How To Get Rid Of Termites In A Florida Home

Most of us would be happy to live in a world without mosquitoes, spiders, and other pesky insects. While those bugs tend to be more annoying or scary than anything else, other insects can cause real harm. In particular, termites thrive in the humid Florida climate - and can wreak havoc on a house.

Termites eat the cellulose in wood, hollowing out the wood and potentially causing major structural issues. Without treatment, termites can cause thousands of dollars of damage. Fortunately, it is possible to treat termites by yourself or with the help of a professional.

Eaton Realty represents buyers, sellers, and property investors in Hillsborough County in all types of real estate transactions. We advise our clients about everything they need to know to complete a deal successfully, including making sure that their house is protected against termite damage - or how to spot termite damage on an inspection report. Reach out today to talk to a Tampa Realtor about your real estate needs.

How Termites Cause Damage

If you spot small bugs around your home, you may be wondering what they are - and if they are something that needs your attention. If those bugs are termites, then the answer is absolutely yes.

Although they are sometimes referred to as “white ants,” termites are different from ants. While they share a small size - less than half an inch in length - and live in colonies, there are differences between the two. Termites are distinguished by their pale coloring and lack of a narrow waist. In addition, termite antennae are straight, while ant antennae are segmented.

The big problem with termites comes in what they eat. They feed on material containing cellulose, which their bodies can break down into simple sugars for energy. Cellulose can be found in a variety of dead plant materials - including wood. Termites particularly like to eat cellulose found in:

• Softwoods such as pine, spruce, and redwood
• Moist or decaying wood damaged by water or rotting
• Untreated wood that has not been treated with preservatives to resist decay
• Untreated hardwoods like oak, hickory, maple, and birch.

Unfortunately, once termites get established somewhere with a good source of cellulose - such as a home with plenty of wood - they continue to eat. Their insatiable appetite can lead to significant damage.

Each year, termites cause approximately $5 billion in damage to more than 600,000 homes in the United States. Part of the problem with termites is that they are often hidden - which means that homeowners may only notice the problem once significant damage has already been done.

Florida has a tropical climate, which termites happen to love. There are 21 termite species in Florida - although not all are considered pests. There are four types of termites in Florida that will damage a home:

• Subterranean termites, including the native Eastern subterranean termite and Cuban subterranean termite as well as the invasive Formosan subterranean termite, the Asian subterranean termite, and the West Indian subterranean termite. These termites are known to establish colonies in wood before creating multiple nests in the ground that connect to wood. These termites cause a high degree of damage.
• Drywood termites, including the native Florida drywood termites and the invasive West Indian and Western drywood termites. Drywood termites tend to chew tunnels in wooden beams or other pieces of wood, which weakens them from the inside.
• Dampwood termites, including the native Florida dampwood termite. These termites prefer damp, moist, or rotting wood. These termites plug the openings of the wood that they are infecting to preserve humidity levels in the wood - which can make it very difficult to detect them.
• Higher termites, including the Florida dark-winged subterranean termite and the cone-headed or tree termite. Like other types of termites, these higher termites can burrow into wood and cause extensive damage.

Given Florida’s humid climate, it isn’t surprising that termites can be a real problem. The trick comes in finding a termite infestation before it gets too bad - and treating it properly.

Detecting a Termite Infestation

One of the best ways to prevent major problems from termites is by routinely inspecting your home for a potential infestation. You can do this yourself periodically or hire a professional to check your house for you.

Common places that termites might hide include:

• The foundation of your house, particularly where wood touches soil;
• The crawl space;
• Window sills and door frames;
• The attic (especially if you have a leak or other signs of roof damage);
• Mulch around landscaping;
• Piles of firewood or other wood around your house (such as old tree stumps).

For wood in and around your house, you can tap on it with a screwdriver or another tool. If it sounds hollow, then it may be a sign of termite damage. Other signs of a possible termite infestation include:

• Mud tubes, which are used by subterranean termites to move around. If you see mud tubes around your house, then it might be a sign of termites.
• Frass, or termite feces. If you see a lot of small, hard oval frass, then you probably have termites.
• Cracked paint, which can be a sign that termites are inside of the wood.
• Piles of small wings, which swarming termites drop when they want to mate and start a colony.

Again, it may be difficult to know what you are looking for unless you have dealt with termites in the past. If you have any concerns about a potential termite infestation, call a pest control company to check your house.

Treating for Termites in Florida

If you have a relatively small termite infestation, you might be able to treat them yourself. Common termite treatments include:

• A bait station, which should be loaded with something that termites like to eat - such as cardboard or wood - that has been coated with poison. The termites will eat the bait and then return to their colony to die. Other termites will then eat them, and will also die.
• Boiling water can be used to kill a colony of subterranean termites. Simply pour the water into any mud tubes that you find. Keep in mind that these nests tend to be diffuse, so you might not be able to get them all.
• Liquid poison can be sprayed on surfaces where you find termites. It will kill the termites on contact when they walk over it.
• Liquid repellents can also be sprayed on an infestation to keep it from spreading.
• Orange oil can be sprayed directly onto termites. It will kill them and deter them from continuing to eat that wood.

Many homeowners in Florida have their homes regularly treated for pests, including termites. This is often the best option, mainly because regular treatment costs far less than what it may cost to repair damage caused by insects like termites.

If you purchase a home in the Tampa area, your home inspection should include checking for termite damage and other signs of a pest infestation. A seasoned Hillsborough County Realtor can refer you to a home inspector skilled at looking for this type of damage so that you can take any problems into account when making an offer on the house.

Looking to Buy or Sell a House? Give Us a Call

Whether you are looking to buy a new house or sell your existing home, termite damage is just one thing you will need to consider. The real estate market is complex and ever-evolving. Our experienced Tampa Realtors can work with you to help you understand what you need to know to get the best possible deal.

At Eaton Realty, we know that home ownership comes with a lot of responsibility - and the potential for huge rewards. For over 20 years, we have helped clients throughout West Central Florida find the home of their dreams. We use our experience and knowledge to guide our clients through the real estate process, from inspection reports to disclosures to negotiating a deal.

If you want to buy or sell a house in Hillsborough County, we are here to help. Learn more by filling out our online contact form, or call us at 813-672-8022 to talk to a real estate team member.