Look around the house for signs of termite infestation

Take a look around the house for signs of termite infestation

Summer is here and its hot, humid weather creates the perfect conditions for termites to invade your home.

The most common types of termites in Florida are the Eastern subterranean termite and the Formosan subterranean termite. Both need moisture to survive, are highly destructive to building timbers and swarm in late spring and summer. The Formosan is a native of China and lives mostly in coastal areas of Florida and a few other Southern states. These tiny pests usually nest in the ground and build tunnels within a 100-foot radius to retrieve wood for food. If your house is close to any such nest, you may be under a silent and invisible attack.

Most organizations suggest getting a professional inspection once a year and hiring a professional for any treatment. But if you just want to do a quick check around your house, there are some signs you can search for to confirm a fear of infestation.

Look for holes or mud-looking material on wood surfaces. Termites eat the interior of the wood and occasionally create a visible hole in the exterior. They will usually try to patch the hole with mud and their own feces, creating those mud-looking dots on your wood. Wings are also a sign of infestation. If termites have been in your house, after swarming, piles of wings are a sure sign of their presence.

Check moist, dark areas in and around your home. Termites need an environment with both moisture and food, so check crawl spaces, attics, basements, anywhere you can see plumbing and pipes, cabinets, and any place where you can see the foundation.

If you find an infestation, don't disturb it. If a termite's nest is treated without killing all of the pests they will relocate and become difficult to find again. Annual checkups are highly recommended, and immediate professional treatment of a known infestation is also smart.

Hopefully you just need to take precautionary measures this season. Eliminating moisture and access to wood is a simple preventative measure. Clean gutters and make sure they drain away from your foundation. Move sprinklers so the spray is a couple of feet from your house. Get rid of any wood debris around your home such as firewood, old stumps, newspapers, magazines and cardboard boxes.

Use outdoor woods that are termite-resistant such as redwood, juniper and cedar; these woods aren't termite-proof but they are a less attractive food source for them. You should also make sure that any wood connected to your home is at least a foot-and-a-half above ground. Decks, wood stairs and lattice work are sometimes added by homeowners but they are a risk to attract termites.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Bureau of Entomology and Pest Control licenses all pest control businesses in the state. It suggests getting inspections and written estimates from at least two or more licensed companies. Compare the proposals and contract terms, and sketches or diagrams indicating the location of infestations. Check a company's license or complaint history by calling (850) 921-4177 or visit www.FloridaTermiteHelp.org for more helpful information.