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When Do Drywood Termites Swarm in Florida?

The late spring and summer months are when swarms of winged drywood termites are most common. The subterranean termite swarming season in Florida starts in early March and lasts until the end of the month. Massive swarms of various termite species plague Florida's summers because the state is home to more termite species than any other in the US. But this isn't the only time of year you might see termites; we get reports of them swarming at all times of the year.

Since most of Florida, including South Florida, is warm and humid year-round, it can be challenging to identify the termite season. Since there is currently no evidence to explain why termites decided to swarm homes during these times, it is critical to take preventative measures against termites of all kinds as soon as possible.

Knowing how to eradicate drywood termites is essential after learning about their swarming behavior. Read our comprehensive guide to find out more about efficient ways to prevent drywood termites.

How to Get Rid of Drywood Termites

Generally speaking, there are two ways to get rid of drywood termites:

Tent Liquid Treatments

Termiticide injections into infested wood or topical wood treatments can be used to eradicate termites. Drywood termites can be effectively eradicated with these methods.

Topical Wood Treatments

The primary ingredient in most wood treatments is boric acid. A wood's suitability for termite-killing chemicals depends on whether it is wet, painted, sealed, or stained.

Select a treatment that goes deep into the wood if you are dealing with an active termite infestation. This will guarantee that when they eat it, they will be killed. Examples of such products that can pierce wood up to 4 inches deep are Borathor and Boracare.

To apply these products efficiently, mix them according to the instructions and use a high-pressure tank to spray the wood. Treat the wood completely by covering as much of its surface as you can.

Don't forget to use a breathing mask, safety glasses, and nitrile gloves for protection.

When using boric acid products that are intended only for wood surfaces, exercise caution. While these products can stop drywood termites from spreading, they are unable to solve an already-existing infestation.

One major advantage of treating wood with boric acid products is that the wood is protected for the life of the treatment. Drywood termite infestations in houses and other structures can be avoided for years or even decades with this defense. Boric acid applied correctly can effectively render a structure termite-resistant.

Termiticide Injections

Using this method, termiticides are sprayed inside the wood to enter the termite tunnels—also referred to as "galleries"—that the termites have constructed. The term "contact insecticides" refers to the substances that kill insects when they come into contact with them.

One common treatment for termite galleries is to inject pressure foam into the tiny hole where the termites discharge their pellets. The "kick out hole" is the name given to this opening.

Typically, the treatments are packaged in a foam can with a rubber plunger and tube. This aids in keeping the foam contained while using it. The foam then contacts the termites by passing through the tunnels and voids in the wood. Because it immediately targets the live termites, this strategy is highly effective.

Fipronil, which is the most effective, and imidacloprid are the primary ingredients of these foam termite killers. Fipronil's potent but slow-acting properties make it effective. Similar to a contagious disease, termites can spread it to other termites if they come into contact with it but do not immediately die.

For best results, it is advised to use both termiticide injections and topical wood treatments.

Tent Fumigations

A common sight during fumigation is the colorful, striped tarps placed over homes and other structures. This process is exclusive to a licensed pest control company. This process entails enclosing the infested structure with an extremely hazardous sulfuryl fluoride gas.

The most effective way to get rid of drywood termites is definitely with tent fumigations, even though they aren't always possible. This is because different termite colonies can live in a single house or building, which is a result of their behavior and nature. Each piece of wood might be able to support a colony of its own.

Therefore, applying liquid termiticides to hidden or inaccessible wood can be difficult or impossible. Eliminating all drywood termite colonies can be achieved very successfully by tenting or "fumigating" the entire building.

Fumigations aren't always feasible, but they can be more successful than liquid treatments at getting rid of drywood termites. This is a result of the connections between certain types of buildings, such as apartments, townhomes, and condos. Fumigation cannot be applied to the entire building if all of the occupants refuse to leave.

The procedure may also harm fences, roofs, pool screens, landscaping, and other things. If fumigation is a good option for your house or building, only a professional pest control company like InnoTech Pest Management can make that determination.

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