Termites
For a short period in March, termites can be seen swarming outside of their colonies in search of a new home, and this is why spring is known as “termite season.” These termite colonies operate in a caste system, and they can be found everywhere in the US, except Alaska. More often than not, termites are sneaky invaders. They can even be mistaken for ants if you don’t know what to look for.
Termites cause over $5 billion of damage to homeowners every year. These destructive pests cannot be eradicated with DIY termite treatment. Instead, these pests must be taken out by professionals at the root of the problem: the reproductives. The queen alone can produce up to 1,000 eggs daily. Meanwhile, the workers and soldiers provide defense, food and home maintenance for the young.
Colonies can grow to the size of 2 million termites! Their ease of reproduction and risk of extreme damage make them a homeowner’s nightmare – especially in Florida.
Are Termites Common in Florida?
Yes, termites are more common in Florida. Florida is notorious for having an abundance of termites and is categorized in TIP (Termite Infestation Probability) Region #1: Very Heavy, meaning that the probability of infestation is extremely high. This is partially due to the climate. Termites thrive in warm weather, and in the Sunshine State, there is no lack of humidity or hot temperatures.
Tampa, Orlando and Miami especially are known as some of the most infested termite cities in the country. In fact, Tampa ranked #4 for the most infested termite city in the US in 2022. With this in mind, Florida homeowners should recognize the high probability of infestation and take preventative action.
Termite Types in Florida
According to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, there are 20 established termite species in Florida. However, not all are considered pests. UF IFAS has combined their years of research to put together this ever-growing interactive termite map of the most infested termite locations.
Florida has the most termite diversity in the mainland of the United States. Due to Florida’s unique location in the US, it is prone to large amounts of invasive species. Six out of the 20 termite species in Florida are invasive, damage-causing species.
One of the most damaging termites species is the subterranean termite, which includes the formosan termite. Subterranean termites live and attack from underground, and often go undetected for some time.
Subterranean termites require moisture to survive. They can be found underground in the damp soil, and professional termite inspection is the only way to know if these invaders have infested your home and yard.
Stop Termites Once and For All
The best way to eliminate termites is by preventing them from making your home a meal. Having a regular termite inspection can also catch infestations early. Anti-Pesto uses Sentricon baiting systems that work 24/7 to exterminate termites at the root of the problem.
Luckily, you are in good hands with Anti-Pesto. We’ve been serving Tampa since 1988, and our priority is to keep your home completely termite and pest free. We know Florida termites, and we’ve won the fight against them many times before.
Call us today at (727) 524-6333!
