Central Florida Termites
Central Florida and the Space Coast are wonderful places to live, work, and raise a family. There is a quality of life to be found here that is hard to beat. Whether you gravitate towards the outdoor life, the arts, the nightlife and restaurant scenes, the world-famous parks, or simply the enjoyment of our benign four-season climate, this is a place to enjoy. That said, you shouldn’t have to worry about Central Florida Termites. That is our job. Let’s learn a little more.
Central Florida Termites – About
Termites are relatively small insects that live in colonies. In general, we can identify three major types of Central Florida Termites. The Dampwood variety nest in damp wood. Subterranean termites live in the soil and Drywood termites infest dry wood. The worst, and most destructive, is the Subterranean.
Subterranean Termites
This type of termite is found all over the United States and especially in the warm moist climate of Florida. Their usual habitat is underground and also in wet places above ground. According to Pestworld.org:
“Subterranean termites are by far the most destructive termite species. The hard, saw-toothed jaws of termites work like shears and are able to bite off extremely small fragments of wood, one piece at a time. They can cause severe property damage.”
Drywood Termites
Drywood termites (above) reside in colonies that are typically found in, you guessed it, dry wood. It is critical to note that this type of termite does not need moisture or to be in contact with the soil.
Dampwood Termites
As you may have guessed, Dampwood termites (above) typically seek a moist environment such as logs, tree trunks, old fence posts, stumps, and other places where they can find wet wood. The good news is that these Central Florida termites do not usually infest buildings and structures like your home.
Central Florida Termites – Damage
It is not easy to come up with a hard number, but the cost of termite damage to Florida homes typically is estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars per year. In fact, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services says:
“termites cause more damage to structures than fires, floods and storms combined. It is very important to protect your home from these very destructive insects. Good construction and proper maintenance of your home is the first step. Since your homeowners insurance does not cover damage caused by termites, hiring a licensed pest control company to inspect and treat your home is the next recommended step.”
So what should a homeowner do? Naturally, no one wants their home to be the one that is being tented. As with so many things, the best answer is prevention. Get out ahead of the termites by calling us for a free estimate!
Luv-A-Lawn and Pest Control has been serving Central Florida for more than 30 years. We are a Full-Service team and the “One Company that Does it All.”