I wanted to take a moment and speak to buyer, sellers, and homeowners in general about a subject that makes us cringe…no, not our 401k’s….

…termites. Yes, those creatures that are almost invisible until you find out you have them, and then you think you see them anywhere. Let’s start with some basics…

There are 3 kinds of termites specific to our area:

Subterranean (aka Formosa)
Drywood
Dampwood

For our purposes, we’ll stick to subs and drywoods because they are most relevant to property owners (and those soon to be).

Subterraneans are the most aggressive form of termites in that they can demolish a home in months, thanks in large part to their voracious appetites and large colonies. Subs attack a home from the ground – foundation cracks, wall fissures, pipes, and untreated wood touching the ground are common avenues for subs. They have even been known to build “mud tubes” to protect them from the elements as they travel across non-wood materials.

Drywoods are a very common termite in Florida and if you were to have any infestation, you would want these guys. They come uninvited, eat very slowly, and sometimes move on to greener pastures (read: your neighbor’s home). Drywoods travel via flying…when they swarm Jan-May (depending on temp and rain), pairs travel to new areas to start colonies. With block homes, drywoods typically fly up into the eaves and will get in the attic, which is all wood.

That info is nice to know, but how does that help YOU??? Good question. The first thing I have learned is NOT to fear these little buggers (excuse the pun). Once you understand them and how they exist, they are more of a slightly expensive nuisance than anything else (caught early enough, that is).

The 2nd thing to know is that their presence does not signify the end of the world, or your transaction, for that matter. Real Estate contracts have Wood-Destroying Organism (WDO) clauses in them that provide for treatment should termites or wood decay be discovered. Educated Buyers and Sellers know that tenting your average 1500 – 2000 sf Florida ranch will run about $1000 - $1500, normally comes with a multiyear warranty, and can be done before a new buyer moves in. Buyers of SFH should always get a termite inspection – they cost $50 - $75 and can be done concurrent with a regular home inspection. Please know that Florida law has changed with respect to inspectors – inspection reports are considered valid for that day ONLY, as termites can appear as the inspector pulls away in his car.

3rd, ALL homeowners and homebuyers need to know what to look for when viewing a home, in addition to having an inspection completed. Mud tubes on the exterior, “galleries” of eaten-through wood, mustard-colored round pellets (drywood), wings, and debris around windows and doors are all indication of current or past termite infestation. One of the biggest problems with termites is that they eat wood JUST BELOW the surface, sometimes keeping the problem hidden for months and years.