Signs Of Subterranean Termites Wesley Chapel Homeowners Need To Know

At Chet’s Termite & Pest Management we are experts at finding pests that are naturally very hard to locate. One of the biggest pest problems in Florida, including in Wesley Chapel and surrounding areas, is subterranean termites.

There are several different types of termites, but the subterranean variety is the most common in this area. They are considered cryptobiotic pests because they are always hidden and rarely ever seen on the surface throughout their entire life cycle.

Invasion of your Home

The subterranean termites live their life below the surface of the soil, in mud tunnels they construct, or in wood. The wood can be logs or branches that have fallen on the ground or it can be wood used in home and building construction. This is often the way they enter the home. They move from the soil into the wood out of sight.

They can also swarm when forming a new colony and invade a home through open windows or doors. Different species will swarm from the spring through the fall, but it typically occurs after rain. There can be thousands of tiny alates (winged, mature termites) that form these new colonies, typically not far from the original colony.

Signs To Look For

The signs of subterranean termites, other than the swarms and the shed wings after the swarm will include:

  • Mud tubes – this protects the paths the termites use. They are most commonly found running up the external walls of the home or inside of crawl spaces.
  • Honeycomb wood – when termites are present for long periods of time they consume wood, leaving honeycombed patterns. The wood will have a hollow sound rather than a solid sound when tapped.
  • Termite droppings – termite droppings are called frass. It looks like small piles of brown to gray sawdust around wood areas of walls inside the home.

If you have any signs of termites, or if you haven’t had your home inspected, get in touch with our staff at Chet’s Termite & Pest Management. We can complete a free 57-point inspection that will identify termites and any other pests that are present. Give us a call today at 813-935-7554 to get started.