If you are wondering if termites are getting worse in Broward County, you are not alone. They are certainly getting worse and people have started to notice.
Environmental data reports are showing that Broward County’s aging housing stock, warm climate, and continuous development have all aided these pests, allowing infestations to grow larger than usual. Not only do bigger populations become more difficult to control, but the damage they cause is much more severe.
The best way to prevent a termite infestation is to learn to spot the early warning signs.
Key Takeaways
- Broward County is home to several invasive termite species and their numbers are quickly growing.
- As housing stock continues to age, the risks of even faster termite spread keep rising.
- The best way to protect yourself from termite damage is to be vigilant. Schedule annual or quarterly inspections to catch infestations as early as possible.
→ Schedule your Broward County termite inspection today.
Why Termite Problems Are Getting Worse in Broward County
Termite infestations are getting worse in Broward County for several reasons. One of the main ones is that weather patterns are changing, but it’s also due to strong invasive species, aging housing stock, urban development, and densely packed residential areas.
Longer, Wetter Seasons Are Increasing Termite Activity
In recent years, climate patterns in Broward County have shifted significantly.
One of those changes is warmer winters. In previous decades, frequent cold snaps and cooler average temperatures during winter would slow termite breeding down, but now they expand throughout the year, creating very large colonies.
Broward is also seeing more rain these days, keeping soil wetter for longer. Subterranean termite species benefit from the softer soil, as it helps them expand their colonies and reach new structures more easily.
An increase in storm activity is another thing making termite infestations worse in the area. The constant cycling between heavy rains and warm weather triggers colonies to swarm more often. This leads to a higher number of breeding events throughout the year and more colonies getting created.
Formosan and Asian Termites Are Expanding Faster Across Broward
Invasive species are becoming a much more common sight in Broward County compared to recent years. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences reports that Formosan termite populations in Broward have become larger every year for several years.
As species like Formosan and Asian termites continue to spread and create massive colonies (some with millions of termites), structural damage happens very quickly. With such dense housing development projects and transportation corridors along the coast, these termites are moving northward at alarming speed.
Aging Homes Are Easy Targets for Termites
As Broward’s housing stock ages, and as the county becomes more densely populated, termites now have a much easier time spreading into new structures. For example, many of the homes in Broward are pushing past the 50-year mark, which makes them prime targets for termites. As soil barriers degrade and wood components begin to break down, termites can now find vulnerabilities that didn’t exist before.
Another issue that comes with ageing structures is that renovations are often needed. Many people in Broward make changes to older homes without properly treating the newly exposed wood. This leaves the house exposed to risk, and helps termites spread, especially when it happens in densely packed neighborhoods.
→ If your home was built before 2000, schedule at least one termite inspection per year.
Early Warning Signs of Termite Activity
Since termites are becoming such a big problem in Broward County, it is crucial to learn how to spot the early warning signs of termite activity. Catching an infestation early can help you limit the damage they cause and slow their spread into other areas.
Here are some of the things you can look out for.
Category | Signs | What It Means / Why It Matters |
Subtle Interior Damage | Hollow or papery-sounding wood | This happens as a result of the internal structures getting ‘hollowed out’ by termite feeding activity. |
Blistering or bubbling paint | As moisture builds up inside of the hollow areas, it begins to affect the paint on the surface. | |
Soft drywall or sagging floors | If you see this, you are dealing with an advanced infestation, and serious structural damage has already happened. | |
Entry Points & Foundation Signs | Mud tubes on foundation walls | Mud tubes are used by subterranean termites. They create the tubes to travel safely from place to place. |
Discarded wings near doors/windows | Swarming is a behavior that termites use to expand their colonies. After winged termites find mates (and new nesting locations), they lose their wings. | |
Drywood frass (sand-like pellets) | Termites leave piles of sawdust-like material near gallery openings. It is a clear sign of termite activity. | |
Hidden Colony Activity | Clicking sounds inside walls | Soldier termites make a clicking sound as a danger signal for the colony. The sound can be misidentified as structural settling. |
Tight or warped doors/windows | Moisture buildup inside of galleries can lead to structural warping, affecting the functionality of doors and windows. | |
Indoor flying insects (swarmers) | During a swarming event, termites can fly around inside the home. |
→ If you notice any of these signs, contact a Broward County termite specialist immediately.
Prevention Tips for Broward County Homes
If you detect any of the signs of termite activity, taking action as quickly as possible is the best thing you can do.
Improve Moisture Control and Drainage
One of the first things you should do is control the moisture in and around your home. Termites thrive in moist conditions, but by minimizing excess water and humidity, you make your home less attractive to certain species.
Besides installing a dehumidifier, checking for and repairing leaks in things like faucets, AC lines, and gutters is a great place to start. It’s also a good idea to use downspout extensions to move water away from the home. Best practice is to move water at least three feet away from the foundation. Keeping damp soil and mulch away from the foundation (at least 18 inches) can make it much more difficult for subterranean termites to reach your home.
Seal Structural Entry Points
You should also construct physical barriers to prevent termites from entering your home.
Termites find many different ways to get into a house, including damaged or exposed structural components, foundation cracks, gaps around plumbing, and utility openings. After finding all of the entry points, the next step is to seal them up to block access.
Each of the different entry points requires a different solution, so choosing the right one is crucial. Foundation cracks, plumbing gaps, and utility openings can often be caulked; rotten and exposed wood must be replaced with treated wood, and larger openings can be covered with a fine steel mesh.
It’s important to note that the effectiveness of these strategies depends on how well they are applied. In most cases, especially in places like Broward County, professional services are the best way to go.
Professional Termite Inspections and Extermination Services
In termite hotspots like Broward County, professional services should be used to protect homes and neighborhoods from large-scale, invasive termite infestations.
You can schedule annual or quarterly inspections to ensure that you catch infestations as early as possible. Experienced technicians use their local expertise and professional-grade tools like moisture meters, infrared cameras, and probing tools to identify early infestations and make sure there are no hidden colonies left behind. A pro inspection will tell you what kind of termites you have and the best treatment.
You might need baiting systems to monitor and eliminate colonies over time, soil barriers to block new subterranean termite colonies from reaching your home, or borate applications on exposed wooden structures to prevent future infestations.
One thing is for sure: a licensed pest control company like Nextgen Pest Solutions can quickly get rid of any termites in your home, but we’ll also be able to tell you where they came from and how to stop future infestations from happening.
→ Prevent costly damage and book a termite inspection before peak swarming season.
FAQs
How quickly can a small termite problem turn into a major infestation in Broward County?
It only takes a few months for a small colony to reach tens of thousands, and in Broward County, where Formosan termites are common, large infestations can cause serious structural damage in as few as six months.
Are certain neighborhoods or areas in Broward County more at risk than others?
Yes. Neighborhoods that are near the coast or a canal and neighborhoods with older housing stock are at higher risk.
Is termite damage covered by homeowners insurance in Florida?
Most insurance policies do not cover termite damage, because termite infestations are preventable. That is why regular inspections are so important.
