Well, on our website we’ve done quite a few articles on termites. But I figured that it’s time to do one big, comprehensive study. That’s why today we’re going to covered termites extensively. We’ll start with a few of the different species and then move to identifying an infestation. Finally, we’ll cover the mysterious “swarmers”, and then finish off with whether or not you should hire a Tampa Termite Exterminator.
Tampa Termite Exterminator: Termite Species
If you grabbed and looked at a single termite, you probably wouldn’t be intimidated. They certainly don’t seem very dangerous on their own. But, a whole colony of termites can very quickly snowball into a home or business owner’s worst nightmare. Called the “silent destroyers” by some, they cause about five billion in property damage each year. We may be going into the cold part of the seasons for now, but January is just around the corner, and when the winter frosts pass they’ll be on the move.
While there may be about two thousand known species of termites, today we’ll be covering a few of the worst infestation species.
Dampwood Termites
The dampwood termite is one that’s a bit larger than the other species. And, if you couldn’t guess by the name, they like damp wood to live in the most. They usually don’t infest structures too regularly, thanks to a home’s low moisture content. However, South Florida has been battered with storms, floods, and rain constantly over the past few years. This makes it easy for water damage to sneak into your foundation or walls, which can attract the dampwoods to your home and have you running for a Tampa termite exterminator. Like I said earlier, you’ll mostly find these guys down in southern Florida, but they’re not unheard of in the rest of the state.
Drywood Termites
Next, we’ll move into pretty much the exact opposite species of termite. The drywood termites, as their name suggests, infest dry wood. This species doesn’t need to be in contact with the soil, either. This means that these termites often establish their nests in rooves and wooden wall supports. They will usually start in dead wood that’s around your home, and move inside after they run out of that. They don’t require as much moisture to survive as most other species, but you can also find them near water sources. This includes things like a leaky pipe or a water heater. They can be found in just about any southern state, all the way from North Carolina, through the gulf coast, and into the very edges of southern California.
Subterranean termites
Almost every pest control specialist has probably run into this species at least once, including the Tampa termite exterminator. Subterranean termites are found in every state in the U.S. except Alaska. This species of termite lives underground in colonies, or in moist areas aboveground. Their nests tend to hold upwards of two million members. These termites build the distinctive mud tubes that shoot upwards to gain access to food and to protect themselves from the open air. These are by far the biggest destroyers of property in our country.
Formosan Termites
The last species on our list is actually invasive. Originally all the way from China, the Formosan termites are the most aggressive of all two thousand species of termites known to mankind. They organize into huge underground colonies and build mud nests inside the walls of a structure. Because of their aggressive propagation, these termites are exceedingly hard to control once they infest your structures. You’ll find these guys spread across the southern states, with a large concentration in the southeast.
Tampa Termite Exterminator: Infestation Signs and Swarmers
Now that we have a few of the more common species covered, we’ll move into the signs. Having one or more of these is generally a pretty bad tell that they’re in your home or property. And as I said above with a few of the species, once an infestation gets bad enough, it becomes a real task to dislodge. That’s why you must look out for these warning signs with your eyes peeled.
Swarmers
If you see termite swarmers, that usually means you have an active mature colony on your hands. Swarmers from mature colonies usually leave the nest once or twice a year. These times are commonly spring and fall. But, the exact timing of the swarms varies based on the species of termite. Also, the weather conditions can change the time that swarmers emerge. Swarmers can be missed by an unwary homeowner since they swam outside briefly during the morning or afternoon. But if they swarm inside the home, you can often find their bodies piled up in windows or other bright places.
Wing Piles
Termite swarmers usually leave to establish a new colony. And when they reach a satisfactory place to land, they tend to shed their wings. This is why you may find small piles of wings in spider webs or on surfaces around your home’s foundation, once again in spots like the windowsill.
Mud Tubes
These are telltale signs that you have Subterranean termites on your hands. These insects build mud tubes to serve as bridges between their colony and the wood they consume. They’re usually made out of wood, soil, and debris, and are used to conserve moisture and protect the termites as they travel upwards.
Termite Droppings
After consuming woods, termites tend to leave behind frass- a fancy word for poop. These tiny fecal mounds are another clear sign of a nearby brewing termite infestation.
One to keep in mind with all of these signs is that they’re normally only present after months or even longer. The best way to protect your home is to have it inspected by a licensed professional every year. Trained experts can spot even the smallest signs of termite activity, and that little cost can save you thousands of dollars in home repair in the future.
Tampa Termite Exterminator- our method.
If you go to most pest control specialists, you’ll likely be dealing with a tent. Termite tenting, also known as structural fumigation, is a localized method of pest control that is commonly used by non-natural pest control agencies.
There’s a problem with this though, as the Sulfuryl Flouride used in the process is quite dangerous. This chemical is a depressant if the central nervous system and is highly toxic to just about every form of life. And even when the tent is removed from a home, the gas is a potent greenhouse gas. This contributes to global warming. When you get your home tented, you can expect that Sulfuryl Flouride to stay in the atmosphere for about thirty years- even up to a century for some cases.
The method we use is Orange Oil treatment. Orange Oil is a fantastic way to spot treat termites. Unlike erecting a tent over your home and filling the atmosphere with harmful gasses, orange oil is a completely natural method of pest control. There’s no need to move out for the duration of the treatment, and no cleanup for you afterward. No poisonous gasses are used, and we provide a written warranty to you because we’re so confident in its ability to destroy a termite colony. Chemical pesticides have long since been proven dangerous to you and the environment. Be smart and contact us today for your pest control needs. Our oil won’t even kill your houseplants.
