Drywood termites are often found in Florida and create devastating damage to your home’s structural integrity. Once these pests infest, it can be difficult to get rid of them. It’s important to understand these termite signs and how to effectively prevent them from your home.
Signs of Drywood Termites
Drywood termites live above ground, building their colonies inside wood in and around your home. These termites can be difficult to detect but there are certain signs that these pests may be inside your home, including:
- Discarded wings on the windowsills
- Seeing flying termites or swarmers on the exterior of your home
- Hollow-sounding or visible damaged wood that looks carved out
- Piles of frass, or termite droppings, that looks like coarse grains of sand
If you notice any of these termite signs or suspect there are termites inside, it’s always best to reach out to a pest professional for a thorough inspection. These professionals are trained to know where to look for drywood termite activity and provide the best termite treatment plan based on your situation.
Drywood Termite Prevention
Understanding and placing certain drywood preventative measures throughout your home will help you avoid a termite infestation and pay off in the long run by avoiding costly repairs. Check out our common tips Florida homeowners can utilize to prevent a drywood termite infestation:
- Seal any openings around your doors, windows, and utility pipes, with caulk or another appropriate sealant as soon as possible.
- Before bringing any used furniture or lumber inside your home, make sure to inspect them for termites first.
- Turn your lights off at night and close your curtains as termite swarms tend to surround light bulbs and lamps during their flight.
- Consider investing in termite control as these professionals will provide you with routine termite inspections and treatment options.
