Florida Termites: Subterranean vs. Drywood—Know the Difference

Florida’s climate supports high termite activity. The two main culprits are subterranean termites (central Florida) and drywood termites (coastal areas). Understanding their habits helps you protect your home.

Subterranean Termites

Live in underground colonies; build mud tubes to reach wood. They follow scent trails to food sources—often your home’s structural timber.

Drywood Termites

Live entirely inside wood; no soil contact needed. They extract moisture from the wood they consume. Swarms often follow spring/summer rains.

Protection Strategies

• Pre‑treat wood during new construction.
• Fix leaks promptly; eliminate wood‑to‑ground contact.
• Store firewood away from the house.
• Trim vegetation away from the structure.

Professional Treatment Is Non‑Negotiable

Termite control requires specialized knowledge of species behavior, chemical selection, and application methods. A Brevard County termite specialist (like Slug‑A‑Bug) provides inspections, treatments, and ongoing monitoring contracts.