As a local pest control company serving Florida for nearly 45 years, termite damage is one of the most common pest problems we come across. Homeowners call us about termite activity in one small area and upon a complete termite inspection, it turns out there’s a full-grown colony feeding beneath the home’s foundation. We’ve seen the devastation termites can cause, and we’ve also seen the peace of mind that comes with proper protection. Here’s what we’ve learned: in Florida’s subtropical climate, termite control and termite inspection aren’t optional – they’re essential!
Why Florida is Termite Land
Florida’s warm temperatures & high humidity create the perfect storm for termite activity. Unlike northern states, where termites go dormant in winter, our termites remain active 365 days a year. We’re dealing with approximately 20 termite species in the Sunshine State, including six invasive species that have made Florida their home.
The most destructive species we encounter regularly include:
Subterranean Termites
Subterranean termites build massive underground colonies and construct mud tubes to access your home’s wooden structures from the ground up.
Formosan Termites
Formosan termites are one of the most aggressive species, with colonies numbering in the millions. We’ve witnessed these termites cause catastrophic damage in just a few years.
Asian Subterranean Termites
Asian Subterranean Termites are a fast-growing threat in South Florida; they thrive in our warm, wet conditions. (Asian termites or Formosan termites – which one do you think is the most destructive one for Florida homes?)
Drywood Termites
Drywood termites live completely inside the wood they eat. They infest attics, furniture, and framing, leaving behind dry pellets called frass — all without ever touching soil.
Recently, researchers at the University of Florida confirmed something alarming – hybrid termites are now spreading across the state, combining traits from Asian and Formosan species. These hybrids may survive in areas their parent species couldn’t, potentially expanding termite threats to previously safe regions.
The Real Cost of Termite Damage
The numbers tell a sobering story. Termites cause an estimated $6.8 billion in damage and treatment costs annually across the United States. For individual homeowners, the average repair bill exceeds $8,000 – and that’s just for repairs, not including treatment costs.
We recently inspected a beautiful Coral Springs home where the owners noticed some “minor” wood damage near their garage. What we discovered was extensive termite tunneling throughout the support beams – damage that had been accumulating silently for over seven years. The repair cost was nearly $15,000. And the heartbreaking part is – a routine termite inspection would have caught it years earlier!
Termite Control in Florida
Pest control companies in Florida always – and we mean all year, across every season- recommend getting a termite inspection even if you only have a small doubt. That little suspicion often turns out to be an early activity that’s easy to control before damage spreads. What might be a few bucks now for a termite inspection can save you thousands in structural repairs later.
Termite Control in Florida|Complete Termite Inspection
Our comprehensive termite inspections include complete checking of your home, inside & outside – depending on your property size. Here’s exactly what we examine:
Exterior Assessment
We circle your entire property, examining side seams, eaves, foundation walls and soil lines for mud tubes, blistered paint, or soft spots in wood.
Foundation Inspection
Foundations receive extra study. We probe cracks, check foam board insulation and examine all plumbing entries for hidden termite galleries.
Interior Evaluation
Inside your home, we inspect baseboards, windowsills, door casings, and walls. We tap surfaces listening for the hollow sound that indicates termite damage and look for pinhole-sized exit holes.
Attic and Crawl Space Examination
These overlooked spaces are termite havens. We crawl into every accessible area, examining beams and wooden structures with specialized lighting.
Moisture Detection
Using the most reliable moisture meters, we identify damp zones (termites’ favorite environments), behind walls and under floors.
Sentricon System: Why We Trust It for Termite Control in Florida
After trying virtually every termite treatment method available, we’ve made the Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System our primary recommendation. Here’s why.
Traditional liquid barrier treatments create a chemical perimeter around your home and kills termites that attempt to cross. The problem is that they only eliminate the active termites who happen to encounter the barrier – not the entire colony. The queen continues producing thousands of new termites, and over time, the chemical barrier degrades, leaving your home vulnerable again.
Sentricon Works Differently & More Effectively
The system uses strategically placed bait stations every 10 feet around your property’s perimeter. These stations contain a highly attractive bait treated with noviflumuron, an insect growth regulator that prevents termites from molting. Here’s the brilliant part: termites are blind and forage in predictable radial and branching patterns. When they encounter a Sentricon station that they find more appealing than wood, they consume the bait and carry it back to the colony. The active ingredient spreads throughout the colony, eventually reaching and eliminating the queen. No queen means no colony and hence the removal of all termites in and outside of the home. Sentricon system is completely safe for families and pets and yet hard on termites growing and breeding on your home’s foundation.
Complete Termite Inspection – Sentricon Bait Stations
Last year, we installed Sentricon at a Tampa property where the homeowner had spotted winged termites during spring. Our inspection revealed active subterranean termite tunneling in the garage. After few months of Sentricon installation, termite activity reduced to a noticeable difference. The bait stations showed heavy feeding initially, then nothing – indicating complete colony elimination.
Another memorable case involved an Orlando home with drywood termites in the attic framing. While drywood termites require fumigation (tenting), we combined targeted treatment with Sentricon protection for the subterranean termites we also discovered. Two years later, the home remains termite-safe!
Why Sentricon System Is Top Choice for Termite Control in Florida
As a local and licensed pest control company operating in Florida, the Sentricon System has been our go-to solution against termite damage. The Sentricon System, combined with regular professional termite inspections, offers one of the most comprehensive termite defenses available. Here’s what makes the Sentricon System a reliable method for eliminating termites:
1. Colony Elimination
Unlike barriers Sentricon destroys the entire colony, including the queen
2. Continuous Protection
Once installed, stations work 24/7 to monitor and protect
3. Environmentally Responsible
No hundreds of gallons of chemicals pumped into your soil
4. Family and Pet Safe
Minimal chemical exposure compared to traditional treatments
5. Early Detection
Often identifies colonies before visible damage appears in your home.
Schedule Termite Inspection Before Damage Appears
After 45 years of protecting Florida homes from termite damage, we’ve seen it from minor infestations caught early to devastating structural damage that costs homeowners tens of thousands of dollars. The most expensive termite cases we handle share one common factor: the homeowners waited too long. By the time you see mud tubes, discarded wings or hollow-sounding wood, termites have likely been feeding for months or years.
In Florida’s all year’s long termite climate, annual inspections aren’t just recommended – they’re critical. Whether you’re buying a home, selling a property, or simply protecting your investment, professional pest inspection and protection should be at the top of your priority list.
Dave’s Pest Control – Trusted Termite Protection & Inspection
Don’t let termites make your home their next meal. Contact us today for a complete termite inspection and learn how Sentricon can protect your most valuable investment.
