According to The University of Florida, Florida is home to 20 different species of termites. Some types are more aggressive than others, but one thing they all share is a voracious appetite. Termites eat 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 52 weeks a year. How much they eat is determined by the size and type of termite and the availability of the food source. A good rule of thumb is a single termite eats about 2% of it’s body weight daily. Yeah, they’re small, so that can’t be much, right? But if you have a colony of 60,000 workers, that translates to an entire square foot of wood in about a month.

Evidence of Subterranean termites can show up at any time, but swarms are most common in early spring. Subs tend to swarm in the late morning hours. If you have a swarm, call Platinum Pest Management, Inc. at 561-440-4567 to schedule an inspection. Save a few samples of what you find whether it’s wings or bodies.

In Florida, the Department of Agriculture requires the soil beneath your home be treated for subterranean termites prior to the pouring of the concrete. That treatment automatically includes a one-year warranty which is renewable annually. So, if you’re building a new home or adding an addition or patio, call Platinum Pest Management, Inc. to discuss having the soil treated.

We’ve all seen houses with tarps covering them. Tent fumigation is a good indication that the structure has drywood termites. Although any type of termite is bad, the good news is drywood colonies number from a few hundred termites to only a few thousand…much smaller than their subterranean termite counterparts. Swarms generally start in May or June and continue throughout the summer. The most obvious signs are frass or pellets, wings or even bodies. Wings are often found on windowsills, although that’s not necessarily where they are living. In general, drywood termites swarm in the late afternoon and early evening and the swarm can last 30 – 40 minutes. Think you’re seeing signs? Call Platinum Pest Management, Inc. at 561-440-4567 and we’ll schedule a convenient time to inspect the premises and identify what you’re seeing.

Regardless of what type of termites you have, the Florida Department of Agriculture stipulates a one-year warranty be issued for any whole house treatment performed. That warranty is renewable annually thereafter for a small fee. Call us at 561-440-4567 to discuss treatment options and prices. And don’t let termites eat you out of house and home!