Beware of the dog, or the termites?

Having worked in the pest control business, I can tell you that there are termites doing bad things to homes and other dwellings here in Florida.  In fact, termites are a real problem, especially here in Florida, due to all our moisture, and temperature mix. All the termite types thrive well here, and my hometown of Tallahassee, Florida has been impacted by this cellulose eating critter.

There are two main categories of termites: subterranean, and drywood. The subterranean termites are more numerous. The subterranean termites need moisture from within the earth. They make mud tunnels to climb up into a home, or other structure to get to the wood, or wood products. They must however, be able to return back to the soil for the moisture and nutrients. Drywood termites do not make colonies in the earth. They live in the wood of a structure, or tree.

Within the subterranean termite category are the formosan termites. Formosans are not native to North America. They were recently brought over in ships from overseas regions:  the orient. However, they are the most aggressive of all termites in the United States. They can eat the wood our of a home in as little as three months. They have been found in New Orleans, California, and Florida. They are particularly populated in south Florida, and are moving up to north Florida in greater numbers.

I have seen the damage of termites in Tallahassee. Homes that have lost the roof, or floors that have caved in, decks that are infested. One home can have numerous termite colonies within, and the human residents may be totally unaware of this. Termites do their work with the walls, not outside them. They can be found in wood furniture, and picture frames, however. Again, they go for the cellulose found in wood and wood products, including paper.

Now the best way to protect a dwelling from termites, is by applying a chemical liquid solution of either “premise,” which is usually effective for one to two years, or “termidor,” which is effective for  up to 10 years. A pest control technician, will make a small trench around the exterior perimeter of the home and then apply the liquid termiticide. The older method of applying a termiticide, using tubes with wood bait in them (Sentricon), is not that useful, as it works only if the termites are attracted to the bait tubes. They can always access the  home between the tubes, as the tubes are only applied inside the earth at intervals around the perimeter of the home. Termites have been proven to be much smarter than falling for the bait.

I love Tallahassee, and Florida in general. Who doesn’t. I live here, but am aware of the dangers and higher risks associated with Florida living: hurricanes, tornados, floods, snakes, alligators in most bodies of water, insect pests, long hot summers, and of course, termites.

Would I live elsewhere? Well, give me a cabin in the rockies of Colorado. I would go there. Darn, no mountains in Florida. Hahaha, we have the beautiful beaches, the white sand dunes of the Gulf of Mexico coastline of Florida. We have many forest regions, and rural land. I will deal with the termites.