Fort Lauderdale, FL, is a premier vacation destination that boasts beautiful beaches, such as pompano beach, Deerfield beach, palm beach, and more. It’s a busy town that homes nearly 200,000 residents. However, along with a continuously growing population, economy, marinas, boatyards, and canals, Fort Lauderdale attracts many unwanted pests.

Pest control in Fort Lauderdale is vital in protecting homes and commercial structures against pests, bugs, and rodents that like to infest certain areas in the famous beachfront city. Termite control in Fort Lauderdale is also crucial as this pest commonly infest wood in warm and damp areas, common among the buildings along the waterway and beaches of the city. Don’t let these pests wreak havoc on your home or business and get rid of them by doing termite treatment at home or with a pest control service in your area.

Signs of Infestation

While any pest invading your home can become a problem, termites are the most notorious as they destroy your home’s structure. The average home in Fort Lauderdale, FL, accrues over thousands of dollars in damages from this pest, and most homeowners’ insurance doesn’t cover this. That’s why the best solution is consulting in a Lauderdale Termite Control service to minimize your overall cost.

To address your termite problem fast, here are the different signs of infestations.

Discarded Wings

An early sign of a termite infestation is when you see small and transparent insect wings scattered outside your home. As these pests start building their colonies in your property, they will shed their wings and begin to reproduce.

Damaged Wooden Materials

You may mistake termites as flying ants, to differentiate the two, termites often leave damaged wooden materials, including damages to softwood and darkening or blistering of wood structures.

Formation of Tubes

Termites, especially subterranean termites, like to build tubes when invading your home, so look out for pencil-sized tubes protruding from the outside walls of your house. They make these mud tunnels because it provides them with moisture and protection.

Most individuals don’t know they have these pests until they see noticeable damages around their property. Remember these signs to control termite infestations fast or consult in pest control Fort Lauderdale and set up an appointment for a termite inspection service.

Termites in Fort Lauderdale

In Fort Lauderdale, FL, three different types of termites invade most homes. 

Drywood Termites

Drywood termites infest natural or structural wood, including old furniture and dead portions of trees. This pest excretes their fecal pellets from the gallery through kick-out holes present in wooden structures. Residents are encouraged to do home fumigation to eliminate this pest. 

Subterranean Termites

This termite is the most aggressive among other species. A single colony from this pest can contain up to a million termites and forage up to 150 feet in search of sustenance. They typically damage structures and wood. Controlling subterranean infestations can be challenging as their structural infestations are usually not visible. The most effective treatment is using a termite baiting system to track and eliminate their colonies. 

Formosan Termites

This termite is relatively new in the cities of Florida, such as coral springs and Fort Lauderdale. They are one of the toughest termites to exterminate as a single colony of Formosan termites can produce up to several million termites. These pests build their nest above ground, so the best way to track them is by also using a termite baiting system. 

Knowing what types of termites that are invading your home can immensely help you prevent further damage and let you determine what is the best way to control termite infestations from each species. 

How Long Does It Take For Termites to Cause Damage

Termites are sneaky, and it can take several years before you notice their presence in your home. Below are the most common termites in Fort Lauderdale and how long they cause damage.

• Subterranean species -You need to quickly detect them because they can quickly grow to millions of termites. This species can cause immediate damage to your home.

• Drywood species – These pests develop and build their colonies at a much slower rate. They take longer to cause damage to your home. 

The early detection of these pests is crucial when you want to minimize the damage in your home and your pocket. You can try to find early signs of these termites or consult in your local pest control service for fast and effective termite control or removal. 

Eliminating the Problem

To save your home, you can opt for the following solutions to your pest problems. 

Professional Pest Control Service

If you want to remove these pests fast, you hire professionals. They can track the source of the problem in a few hours and eliminate them within the day. Availing a professional service is the fastest and most effective solution. 

Liquid Chemicals

If you are dealing with Formosan or subterranean species of termites, you can opt for surrounding the exterior of your home with liquid pesticides. This liquid will serve as a trench or barrier treatment against these pests. However, this method can only eliminate the pests themselves and not their colonies. 

Baiting System

This solution is the best for the subterranean species because they build their nests on the ground. You can place baiting systems around the exterior of your home using wooden stakes and douse them with pesticides. 

Fumigation 

Fumigation is the best solution in eliminating all termites inside your home. This method uses fumes of certain chemicals to kill these pests from your home’s foundation to the smallest cracks or spaces.

You can do some of these termite treatment remedies by yourself or with your local pest control company by requesting their service of exterminating these pests, saving you time and money.

Preventive Measures

The best way to control termite infestations is by preventing them from creating colonies in the first place. The following are the different preventive measures you can make. 

• Separate wood from soil because most termites live in the ground, and wooden materials prove to be a source of food to them. 
• Minimizing mulch and landscaping materials can help you keep termites at bay because these pests thrive in moist conditions.
• Place any items that hold moisture at least one foot away from your house.
• If you have firewood stacks, place them at least two feet away from your home as they are magnets for these pests. 
• Try to eliminate moisture issues inside your basements and crawl spaces. 

The Bottom Line

Fort Lauderdale is known for its beautiful beaches, like Deerfield beach and other vacation spots. However, its damp and warm conditions prove to be the ideal place for all kinds of pests. That’s why more residents face issues with termites, costing them thousands of dollars. Save your beautiful home and your pocket with Fort Lauderdale pest control services to help eliminate your problems with these pests.