Types of Termites & How to Treat a Termite Infestation in The Villages, FL; Subterranean, Drywood, Dampwood & Formosan

Everyone is excited about the upcoming season change since we are out of the cold and into the warmth. The spring is a great time to get outside and start to enjoy the weather. Most people do some spring cleaning, dust off the barbecue and start their pest control prepping. One pest that has been nicknamed the silent destroyer is the termite. They are a devastating pest to find in your home because of the amount of damage that they can and will cause. In fact the insurance companies report that there are over 5 billion dollars in repairs needed each and every year. The best thing you can do is to know what you are dealing with and look for signs of potential termite swarms or infestations.

Pest 911 Lists Termites You May Encounter This Spring & How To Treat Them

Subterranean Termites: When it comes to termites that are found in the area this is the most common species. The interesting thing about this particular species is that they actually live in the soil under the ground hence the name subterranean. They are often in colonies that reach the millions and their biggest tell is they build tunnels from the soil to your home. These tunnels are called mud tubes and they are used to travel undetected from home to their feeding ground. Subterranean termites are hardworking and are the most destructive species. They have been known to destroy an entire home without even being detected. Keep a close eye on these mud tubes and contact a professional right away if you see one.
Drywood Termites: This is a termite that prefers areas that are near a coastline. They are not dependent on the soil for moisture and will feed on wood in your homes interior. They will chew through beams, floorboards and even wooden furniture. They live in a colony that is much smaller than the subterranean reaching only about 2,500. They will split off and make several stops making them really hard to treat. You can see these termites swarming past your home on a nice sunny day. If you see a swarm be sure to get a hold of a company like Pest 911 that offers termite services.
Dampwood Termites: These are the exact opposite from the drywood termite. They are a species of termite that relies heavily on the moisture that is in the wood they feed on. They are commonly found in wood that is damp such as a downed tree or some wood that is near a lake or water. They work through the wood in tunnels that all connect to each other.
Formosan Termites: The formosan termite is a termite that lives in larger colonies and usually have their home set in the mud. They will eat and chew through wood that is exposed such as wood piles, firewood, phone poles and homes structures. They are able to do quite a bit of damage in a small amount of time so it is important to have them treated right away.

Termite Inspections & Treatments

Pest 911 offers comprehensive termite inspections and effective treatment. Call us today if termites are in your Central Florida neighborhood!