructive pests.

Some tips for moisture control:

• Lighten it up: Keeping the rooms of your home dark and shaded can create the perfect environment for moisture to build up, making it the perfect invitation for termites to move in. Open blinds and let as much sunlight in rooms as possible, even for just a few hours. Trimming foliage that blocks natural sunlight from shining in your windows is also a great way to ensure sun light keeps the moisture levels inside of your home down.
• Fix the leak!: Small leaks may not seem like an immediate emergency, but even the smallest leaks can allow unwanted moisture into your home, creating an inviting environment for subterranean termites.
• Clean your gutters!: Ensuring your gutters stay clean and clear of any type of blockage is a great way to make sure you keep moisture out of your home. Debris build up in your gutters can cause water to run down the side of your house and pool, allowing moisture to get into your foundation; which could eventually lead to even greater problems.

While you can do everything in your power to try and prevent a termite infestation from happening, sometimes it’s out of your control. Annually, ideally every home in Florida should have a system installed or renewed to detect any type of termite attack that may happen from the ground. If you have any questions on termite or other pest control, feel free to contact your trusted exterminators here at Pest-Away Exterminators today!