Termite Swarm Season in Florida

Termite season strikes residents in the Tampa Bay Florida area typically during the months of January through May.

Termite swarms not to be confused with flying ants have a different wings than their cousin the ant.
While both species have four wings, the termite wings are all the same size and the ant wings have noticeably larger wings in the front as compared to the hind pair. Ant reproductive (swarmers) have two pairs of wings.Often ants have a black dot near the tip of the front wings, and dark wing veins can be seen. You can’t see termite wing veins with the naked eye.

• Ant wings do not break off easily. Termite wings break off easily, with just a touch. You may see the broken wings from the swarming termites in a area they have been crawling.
• Termites have an almost straight antennae, the ants antennae are elbowed.
• Termite wings are twice as long as the body.
• Ants appear distinctly segmented, because of their thin-waisted appearance. Termites have a broad-waisted appearance.Termite waists are not narrow.Termite bodies are straight-sided with no constriction.

As you can see in the image to the right the ant has elbowed antennae, where as the termites antennae are strait.

When the termites receive the proper cues such as (warm temperatures, bright sunlight, low winds, for example) they will leave the colony and fly away to start their own colonies.

There are three major groups of termites which occur in Florida: dry wood, subterranean and Formosan termites have been found in Tampa. Termites can be identified by the appearance of the swarmers, their damage, and the droppings they leave behind.
The two most common types of termites are “drywood” and “ground,” or subterranean termites. Subterranean termites cause about 95% of the termite-related damage found in the Tampa Bay area. Both types of termites eat cellulose for nutrition. Cellulose is found in wood and wood products.

If you suspect a termite infestation you can catch some and put them in a container and bring them by our office located at
802 West Waters Avenue, Tampa, FL
or call: (813) 936-5850 or 1-800-410-5850 for a Free estimate.

Service Areas:

Hillsborough County: All including Tampa, Town-N-Country, Templ Terrace, Brandon, Wesly Chapal, Riverview, Gibsonton, Progress Village, Valrico
Pinellas County: All including St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park, Seminole, Largo, Clearwater, Palm Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Trinity
Pasco County: All including Holiday, Lutz, Trinity, New Port Richey, Land-O-Lakes, Cheval
Alos Polk, Manatee, Hernando and Sarasota Counties

Getting Rid Of Fire Ants In Florida

At Tri-S Pest Control Service Tampa, we understand that Fire Ants are not welcome on your lawn or in your home. If you’re wondering how to get rid of Florida fire ants, we have the solution. We offer a yearly fire ant control program where we perform a granular application throughout your lawn and flowerbeds. Our staff uses Top Choice, the leading fire ant product on the market today.

Fire ants are often found nesting in soil, as well as river banks, pond edges, and highway edges. In Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg and other parts of Florida, fire ants are commonly found in watered lawns. Recently, the population of fire ants has greatly increased.

Many people in Florida have felt these horrible, painful stings inflicted by fire ants. Although tiny in size, these fierce insects tend to swarm on unsuspecting people. They also pack a powerful punch with their sting, which injects toxic alkaloid venom into a human, causing them to experience the sensation of being burned by fire, hence the name fire ants.

Top Choice Pest Control:

• Is a slow acting insecticide, which means it doesn’t have an immediate effect, but lasts longer
• Uses an ant’s social life to do its work since the ants themselves work to spread the insecticide they’ve touched with ants from their colony
• Kills fire ants as well as fleas, ticks, and mole crickets
• Controls fire ants for up to one year

Although small, these ants can be a menace, inflict painful stings, and possibly even kill a human if they’re severely sensitive to their venom.

Contact our Tampa pest control specialists today in Tampa call: (813)936-5850 or 1-800-410-5850 for a free estimate, whether you’re in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Lakeland, Florida. We offer simply superior service, guaranteed!