Description: Subterranean Termites are the most destructive and frequently encountered termite in the state of Florida. There are three types of Subterranean's within each colony: workers, soldiers and reproductive's. The workers are approximately 1/8" in length, are wingless and white to beige in color. The soldiers are slightly larger, are wingless, white to beige in color but have large brown heads and chewing jaws. The winged reproductive's are roughly ½" and are responsible for enlarging the colony through mating.

Seasonality: Year-round with swarming season (mating season) in the Spring.

Attractions: Subterranean termites live and feed in the soil which provides the moisture they require, but they also nest in wood that is wet. They feed on wood or other items that contain cellulose, such as paper, fiberboard, and some fabrics derived from cotton or plant fibers. They are also attracted to light.

They're here! Subterranean Termites live underground and multiply the thousands. They come above ground for food (wood) and may be detected by the presence of mud tubes, which they build to move around in. Termite wings break off shortly after their flight, and even though the actual swarming is not observed, the presence of discarded wings indicate that a colony is nearby. Because termites are attracted to light, their broken-off wings are often found in piles near doors or windows.

Damage: Subterranean termites can attack structures by building tubes that connect their nest to wood in structures. Aerial nests can occur without a ground connection if all castes of the colony are present and moisture is available. Their damage to wood includes tunneling damage and elimination of wood structure and form by their eating from it. These termites can literally eat you out of house and home.

Description: Drywood Termites are small, approximately 3/8" and similar to the Subterranean species, have distinctive types within the colony. However, unlike the Subterranean, the workers, soldiers and winged reproductive's are not as easily distinguishable.

Seasonality: Year-round. Swarm during mating season which begins in the spring.

Attractions: Normally found in humid, coastal areas. Drywood Termites nest and feed in dried out wood where they remain until swarming to create another colony. Attics, eves, windowsills, baseboards, beams and doorways are some of their favorite nesting places. On the exterior of the home any wood that can be bored into is a potential target. These pests also attack furniture, paper, wallboard or any other cellulose material.

They're here! The most common sign of an infestation is a pile of frass (fecal pellets which look like tiny pieces of wood). This is often described as and mistaken for "a pile of sawdust". You may also see a piles of wings near the nesting site as this pest loses its wings shortly after take off.

Damage: Drywood Termites are slow eaters but will eat through wood until there is virtually nothing but a thin wall left, which serves as a barrier between them and the outside environment. They build extensive "cities" within the wood creating mud tunnels, mounds and tubes which allow them to move about safely. Similar to its cousin, the Subterranean, this pest will literarily eat you out of house and home.

Approximately $1.1 BILLION dollars a year is lost due to termite damage across the United States.

Homeowners Insurance does not cover termite damage, or treatment.

When challenged by an intruder, a termite will use their enormous muscles to aggressively smash the bits of its mouth together. In fact, these muscles are so massive that they take up half the space in the termite's head. All of this power and force lets the termite rapidly snap at the intruder. Also, the termite's teeth work like a saw, biting with razor-like strength, which is propelled by those strong muscles.

"Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson is urging Florida homeowners and home buyers to take steps to protect their homes as termite swarming season gets under way. Termites are responsible for more than $700,000,000 in costs to consumers in Florida each year for damage and control. "In Florida, it isn't a question of whether there are termites in an area, but how close they are to your home," Bronson said. "It's astounding that about half of the homeowners in this state have no termite protection. People need to take steps to protect what will likely be the biggest investment they will ever make -- their homes"

Read full press release at http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/press/2006/02092006.html

On the surface, flying ants and termites look alike. But flying ants are just a nuisance whereas termites? They're a demolition crew. Have a closer look to determine if you're observing a flying ant or a termite. Better yet, let the professionals at Nozzle Nolen do it.fortunately, they've got a demolition crew of their own.

If you live in Florida, the question is not "if you'll get termites" but "when you'll get termites". The answer depends on how close the termites are to your home. Florida presents both the moisture and the humidity that termites favor and they are present everywhere in our ecosystem.