A Field Guide To Florida Termites
Two unrelated groups with one name, and telling them apart is the entire diagnosis.
Termites
Also Known As
White ants, wood ants, swarmers, alates
Size
3mm to 12mm depending on caste
Active
Year-round. Swarms in daylight after rain
Lifespan
Workers 1 to 2 years, queens over a decade
Native To
Subterranean natives plus introduced Formosan and drywood species
Quickest Tell
Straight-sided body with no waist, straight beaded antennae, and four wings of equal length. An ant has none of those three.
Already Know What You Have?
Most species here are covered on a plan from $139 a visit, with unlimited callbacks between visits.
Termites are easy to miss until the damage is already done. This page covers identification and biology, and links through to treatment and pricing.
What They Look Like
Pale, soft-bodied insects with straight antennae and, on swarmers, two pairs of equal-length wings.
Commonly Confused With
Often mistaken for flying ants. Ants have a pinched waist and bent antennae; termites do not.
How They Live
Colonies grow from a mated pair to thousands of workers over several years, with periodic swarms producing the next generation of reproductives.
They feed on cellulose, mainly wood, so structural timber and paper products are both at risk.
Most activity happens out of sight, inside walls and framing, which is why early signs are easy to miss.
Where They Came From
Established in most regions for a long time, spreading locally through swarms and infested material.
Signs You Have Them
Discarded wings near windows, mud tubes on foundations, and wood that sounds hollow when tapped.
Swarming activity is usually seasonal and tends to follow warm, humid weather.
Seeing these signs at home? We will identify it and treat it on the same visit.
Are They Dangerous?
Not a health risk to people, but a real risk to a structure if left untreated.
Outdoors, termites play a role in breaking down dead wood, which is part of why they target structures too.
Worried about children or pets? Treatment goes into harbourage and entry points, not living space.
Myths Worth Dropping
A common myth is that termite damage is always visible. Often it isn't until a wall or floor gives way.
What You Can Do Yourself
Store firewood away from the house and keep soil from touching untreated wood. Beyond that, this one calls for a professional inspection.
Know What You Have. Now Get Rid Of It.
See the treatment, the timeline and the price for this species, then book the first visit.
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