The rainy season here on the Gulf Coast of Florida has officially ended, and hurricane season isn’t far behind. That means we have just a few weeks before temperatures drop. Well, into the upper 70s at least. While we hardly ever get as brisk and chilly as our neighbors to the North, we’ll notice the relatively cooler temps – and so will one of our least favorite bugs, the termite.
Our owner, Dean Burnside, often says there are two kinds of homes in our area: ones with termites and ones that eventually will have termites. Unless you’re prepared, nearly every home in Florida is affected sooner or later by termites.
Now is the Time
Termites are active year-round. During cooler months, termites burrow deeper into the soil or remain protected inside walls, continuing to cause unnoticed damage. We aren’t exempt because we stay on the warmer side. And just because you don’t often see termites outside swarming season, doesn’t mean they aren’t there.
In fact, we encourage customers who are considering termite protection or who may need an inspection to get it done in the fall. Once you’re past back to school, and before the holidays steal all your time, now is the ideal time to get your home or business checked for coptotermes formosanus, coptotermes gestroi, or the worst case scenario, the unique Florida hybrid super termites.
The best time to prevent a termite invasion of your home is yesterday, two weeks ago. The second best time? It’s right now, while you’re thinking of it. The old proverb an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure comes to mind. Don’t wait until you see the remnants of termites swarming, or worse, discover your home is rapidly being hollowed out to deal with the problem.
Time of the Signs
Florida may indeed be one of the worst places to not notice a termite incursion. We don’t have data on how much of the $5-7 Billion in termite destruction actually happens in the Sunshine State. But consider this – termites here remain active year-round, while in many states, the queen will pause laying eggs during the winter. That doesn’t happen in Florida. The queen just keeps building her colony while we’re eating turkey and decorating our Christmas trees.
Think hurricane season is bad? Termites cause more damage in Florida than fires and floods combined. And you should know that most homeowners’ insurance does not cover termite damage.
There are things to look for if you suspect a termite invasion. Here are the red flags to be on the lookout for: crumbling wood, hollow windows and doors, during swarming season discarded wings, holes in your drywall, sagging sheetrock, bubbling or buckling floors, and discoloration of ceilings or walls. If you notice any of these signs, call a professional.
Again, the best approach to handle termites is to prevent them from entering your home in the first place. The first step of our world class Term Assure 365+ is to fully inspect your property and install always-active termite bait stations.
Term Assure 365+ comes bundled with our Green Perimeter Plus, meaning your home is covered for all manner of creepy crawlies. It also comes with a $1-million subterranean termite damage warranty. That covers what your homeowners’ insurance won’t. For more details, or to schedule your first visit and inspection, please give us a call!