August in Leesburg is no joke. The heat sits heavy, afternoon storms roll through like clockwork, and the humidity rarely lets up. For most of us, that means staying close to the AC and keeping up with the yard. But there’s something else happening this time of year that deserves your attention — drywood termite swarm season is in full swing across Central Florida, and Leesburg homes are squarely in the crosshairs.

Why August Is the Peak Month for Drywood Termite Activity

Drywood termites don’t need soil contact or moisture to survive. Unlike subterranean termites, they live entirely inside dry wood — framing, furniture, window trim, attic rafters — and they’re remarkably quiet about it. Most homeowners don’t realize they have a problem until the damage is already significant.

What drives summer termite activity is a combination of warm temperatures and high humidity. When conditions reach a certain threshold — and Central Florida hits that mark reliably every August — drywood termite colonies send out winged swarmers called alates. These reproductives fly out to find new locations to start fresh colonies. Your attic, your fascia boards, your garage door frame — anywhere dry wood is accessible becomes a potential target.

Lake County’s climate is particularly favorable for this cycle. Leesburg sits in a region where summer heat and moisture create conditions drywood termites have adapted to over countless generations. Swarm events often happen in the evening, especially after a rain, and they can be easy to miss if you’re not looking.

What Drywood Termite Swarms Actually Look Like

A swarm is often the first visible sign that termites are nearby — or already inside your home. Here’s what to watch for during these peak summer weeks:

• Winged insects near light sources. Swarmers are drawn to light. Finding small winged insects around windows, porch lights, or interior fixtures is a common early warning sign.
• Discarded wings on windowsills or floors. Swarmers shed their wings quickly after landing. Small piles of uniform wings — often near doors and windows — can indicate recent swarming activity.
• Frass (termite droppings) on surfaces below wood. Drywood termites push their fecal pellets out of tiny kick-out holes. If you notice small piles of what looks like fine sawdust or coffee grounds on a shelf or below a door frame, that’s worth a closer look.
• Hollow-sounding wood. Tap on wood surfaces around your home. Drywood termites eat from the inside out, leaving a thin veneer that sounds hollow when knocked.
• Paint that bubbles or looks blistered. Interior termite galleries can cause paint to lift slightly from the wood surface beneath.

Where to Inspect Around Your Leesburg Home Right Now

You don’t need to be a pest professional to do a basic walkthrough. Focus on areas where dry wood is most exposed to the exterior or less frequently disturbed.

Check Your Attic First

The attic is one of the most common entry points for drywood termites in Florida homes. It’s warm, quiet, and full of untreated wood. Bring a flashlight and look for frass, hollowed beams, or any small holes in rafters and sheathing. Even a quick five-minute look twice a year can catch problems early.

Inspect Window and Door Frames

Wooden window frames and exterior door frames are exposed to the elements and provide easy access points. Run your hand along the frame edges and tap along the surface. Soft spots or a hollow sound are both red flags during drywood termite prevention checks.

Look at Fascia and Eave Boards

These areas are harder to see from ground level, but a pair of binoculars can help. Swarmers often enter through gaps or small cracks in fascia boards. Look for any discoloration, frass trails, or small holes in the wood.

Check Wooden Furniture and Built-Ins

Drywood termites can also infest furniture, especially older pieces or antiques. Pull furniture away from walls and check the underside and back panels for signs of frass or surface damage.

Drywood Termite Prevention Steps You Can Take This Month

While a professional termite inspection is the most reliable way to assess your home’s condition, there are practical steps every Leesburg homeowner can take right now to reduce risk.

• Seal gaps and cracks in exterior wood. Caulk around window frames, door frames, and utility penetrations. Reducing entry points is one of the most effective drywood termite prevention measures available to homeowners.
• Apply or refresh paint on exposed wood. Paint and sealant act as a barrier. If you have peeling or bare wood on the exterior of your home, this summer is a good time to address it.
• Replace damaged or rotting wood promptly. Damaged wood is easier for swarmers to penetrate. Even if the wood itself is dry, surface defects create openings.
• Keep firewood and lumber away from the structure. Stored wood near your home provides a bridge and a potential colony site. Keep it off the ground and away from the house.
• Screen attic vents properly. Many older Central Florida homes have attic vents without fine mesh screening. This is one of the most direct entry paths for drywood termite swarmers.

When to Call a Professional

DIY inspections are a useful first step, but drywood termites are experts at staying hidden. If you spot any of the signs mentioned above — or if you simply haven’t had a professional termite inspection in the past year — this is the right time of year to get one scheduled.

A trained inspector knows where to look and can identify early-stage activity that most homeowners would miss. Early detection makes a significant difference in the scope of any treatment needed. The longer a colony goes undetected, the more structural damage it can cause.

Our team at Pest Control Leesburg has been working alongside Lake County homeowners for decades, and summer termite inspection calls are among the most common — and most important — services we provide this time of year. Catching activity in August, before swarmers have had time to establish new colonies, puts you in a much stronger position.

If you’re in a neighboring community, our Tavares pest and termite team and our Fruitland Park exterminators serve the surrounding area as well. And if you’d like to learn more about how we approach pest and termite work across Central Florida, our full service area page is a good place to start.

Pest 911 has been based in Weirsdale since 1985. We’re a family-owned company, and we treat the homes we service the same way we’d want our own treated — with care, honesty, and no unnecessary upsells. If you have questions or want to get an inspection on the calendar, give us a call at 352-629-9111.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I tell the difference between drywood termites and subterranean termites?

Drywood termites live inside dry wood and don’t need soil contact. Subterranean termites live underground and build mud tubes to reach wood above ground. Drywood termites tend to leave behind dry, pellet-like frass, while subterranean termites are more often associated with moisture damage and mud tubes along foundation walls or crawl spaces. Both require professional treatment, but the approaches differ.

Is it normal to see termite swarmers inside my home?

Finding swarmers indoors — especially near windows or light fixtures — often means a colony is already established somewhere inside the structure. Swarmers found outdoors near your home may indicate a nearby colony seeking a new entry point. Either situation is worth having inspected promptly. Swarmers themselves don’t cause damage, but their presence signals active colony activity close by.

How long does a professional drywood termite inspection take?

A thorough inspection typically takes between 45 minutes and an hour and a half, depending on the size of your home and how accessible areas like the attic and crawl space are. The inspector will check interior and exterior wood, attic framing, window and door frames, and any other areas of concern. You’ll receive a clear report of findings when the inspection is complete.

Can drywood termites spread from a neighbor’s home to mine?

Yes, this is one reason termite swarm season matters for entire neighborhoods. During peak summer termite activity, winged swarmers can travel a meaningful distance from an existing colony. If a neighboring home has an active infestation, swarmers from that colony can land on your home and attempt to establish a new one. Regular inspections are especially valuable in areas with older housing stock.

Do I need to leave my home during drywood termite treatment?

It depends on the treatment method used. Some localized treatments require little to no displacement, while whole-structure fumigation — used for severe or widespread infestations — does require temporary relocation. Your pest professional will explain the recommended approach based on the inspection findings and walk you through exactly what to expect before any work begins.

How often should Leesburg homeowners schedule termite inspections?

Annual inspections are the standard recommendation for Central Florida homes, and for good reason. The combination of warm temperatures and high humidity makes this region one of the more active termite zones in the country. If your home has had prior termite activity or treatment, your pest professional may suggest more frequent checks depending on the history and current conditions of the structure.