Eliminate one of the many stresses of home ownership and call on the professionals at Fort Myers Pest Control to mitigate the threat and prevent the damage caused by termites.
Utilizing the most current technology to prevent and control termites, trust the team at Fort Myers Pest Control to create a termite treatment plan tailored to your home and/or business’ termite control needs.
Have you asked, “I’m looking for a termite treatment, exterminator, or inspection near me.” Fort Myers Pest Control specializes in the treatment of both drywood and subterranean termites.
Inspecting for termites in your home should be done by a qualified professional. There are several signs to look for:
Hollow sounding wood when tapped – termites tend to eat out to the surface of the paint.
We recommend that you have your home inspected at least every other year. Due to their ‘cryptic nature’, they are often called “the hidden enemy”.
Don’t be fooled as they are very common to Southwest Florida and can remain undetected for years. It’s not worth the risk, or the cost. Contact us now for an inspection at 239.543.3100
Inspection
A state-certified pest control technician will arrive at your home or business and carefully examine areas inside and outside the structure to locate colonies and assess the damage.
Consultation
Technicians will discuss their findings with you to create a custom termite-control plan that will eliminate termites on your property with your schedule and budget in mind.
Treatment
State law requires you to sign an agreement PRIOR to beginning treatment for termites (except in pre-construction treatment). It is very important you read and understand the agreement.
Treatment for Dry-wood termites consists of spot treatments (liquid, foam, dust) or treating your entire home by tent fumigation
Treatment for Formosan termites consists of traditional types of service (foam or liquid) which means drilling into your home and trenching around the outside perimeter OR one of several types of bait-type services (we utilize the Sentricon© System with Always Active© Technology).
Maintenance and Prevention
Post-treatment, we recommend that you schedule periodic inspections to ensure termite colonies have not returned to your home and more importantly, ensure that there is no structural damage.
ID Card: Issued by Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
State law requires us to have our state ID card with us at all times while working.
Anyone working in the area of termite inspection or treatment should be state certified in the category of Wood Destroying Organisms(WDO) OR their ID should be stamped “WDO Inspector”.
It is perfectly acceptable for you to ask to see these credentials to guarantee the technician/sales person has had the additional training in termite inspection, biology, control, and treatment, which is required by the State of Florida.
If your home is inspected for Wood destroying Organisms for the purposes of a real estate transaction, or a fee is charged for the inspection, it is a requirement that you receive a written report on a state mandated form. This is different from annual warranty service inspections.
These inspections are based upon what is “visible and evident” at time of inspection only. Since termites may live deep inside the wood, behind wall coverings, or under insulation in an attic, we can only see a portion of your home. When we say “I don’t see anything today” it means just that. There is no visible evidence today.
Bugs aren’t the only enemy to greener grass. Weeds compete for food, water and real estate, choking out healthy grass and marring your view. With Fort Myers Pest Control Weed Management, your grass will be able to thrive and you’ll enjoy a weed-free lawn.
We have more than 20 species of termites in the winter paradise of Florida. In our specific area, the structure damaging termites can be grouped into two basic groups – subterranean termites and drywood termites. Subterranean termites live PRIMARILY in the soil below the surface while drywood termites live right in the wood.
These pests live inside wood and do not require contact with soil. Due to their relatively small colony size (10,000 to 15,000), drywood termites take time to cause excessive damage, but will do so if left untreated.
Do I have them?
Evidence of these might include:
Shed wings around windows.
Fecal pellets which may, at a glance, look like dry coffee grounds (sometimes people call them “saw dust” or “wood shavings”.
Surface damage to wood trim members that can sometimes give the appearance of a “blistered look” on the surface (as if the wood was wet when it was painted).
Galleries look like small “pocket holes” in the wood without the presence of mud/dirt.
Live termites flying around the TV, lights, or windows typically around supper time.
Treatment for Drywood Termites:
While there are many treatment options available, only a couple of them are commonly used. One is a “drill and inject” type of spot treatment and the other is “tent fumigation”. Tent fumigation is the ONLY WAY TO TREAT THE ENTIRE HOME to include all areas of the house, including, those that we cannot physically get to such as the space between your rood decking and shingles. All other types of treatment are considered to be ‘spot treatments’.
Drywood Termite Tip:
Be careful what you bring into your home in terms of wood items as drywood termites are extremely good “hitch-hikers” and, once inside your home, can easily spread over time into your walls.
These exist below the ground, hence their name (sub=below, terranean=ground). It is estimated that 3-6 colonies exist in an average acre of ground in Florida. Each colony can forage up to about 300 feet from the main colony. This means each colony is capable of covering an area of approximately 1.5 acres, making it safe to say that most buildings reside on a termite colony in Florida.
Subterranean Facts
Most common type of termite in the Country.
Only state without them is Alaska.
They travel between food sources via “highways” produced by mud tubing or trails.
Tubes are used for protection and shelter, and are made from feces, saliva, and soil.
Damage from subterranean termites can happen quite quickly depending upon the exact species. This is due to their relatively large colonies (as compared with drywood termites). A mature colony of “native” subterranean termites can number up to 1,000,000 workers while a mature “formosan” subterranean termite colony can number close to 10,000,000 workers. Because their numbers are much higher, the damage is much faster.
Do I have them?
Damage in wood runs along with the grain of the wood, leaving a “layered” look.
The damaged area is “dirty” or “muddy”.
Travel tubes or trails may be visible/present.
Surface damage is similar in appearance to that of drywood termites.
There is no fecal pellet present because they use their feces in the construction of their tubes.
Live termites flying around the inside of the home, typically around lunch time (10 am to 2 pm).
Shed wings present around doors or windows all of which appear to be similar in shape and size.
Treatment for Subterranean Termites:
There are really only two types of treatment for subterranean termites: liquid or bait system. At FMPC, we use the 5th generation of the original bait system.
Subterranean Termite Prevention Tips:
Prevention for subterranean termites is certainly possible and we recommend it. Here are some things you can do to help yourself out:
Remove any cellulose debris from contact with soil around or under your home.
Avoid storing wood items or debris beside your home.
Porch steps, decks, and other wooden add-ons should not rest on the ground.
Identify and correct plumbing and roof leaks as soon as possible.
Have your air conditioning professional extend the condensate line so it drains away from your home.
Don’t wait until the termites come over for dinner. Have your home treated and maintain our annual warranty.
Sentricon gets to the queen, using top of the line bait stations to eliminate her and the colony.
Sentricon has superior efficiency.
It is undetectable to the termites, which is what leads to elimination of the colony.
Termites can’t resist the Sentricon. Studies show that they would prefer to eat our bait than wood.
Sentricon is only available through certified specialists. It’s only offered by 3% of pest control operators in the United States.
This program treats and prevents the most common threats to your household including ants, roaches, silverfish and earwigs.
Some common targets for our Specialty Pest Management program include spiders, fleas and ticks, bed bugs, rodents and bees.
Give your grass everything it needs to grow strong and healthy and stamp out weeds for the most beautiful lawn on the block!
Utilizing the most current technology to prevent and control termites, we mitigate the threat and prevent the damage caused.
Reduce the size of the mosquito population on your property and lower the chances of painful bites.
We monitor for bed bugs and reduce the impact of this common pest on your property through early intervention.
A family company established in 1966, Fort Myers Pest Control has been locally owned and operated for three generations. Our longevity and reputation in the community speak volumes about the quality of service we provide, and we’ve also been named “Best in Southwest Florida” and “Best in North Fort Myers” by The News-Press. We’d love for you to ask a friend or neighbor about us.
Our business has grown largely by word-of-mouth so chances are someone you know has great things to say about Fort Myers Pest Control’s integrity and customer-friendly business practices.
We have proudly served Southwest Florida residents for over 5 decades providing top-rated, quality pest control, and maintenance services in Fort Myers and the surrounding areas. As a locally-owned business, we truly care about using effective and efficient products to keep our neighbors protected.
Established in 1966 by George and Doris Smith, Fort Myers Pest Control has been locally owned and operated for two generations. Experience and commitment to innovation are standards throughout the industry, but it’s Fort Myers Pest Control’s deep roots in the community, the pride of ownership, and local decision-making that account for the outstanding reputation the company has earned over the past 50 years.
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