Why Bradenton Florida Homes Are Always At Risk For Termites
1/15/2019
Some things are seasonal. Weather, for example, follows certain patterns. We’re much more likely to experience a hurricane in September than we are in March. Harvesting is also seasonal. We wouldn’t expect to pull a ripe orange off our backyard tree in July, but we would in January.
Other things are not seasonal. When it comes to pests in Florida, many thrive in our climate year-round, making them a continual threat twelve months a year.
Why Termites are Bad News
One of those pests is the termite. Termites are bad news for Florida homeowners for a number of reasons:
- They never go dormant. Although we get a break from the extreme heat in the winter, it doesn’t typically get cold enough in Florida to slow termites down. They can work no matter what time of year it is, whether they are indoors or out.
- They thrive in moist, humid environments. Termites love nothing better than a moisture-damaged piece of wood.
- Considering the fact that our climate is basically humid all the time, Florida is a termite’s idea of paradise.
- They’re great at going unnoticed. Termites don’t make appearances above ground very often. Your best chance of seeing them is when the swarmers come out in the spring. That makes it likely that you won’t know they’re around.
- The signs they leave behind are subtle and easily missed. Small holes in wood with piles of frass below are one sign of a drywood termite invasion. Mud tubes along the foundation of your house is a sign of subterranean termites. If you don’t know to look for these signs, you could easily miss them.
- The most significant signs of a termite infestation appear after extensive damage has been done. If you notice bulging walls or sagging ceilings or floors, this means termites are well-established in your home and have already caused serious and potentially dangerous damage.
How They Get Inside
Termites are attracted to rotting wood and may first get near your home to feast on a wood fence, deck, or porch. That’s why it’s important to keep your yard as moisture-free as possible. You should also keep an eye on any wooden structures for water damage and repair or replace any that you find.
Once near your home, termites can get in through small cracks and openings. Even if you don’t have water-damaged wood, they can still feed on sound wood and establish satellite colonies in your home.
Why Year-Round Protection is Your Best Bet
Because termites are a year-round threat in Florida and they are so good at going undetected, it’s important to have continual protection against them. Whether you already have a termite problem, or not, year-round termite control is the way to go.
Keller’s Pest Control can identify the extent of a termite infestation and its damage, as well as eliminate the infestation and prevent future infestations from occurring. No matter the season, termites are a threat. Protect your Bradenton home with termite control from Keller’s.
