What Pensacola Residents Should Know About The Termites That Live Here

Termite damaging wood close up
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Do you need a little beach life? Are you a beach bum at heart? Pensacola, Florida, is the place for you! This sun lover's premier destination has some of the most pristine beaches in the world. All are encouraged to relax, explore, and cool off in the beautiful blue waters. One pest that is never encouraged to visit is the termite. The hot, humid, moisture-filled days prevalent in Pensacola are "just right" for termites to thrive.

What Do Termites In Pensacola Look Like?

When you have a reputation as a "silent destroyer," then trouble is sure to follow. While Pensacola does have several kinds of termites (damp wood, dry wood, and subterranean), the subterranean species are the most prevalent and cause the most damage. Termites are divided into castes and have different responsibilities.

Characteristics of the three different castes include:

  • Workers: This cast's responsibility is to use their small jaws to chew wood and move materials. They have no wings and a creamy body that measures around ¼ inches.
  • Soldiers: This caste sports a rectangular head with large jaws. Their job is to defend and protect the colony. They have flat, broad bodies with dark brown heads; this caste has no wings.
  • Reproductives: This caste is vital to the colony's growth and consists of a king, queen, and alates (flying termites). The alates are typically dark brown/black and have milky white wings. They grow to be around ¼ inch to ½ inch long. (The queen is larger than the king.)

How Do I Know If My Pensacola Home Has Termites?

Stealthy and silent, termites can attack your home from the outside or the inside. If homeowners aren't careful, the signs of termites can go unnoticed. While they may be silent, termites do leave some signs of activity that vigilant homeowners will be able to spot if they stay alert.

Seven signs of termites actively working on your property include:

  1. Long wood or soil tunnels (mud-tubes) on the exterior of the home.
  2. Wood structures that are blistering or darkening.
  3. Uneven/bubbling paint.
  4. Softwood that sounds hollow when tapped
  5. Rustling and clicking sound behind doors
  6. Window frames and doors that are hard to open
  7. Small piles of feces (looks like sawdust) around door and window sills

What Does A Termite Infestation In Pensacola Look Like?

Active termites will often build their nests deep under the soil. They will typically feed on wood in the dirt, wood debris, piled firewood, and buried tree stumps. They always require some connection between the soil and wood. To stay protected as they travel, active termites will use their mud tubes for transportation. One tell-tale sign of a termite infestation is seeing mud tubes in and around your home. Another sign of an infestation that homeowners typically pick up on is finding winged termites near bathtubs, sinks, and windows after indoor flights.

How Does EnSec of Florida Get Rid Of Termites In Pensacola?

Since termite removal is challenging and costly, homeowners must immediately call in the pest professionals at EnSec of Florida upon discovering termite signs. Since Pensacola has different kinds of termites, our solutions for termite removal include inspection, treatment, and follow-up with a primary focus on economical and targeted pest control solutions that use greener methods. Call EnSec of Florida for your free estimate and get termite protection started today.