Why is Miami the Top City for Termites?

Are termites an issue for you here in Florida? Termites can cause damage to your home’s inside and outside. When it comes to termites in Florida, you might not be sure what to do if you discover them on your property–or how to get rid of them.

Miami is associated with endless summers and sparkling blue waters, but the Sunshine State also has a shady reputation that you won’t find advertised in any tourist brochures.

Termites in Miami may be small, but they’re deadly. They can consume an entire house from the bottom up, or so the common wisdom holds about these universally despised critters widespread across Florida. Termites especially love Miami, but they don’t come for the sun as most tourists do; instead, they flock here for the dampness. And there’s plenty of dampness thanks to Miami’s infamous humidity levels.

What are the Symptoms of a Termite Infestation?

Since termites are rarely visible when they invade your home, you need to learn to recognize signs of their presence. Termites eat their way into wooden structures, but the devastation doesn’t become visible until the colony has grown large enough to cause significant damage. Keeping a constantly vigilant eye out for termite infestation will help you avoid a serious infestation.

Termites are Divided into Two Types

Termites are divided into two types: worker termites and swarmer termites.

Worker termites have a creamy tint and are the type you see when wood is split apart.

The colony’s reproductive members are known as swarmer termites. They’re a bit bigger than workers, measuring around 0.16 in (4 mm) long. Their coloration may be dark brown or black. Swarmer termites normally lose their wings upon emerging, though certain termites will retain their wings for the duration of their life.

The following are the most common symptoms of a termite infection:

• Termite excrement (“frass”)
• Wood that has been damaged or hollowed out
• Discarded wings shed by termites
• Termite swarms on your property
• Blisters on wood flooring
• Mud tubes surrounding your home’s foundation
• Paint that is cracked or popping
• Small holes in drywall

Termite Activity in Florida: What to Look For

When they’re in the midst of an infestation, termites often shelter inside the property they’re chewing through or beneath. Termite infestation will only become obvious once it has spread widely and the colony has expanded to a significant size.

Aside from looking for direct termite activity, it also is a good idea to inspect your property to determine any damage they may have caused:

Termite Infestation

Termites, like any other pest, leave excrement that signals their existence. Termite feces, commonly known as “frass”, resemble little pellets. Termite activity can also be detected by spotting abandoned swarmer wings.

Termite Destruction

Termites may be present if you see cracks in your walls, mud tubing in your lawn, fractures near your home’s foundation, paint flaking, or wood scorching. Knocking on wood and hearing a dull, hollow “thud” in response could indicate the presence of termites.

Merely noticing the symptoms of termites is a poor indicator of your infestation level because termites are so evasive that even mild evidence of their existence could indicate that their number has reached overcrowding levels. A competent termite exterminator in Miami will always be capable of detecting termite activity in difficult-to-reach or unobtrusive locations.

Termite extermination might feel like a losing struggle. Some colonies can be fairly enormous, making it seem nearly impossible to completely eradicate them. We recommend you leave such jobs to the professionals.