Florida’s humid, warm climate offers the perfect conditions for termites to nest and breed. It starts with a small clue, maybe a hollow window frame or a strange pile of sawdust near a baseboard. You might shrug it off, but these signs can hint at a subterranean termite infestation. This silent intruder can live in your home for years without being seen, slowly gnawing through wooden material. If you notice signs of termites, contact your local technician to prevent further damage to your property.
Eastern Subterranean Termite Identification
Like other termite species, there is a hierarchy in eastern subterranean termite colonies. Each caste looks and behaves differently, with its own role in the group. Workers build nests and search for food, soldiers protect the colony from threats, and reproductives (winged termites) are responsible for breeding new colonies. These different behaviors can help identify and confirm if the termites you’re seeing are eastern subterranean termites.
Eastern Subterranean Termites in Florida
The eastern subterranean termite is a social insect and the most common and widely distributed termite in North America. Because of this, it is considered the most economically significant and damaging species in the U.S. Termites consume cellulose, the main structural component of plant cells. Any wood matter in a home is a potential food source, but they may also damage other materials in search of food. Termites as a group rarely show themselves in the open, making infestations difficult to detect until the damage becomes severe.
Eastern Subterranean Termite Habitat
They live in walls, basements, crawl spaces, and other damp areas. The reproductives (winged termites) swarm in the spring to find a mate. These are attracted to light and will swarm around doors and windows. After fluttering about for a short time, their wings break off and they group into pairs, becoming king and queen of a new termite colony. A common sign of termites is the presence of mud tubes, inside or outside homes. Termites make these earth-colored tubes primarily as a protected runway from their nests to food sources.
Eastern Subterranean Termite Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers
Because termites consume cellulose, any wood-based structures or materials in a house are ideal targets. Termites are secretive, and when damage is detected, it is usually the result of years of infestation. The presence of swarming termites or their wings alone is a sign that termites are at work. Winged termites are often confused with winged ants; however, while ants in homes are a nuisance most species (with the exception of carpenter ants) do not damage the wood.
Florida Pest Control develops tailored termite treatments to control active infestations, using baiting traps and prevention techniques to protect your property now and in the future.
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Where Are Eastern Subterranean Termites Found?
Eastern subterranean termites live underground in moist soil, often close to homes and buildings. In Florida, they’re especially drawn to areas with excess moisture, like leaky outdoor faucets, clogged gutters, or mulch beds that stay damp. These termites often build their colonies near wood that touches the ground, such as fence posts, deck supports, or wood siding. Cracks in foundations or expansion joints can also give them direct access to a structure.
What Do Subterranean Termites Eat?
Subterranean termites feed on cellulose, a material found in wood. This includes structural lumber, paper, cardboard boxes, fabrics, and drywall. This can eventually damage walls, floors, and the wooden structural components of your home.
Are All Termites Subterranean?
No. Not all termites need soil contact to survive. In Florida, you may also come across drywood termites and dampwood termites. Drywood termites can live entirely inside the wood they feed on, while dampwood termites prefer moist, decaying wood. Unlike these types, eastern subterranean termites rely on wet soil to survive. They build mud tubes to stay protected while they travel between their colony and a food source.
How To Get Rid Of Eastern Subterranean Termites?
A professional inspection is the best way to identify and treat an infestation. These termites often build hidden colonies and enter homes through underground tunnels, so DIY methods may not reach the source. For long-term protection, it’s best to bring in a trained technician.
