Editor’s note: The following is an article that appeared in the December edition of Indialantic Neighbors.
Termite trouble: Homes in sunny Florida are always on the menu
By Steve Lum, President, Slug-A-Bug
People are migrating to Florida in historic numbers. Unfortunately, many of them are unprepared for one of the Sunshine State’s drawbacks: the proliferation of termites.
These insects do billions of dollars’ worth of damage to American homes. It’s imperative, therefore, for homeowners to be prepared for their voracious onslaught.
Prevention and treatment
Termite prevention should be a consideration even before building a home. Soil treatments, barriers, steel framing and other termite-resistant materials will help shut them out from the very beginning.
For existing homes, it’s important to have a reputable pest control business inspect for infestations and treat if necessary. Many products are extremely effective at killing off a colony while maintaining a high degree of environmental soundness.
Some termiticides operate via a transfer effect, which means that the insects contact the material and bring it with them into the colony. It’s designed to be slow acting, so the termites have time to spread it through the entire population.
Detecting subterranean termites
Because colonies comprise such huge numbers, people might assume their presence is fairly obvious. That’s often not the case. Termite damage can go on right under the homeowner’s nose. Here are a few things to watch for.
First, look to see if there are any mud tubes coming from the ground and traveling up your foundation. This is indicative of subterranean termites. This particular species must stay underground, in moist wood or inside the tubes to prevent their bodies from drying out.
Detecting drywood termites
Drywood termites can be less obvious, but still highly destructive. Because they don’t require constant moisture, these insects can live in your home’s wood for an extended duration. They leave behind no mud tubes that are easy to spot. The subtle traces of drywood termites include sand-like droppings, detached wings on your windowsill, and tiny holes in walls and ceilings. If this evidence starts appearing, try tapping on wood in your house. If any of it sounds hollow, that’s a telltale sign. Sometimes, you’ll be able to poke with a screwdriver and push it right into the compromised wood.
An effective method of getting rid of drywood termites is to have the house tented and fumigated while the residents lodge elsewhere.
Get a guarantee
Be sure to use a pest control service that offers robust guarantees. That means choosing a company that will repair any new damage and provide retreatment if the termite problem isn’t eradicated. A good pest control business will back up its work with a warranty or bond.
Out of sight, out of mind?
Remember, termite activity can thrive without the homeowner’s knowledge. While it’s tempting to wait until visible tokens present themselves, this is unadvisable. Homeowners should schedule regular inspections to make sure there are no problems. If there is an infestation, it’s far better to catch it early.
You’ve worked hard for your home. Don’t let termites turn it into a smorgasbord.