Ultimate Termite Control: Cape Coral, FL’s Premier Protection

How To Get Rid of Termites in Cape Coral, FL

When you have a termite infestation, you need immediate professional help. Termites can cause costly structural damage to your home, potentially wrecking it entirely. The earlier you contact a professional service like All U Need Pest Control, the faster you can get rid of the termites, and the more money you’ll save on repairs.

Speaking with professionals is essential because different termites have different behaviors and habitats. Professionals can identify which termite you’re dealing with and the best treatment strategy to remove them.

To eliminate termites, All U Need Pest Control uses several effective approaches. One strategy we use is the Sentricon System. For this, we first apply a liquid termite treatment around the perimeter of your home, creating a protective shield so new termites from the outside cannot enter.

Simultaneously, we strategically place termite bait stations around your property. Termites carry the bait, which is laced with a slow-acting insecticide, back to their colonies, poisoning the entire colony over time. Baiting is especially effective for subterranean termite species like the destructive Formosan subterranean termites.

Some infestations may call for additional applications of pesticides. Our professionals can perform localized spot treatments where we apply pesticides to small, distinct areas. This limits the amount of pesticide needed while solving the termite issue.

Types of Termites in Cape Coral, FL

Florida has 20 termite species, the most out of any other U.S. state. However, despite their bad reputation, not every termite species is a pest. Knowing the different types of termites in Cape Coral, FL can help you understand what they are and when they might be a problem.

All termite types have three castes or social classes in their colonies. Workers are responsible for constructing and maintaining the tunnels and nests, providing food for the colony, and caring for the young termites and queens. Soldiers defend the colony from predators such as ants. Soldiers and workers are wingless termites. Reproductives or swarmers are winged termites that leave the colony to mate and establish new termite colonies. Reproductives include the king and queen of a colony.

In general, termite species fall into one of three main classifications: subterranean, drywood, and dampwood.

Subterranean Termites in Cape Coral, FL

The most damaging type of termite is the subterranean termite, found in every state except Alaska. A single subterranean termite colony can have up to 2 million termites. They feed on wood and are responsible for the structural damage of houses and buildings.

Subterranean termites live mostly underground and sometimes in moist areas above ground, but their survival depends on maintaining contact with soil moisture. To keep this contact, they construct the mud tubes you may notice inside or outside walls and foundations to protect the workers. These tubes keep a moist atmosphere for workers so they can travel without worry.

H4: Formosan Subterranean Termites in Cape Coral, FL :H4

Formosan subterranean termites are a species of subterranean termites present throughout the southeast U.S., including Cape Coral, FL. They are the most aggressive type of termite and cause the most damage. While the average Formosan subterranean termite doesn’t consume more wood than other subterranean termites, the large size of their colonies allows them to be more destructive.

Formosan subterranean termite swarmers are around half an inch long and are yellow-brown. They have tiny hairs on their massive wings and often fly on humid nights between April and July. Soldiers have large orange-brown heads with strong mandibles. Workers aren’t as distinct and are off-white in color.

Drywood Termites in Cape Coral, FL

As the name suggests, drywood termites prefer hard dry wood. This could be parts of your housing structure, furniture, or banisters. Drywood termites do not live in the soil. Instead, they produce water from the wood on which they feed. They leave distinct droppings near infested wood that can appear to be coffee grounds or sand. Because they live solely within the wood they feed on, detecting their presence can be difficult for the untrained eye.

H4: West Indian Drywood Termites in Cape Coral, FL :H4

A common type of drywood termite found in Cape Coral, FL is the West Indian drywood termite. These termites live throughout Florida and the Caribbean and stretch into some parts of Georgia. Swarmers have a much darker body color than termites in the other castes. Soldiers have very dark heads and much lighter bodies. Like other termite species, the workers are light in color, wingless, and eyeless. West Indian Drywoods are a pest that prefers manmade structures to the point where no one has found them in a natural environment in the U.S.

Dampwood Termites in Cape Coral, FL

Unlike drywood termites, dampwood termites thrive on damp decaying wood in high-humidity environments. Dampwood termites usually are larger than other types individually but tend to have smaller colonies. You can find dampwood termites in damp conditions or around leaks, such as in basements or attics. If not dealt with, dampwood termites can cause significant damage over time.

H4: Florida Dampwood Termites in Cape Coral, FL :H4

Florida dampwood termites thrive in both natural and manmade environments. You can find this species in Cape Coral, FL, Puerto Rico, and other islands in the Caribbean. You can identify the swarmers by their reddish-brown body and the hairs that sprout from their heads and bodies. Soldiers have two visible teeth with a distinct feature where their shoulder area is as wide as their head. Like other types, the workers are small, light, and wingless.

How To Prevent Termite Infestations in Cape Coral, FL

Because Cape Coral is a hotbed for termites, it’s crucial to take preventative measures to protect your home and property. Moisture attracts termite colonies, so the first thing you should do to prevent an infestation is to reduce and eliminate moisture in and around your home.

There are several steps to take to reduce moisture. Making sure your property directs water away from your home is crucial. This may require some construction so the liquid drains properly. You also must maintain gutters and downspouts so no blockages or buildup keep water near your house. Fixing leaks in faucets, pipes, and air conditioning units is also vital for reducing moisture.

Ventilation can also reduce moisture. Using dehumidifiers in areas that are likely to get humid, such as basements, crawl spaces, and attics, can make your home less attractive for termites. Installing vents in these areas can also reduce humidity and moisture.

Another precaution that you can take is limiting wood-to-soil contact. Lining your house or garden with mulch provides termites with food and moisture. Mulch that touches the outsides of your home could provide a pathway for termites to infest it. Wood mulch alternatives such as synthetic mulch, rubber mulch, or pebbles can reduce the possibility of termites. Likewise, wooden areas like pool decks, decks, or fence posts can provide termite entry points. Swapping out wood supports for metal or concrete ones can further prevent termites from entering.

If you live in Cape Coral, FL and worry about termites, scheduling regular inspections is a good idea. All U Need Pest Control has professional agents that can quickly detect and identify the early signs of termite activity and determine the proper termite treatment methods. We are transparent and open about the steps we’re taking throughout the process to guarantee your satisfaction.