Here in Brandon Florida we’re in a bit of a boom. The population is growing rapidly, and new construction is popping up all over. But a lot of that is being built next to rural lots and properties that have been standing for decades. And some of those places have termite issues that are hopping into the new construction. So today we’ll touch on the topic of Brandon Florida Termites
Brandon Florida Termites: Are the termites bad in Florida?
Termites in Florida, unfortunately, are a big problem. Even more, unfortunately, these termite issues are worse here. And that’s for a number of reasons. The first, most significant, and simplest reason is the ecology of the state. Florida is a warm, humid, tropical state that can sustain almost any insect species. That includes termites. So when our trade, tourism, or other industries bring invaders to our shores; they begin to multiply rapidly. Because of this, the state hosts a dozen species of termite. Each one of these is unique, and their treatment differs from case to case. Among these, the subterranean termites stand out as the most destructive type. But there are many, and none of them are good to have in your home. So, let’s talk about a few of the types of termites you’ll find infesting the Brandon area.
Formosan Termite
We’re not going to save the big bang for last on this list. Up first is the most aggressive and destructive species of Termite in Florida. These termites are subterranean termites, and is characterized by massive populations that share sprawling underground nests. These termites enter homes through expansion joints, cracks, and utility conduits in foundation slabs. Any wood-to-ground contact is an inviting entrance for Formosan subterranean termite infestations. When these termites invade a house above ground, foraging tubes may be found connecting soil and the infested house or structure.
Wood products that have been invaded by these termites have a few signs that may show their presence. For one, tapping the wood with a hard object. In severe cases of infestation, you may go straight through the wood to a termite nest waiting beneath. A piece of wood infested by these termites can also look bubbly, blistered, or peeled on the outside due to the lack of structure beneath. It is not just private property that is at risk with these termites. They’ll attack utility poles, railroad ties, and any other wooden structure near the ground.
Asian Termite
Another subterranean termite is the Asian termite. These small-bodied pests are the second worst termites in the state when it comes to damage to people’s homes and businesses. Early detection and prevention of either species of subterranean termite is crucial. These pests create tunnels and mud tubes similar to Formosan termites. The trait that lands them in second place is their preference for trees. But make no mistake, Asian termites are experts at finding weak points and holes in buildings. And when they do, they will attack and infest it as readily as any tree. Asian termites reproduce with blistering speed, laying up to a thousand eggs daily and leading to infestation numbers in the tens of thousands.
Originally from Southeast Asia, these Brandon Florida termites have established themselves all over the Sunshine State. They prefer living in soil, and build tubes towards structures to attack and then return with the cellulose from your wood. They’ll attack any wood in direct contact with the soil, making them a common sight in homeowner’s gardens and sheds.
These termites are known to eat and weaken important structural beams inside of homes. This can cause thousands of dollars of damage and can severely undermine your home if the infestation is left untreated. During the spring, the winged swarmers will take flight and spread to form new colonies.
Dampwood Termite
Dampwood termites are a large-bodied species of termite. This pest is mostly attracted, shockingly, to perpetually damp or moistened wood. Unlike the two species mentioned above, these termites don’t construct mud tubes for what they eat. Instead, they live completely within any wood they infest and cover their entry holes to preserve the humidity inside. You’ll find these guys in swampy, southern areas of central Florida due to their need for a high moisture environment. These termites do not forage in soil like other species.
As their name states, they typically infest wood that is in some state of decay. They’ll infest structures that are damaged with fungus or high moisture levels from things like leaky pipes. Ventilation issues and leaky drainage around the foundation can also lead to an infestation of this pest. So if you’ve had water damage on your property in the past, it’s important to be wary of these termites. They can hollow out support beams and cause thousands of dollars in structural damage that can lead to your home being unsafe.
Brandon Florida Termites: Infestation Signs
Now, with any species of pest an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So let’s talk about some signs that your home may be infested with Brandon Florida termites.
As I touched on briefly above, buckling and bubbling wood is always a good sign that termites may be beneath. Subterranean termites can cause damage to the subfloor, which can make your wood flooring look discolored or have a wavy appearance on the surface. Termites prefer the softer subfloor wood or supports, so you may not notice their presence until they have done quite a bit of damage below the surface.
Hard to open doors and windows are another sign because of this. When the wood in the frame buckles and warps, sometimes this causes the door or window to need to be forced shut. This can be from termite damage in the frames.
Discarded wings from swarmers are another early warning system. Discarded termite wings can be found near closed windows, doors, and other home-access points. Termites fly toward the windows as they are attracted to the light from outside. They intentionally twist their wings off when they land because they won’t need them again. You may notice piles of these discarded wings, but that doesn’t mean the termites are dead–they may be busy trying to build a new colony nearby.
