Termites

Termites usually are cryptic, meaning that they don’t come out into the open making them difficult to detect. They are often called the “silent destroyer” because they may be secretly hiding and thriving in your home or yard without any immediate signs of damage. Even when they are visible within the home as flying insects, termites can often be mistaken for ants. Some homeowners will dismiss the termites as pesky ants (which often swarm at the same time of year) and ignore them without taking any preventive or extermination measures. Termites can be identified by their straight, beaded antennae, and wings of equal size. Ants have elbowed antennae and forewings that are longer than the hind wings. Southwest Florida is a host for many species of termites, including, Subterranean, Drywood and Dampwood Termites.

While termite workers only measure approximately 1 cm to a few millimeters in length, their feeding habits are capable of causing costly damage to property.

Termites primarily feed on cellulose, a part of wood, but also damage paper, books, etc… All termites feed on dead plants and trees as well as dead parts of living trees, including wood. All homes, regardless of their construction type, can provide cellulose food for termite infestation.  Termites can harm living trees and shrubs, but are more often are a secondary invader of woody plants already in decline.