In Florida, there are two types of termites popular in our area, the drywood termite and subterranean termite. These termites have different characteristics, but they both cause serious damage to the structural integrity of your home. To prevent termites from invading your home, it’s crucial to understand these termites and the types of treatments and preventative measures you can take to avoid these pests.
Types of Termites in Florida:
- Drywood Termites: Drywood termites are larger than their counterpart, the subterranean termite, and are brown or white. Since these termites do not need soil to survive, they tend to live and nest within wooden structures or dry wood, creating damage throughout. A common sign that drywood termites have infested your home is spotting frass, or their droppings, that can appear like piles of sawdust.
- Subterranean Termites: Subterranean termites are dark in color and can range up to 1/8 to 1 inch in size. These termites need a water source to survive, building their nest in soil to get it. Subterranean termites will build tunnels and nests underground to ensure that they get enough humidity and water. A major sign that these termites have infested is seeing mud tubes along a home’s foundation or floor joints inside a building.
Types of Termite Treatments:
- Tent Fumigation: Often used as a last resort to eliminate drywood termites, this service is conducted by a team of professionals, carefully tenting your home to contain the treatment during the fumigation process. The amount of treatment product used in the process is based on the severity of your termite infestation, temperature, slab-type, and more. With a tent fumigation service, you do have to vacate the property, usually around 24 to 72 hours, all depending on the size of your home and weather conditions.
- No-Tent Alternative: A no-tent service is an alternative solution to tent fumigation treatments with the difference being you don’t have to leave your home for treatment. A service professional will directly inject a non-repellent product into drywood termite galleries to address the termite infestation. This method works to eliminate the termites and any termites that come across the targeted areas.
- Bait Stations: Installed at the perimeter of your home and containing enough termite bait to eliminate an entire colony with one single station, bait stations are the recommended termite control method to eliminating subterranean termites. Once a termite finds the bait, they consume the slow-acting termiticide, take it back to their colony and spread it to others, effectively eliminating the colony. These stations can be used in places where surface treatments cannot be, including near the foundation drains and areas covered by slabs or flooring.
Don’t wait until it’s too late to prevent termites from your St. Augustine home! Give a termite control company near you a call today for a free inspection. These professionals will provide you with a free, no-obligation quote!
