Dec 26, 2024 | Florida Termite Control
As a homeowner in Fort Myers, you’re no stranger to the warmth and humidity that create the perfect breeding ground for termites. These pests may seem harmless at first, but they can cause devastating damage to your home if left unchecked. In fact, termites are responsible for billions of dollars in property damage each year across the U.S. — and Florida is one of the most affected states. Here’s why termite prevention should be a top priority for any Fort Myers homeowner.
The Benefits of Termite Prevention
1. Protect Your Investment
Your home is likely the largest investment you’ll ever make. Termites can silently and steadily eat away at the wood structure of your home, causing costly damage before you even realize there’s a problem. Preventative measures, like annual inspections and professional treatments, can save you from a costly and stressful repair bill down the road.
2. Florida’s Climate Makes It a Hotspot for Termites
Fort Myers’ tropical climate is ideal for termites, especially the destructive subterranean variety. The moisture in the air and the warm temperatures year-round provide the perfect environment for termites to thrive. Without proper prevention, you’re putting your home at a higher risk of infestation.
3. Prevention is More Cost-Effective Than Repair
Treating an existing termite infestation can cost thousands of dollars, especially if structural repairs are needed. Preventing termites before they invade your home is far more affordable and less disruptive. Routine inspections by a pest control expert can identify signs of termite activity early and help stop infestations before they get out of hand.
4. Avoid Structural Damage
Termites target wood, and that’s exactly what your home’s frame is made of. Over time, even a small infestation can weaken the structure of your home, leading to expensive repairs or even unsafe living conditions. Regular treatment and monitoring give you peace of mind, knowing that your home’s foundation is secure.
5. Long-Term Benefits of Early Detection
The key to effective termite control is early detection. If termites are caught in the early stages, they are much easier—and cheaper—to eliminate. Professional pest control companies use the latest technology such as Sentricon to spot termite activity even before it becomes visible to the untrained eye.
In Fort Myers, termite prevention is not just a good idea—it’s a necessity. With the right precautions in place, you can protect your home from these destructive pests and avoid the high costs associated with repairs. Don’t wait until it’s too late—schedule an inspection today and take the first step toward protecting your home from termites.
May 14, 2024 | DIY Pest Control, Florida Termite Control
Subterranean termites will go undetected and cause severe damage to Florida homes. While there are several species of termites, subterranean termites are one of the most popular species found in areas of Florida. We breakdown what you should know about these termites and how you can prevent them from infesting your home.
What You Should Know About Subterranean Termites
They Need Water & Soil to Survive
Subterranean termites need a water source and soil to survive and form their colonies. These termites create mud tubes to travel back and forth between your home and their nest. These tubes protect them from damage and predators, and allow them to accumulate moisture for survival.
They Are Active Year-Round
Subterranean termites are active year-round, with swarmers being the earliest sign of their activity. Termite swarming season in Florida can start as early as February and run all the way until June. Spotting swarmers around your home is the first indication that a termite colony is present nearby, and another one could be starting up soon.
Their Colonies Are Hidden
Subterranean termites will stay hidden within wood and underground within their colony. Their mud tubes will protect them and allow them to stay hidden when traveling back from their nest to your home. These mud tubes are typically about the size of a pencil and can be on ceilings, walls, exterior surfaces, and on the sides of slabs.
Their Damage Can Be Extensive
Since these colonies stay hidden, it can be very difficult to detect them, allowing them to cause extensive damage to homes. Many termite infestations can go unnoticed until it’s too late for early treatment before their damage is done. In the United States, termites are known to cause over $5 billion in damage to homes annually.
Subterranean Termite Infestations Are Preventable
There are several preventative options that Florida homeowners should consider to prevent termite infestations. Several pest control companies provide varying techniques of termite management, including liquid barrier treatments and termite bait treatments, such as the Sentricon®️ Always Active Bait Station. These preventative measures also include annual inspections along with their treatments to provide you with the peace of mind that your home is always being protected from termites.
If you’re interested in termite control, reach out to a pest control company near you. These professionals will provide you with a thorough inspection and a customized treatment and prevention plan for your home.
Feb 15, 2024 | Florida Termite Control
One of the biggest investments you can make is your home, so taking every precaution to protect it from termites is critical! Subterranean and drywood termites will wreak havoc on your Florida home, eating it from the inside out, resulting in thousands of dollars in repairs. Homeowner’s insurance may not cover termite damage, so it’s important to understand the types of termite control and preventative measures you should take to avoid termite damage. We breakdown Florida termite control options and preventative measures to consider for your home and property!
Florida Termite Control Options
It’s always best to consult with your local pest control company on the best termite prevention or control plan for your home and termite situation. These professionals will be able to offer various options to prevent and control termites from taking over your home, including:
- Bait Station: Installed by a pest professional around the perimeter of your home, bait stations, including the Sentricon Always Active Bait Station, eliminate subterranean termites and their colonies. These stations contain a slow-acting termiticide food source where termites will take it back to their colony, eventually eliminating it.
- Liquid Termite Defense: These treatments look to eliminate subterranean termites and their colonies. Liquid defense treatments require your termite professional to dig a trench around your foundation and inject a termiticide to eliminate the entire colony and its queen.
- No-Tent Treatment: Best used to address drywood termite infestations, the no-tent treatments utilize a non-repellent product into drywood termite galleries to eliminate the termites found in your Florida home. This treatment is slow acting to allow termites who encounter the product to take it back to the queen and colony to eliminate it.
DIY Termite Control Tips
Along with having a termite control plan in place, there are several do-it-yourself termite prevention measures you can place around your home to keep these pests from even entering your property. Check out our top termite prevention tips here:
- Eliminate entry points around your home by filling in cracks or holes in cement foundations and around gaps where utilities enter the house with cement, caulk, or grout.
- Eliminate excess moisture or standing water by fixing leaks around or inside your home and keeping your crawlspace and attic well-ventilated to help reduce the moisture.
- Remove unnecessary lumber, old trees, or tree stumps from your yard
- Schedule a regular termite inspection with a termite control company near you to help catch termite infestations early, identify signs of termite activity, and provide the most effective termite treatment option if needed.
Jun 16, 2023 | Florida Termite Control
Living in South Florida can come with many perks, including lots of sunshine and beautiful ocean views. Unfortunately, it can also come with termites! These silent destroyers can cause significant damage to your home from the inside out. There are several treatment options out there to help keep termites under control, including the Sentricon Always Active® system. Here is more information on subterranean termites, along with ways to prevent and eliminate them.
What are Subterranean Termites?
Let’s talk about these stealthy troublemakers! Subterranean termites are the most common type of termite found in residential areas. They thrive in moist soil and create underground colonies, where they build intricate tunnel systems to access sources of food. Their damage can go unseen for years, hence the nickname, Silent Destroyers.
How to Prevent Subterranean Termites:
- Remove Moisture from Home: Subterranean termites love moisture, so keep an eye on areas prone to dampness, such as crawlspaces and basements. Ensure proper ventilation and address any leaks or water issues promptly. By eliminating excess moisture, you’re making your home less attractive to termites.
- Protect your Home’s Foundation: Keep some space between your home and the landscaping.
- Conduct Regular Inspections: In between your yearly termite inspection, you should be conducting one of your own. Here are the most prominent signs of subterranean termites in your home:
- Mud tubes or tunnels on walls
- Swarming termites and their discarded wings
- Wood damage, like hollow sounding wood, sagging or buckling floors, or warped paint
- Frass or termite droppings near wooden structures
When it comes to termite control for subterranean termites, Sentricon Always Active® baiting system stands out as a highly effective and eco-friendly solution. The stations are strategically placed around your property, forming a protective barrier.
Once termites find the bait, they take it back to their colony for complete elimination. Having Sentricon Always Active® installed for your home ensures continuous protection against subterranean termites, year-round. Our team of experts regularly monitor the bait systems, keeping the efficacy as accurate as possible.
By implementing simple prevention measures you can lessen the chances of these termites taking over. If you’re ready for the experts to get involved, give your local pest control company a call today for a FREE inspection!
May 25, 2023 | Florida Termite Control
South Florida Termite Control: Types of Termites
In South Florida, our warm, humid, and tropical weather is the perfect environment for termites to thrive. If these silent destroyers invade, their damage to your home or property can be devasting and could cost thousands of dollars in repairs. In Florida, there are two common types of termites that homeowners should be aware of: drywood termites and subterranean termites. To prevent these termites, it’s important to understand their differences and methods to keep them from infesting. Read more to learn about drywood termites and subterranean termites.
Common Termites in South Florida
Drywood Termites
- These termites are brown or white and are larger than subterranean termites.
- They live and nest within wooden structures or dry wood.
- They do not need contact with the soil to live.
- One of the most common signs of their infestation is spotting frass, which can appear in piles in the infestation and often looks like sawdust.
Subterranean Termites
- There are two kinds of subterranean termites, the solider and the alate or flying termites.
- These termites need a water source to survive and will live in the soil to get it.
- These termites build tunnels and nests underground to ensure it’s humid enough and where they can obtain water.
- A sign of their infestation is seeing mud tubes, a mixture of soil, wood, saliva, and feces.
- You can often spot mud tubes along a home’s foundation or floor joints inside a building.
Preventing Termites in South Florida
Preventing both types of termites is essential to protecting the structural integrity of your home. When preventing subterranean termites, look to eliminate any moisture problems from your property, including that your yard has good drainage, fixing leaky pipes, and removing items that can hold water like buckets or old tires. Likewise, make sure that you are being cautious of the areas where there is soil-to-structure contact. For drywood termites, keep firewood at least 20 feet from the home and elevated off the ground, and regularly inspect your deck or patio for signs of damage.
One of the best ways to ensure your home is termite free is to get regular termite inspections from your local termite control company. These professionals will be able to give your home a thorough inspection and recommend the best prevention plan to avoid future termite infestations.
