Everything Southwest Florida homeowners need to know about termites — the two types, how to spot them, how they are treated, and what it costs.
Quick answer: Florida has two main termite types — subterranean (soil-based, the most common and damaging) and drywood (living inside the wood). Subterranean termites are treated with a liquid barrier or Sentricon bait system; widespread drywood infestations may need tent fumigation. Annual inspections catch them early and cheaply.
| Subterranean | Drywood | |
|---|---|---|
| Lives in | Soil, travels to wood | Inside the wood itself |
| Telltale sign | Mud tubes | Frass (pellets) |
| Treatment | Liquid barrier / Sentricon bait | Localized or tent fumigation |
| Prevalence in SW FL | Most common | Common in coastal/older wood |
Mud tubes, spring swarmers and discarded wings, frass, hollow-sounding wood, and sticking doors are the main red flags. See our full breakdown in Signs of Termites in Your Florida Home.
Liquid barrier: a treated zone in the soil around the home that stops subterranean termites. Sentricon bait: in-ground stations that eliminate the colony and provide ongoing monitoring. Tent fumigation: whole-structure gas treatment for widespread drywood termites. We inspect first and recommend the right method — see termite control.
Liquid treatments run about $700–$2,200; Sentricon $1,500–$3,500 plus annual monitoring; tent fumigation $1–$4 per square foot ($1,000–$3,000+). Full breakdown in Termite Tenting Cost in Florida.
Buying or selling? Florida lenders usually require a WDO inspection (Form 13645). See Do You Need a WDO Inspection to Buy a House in Florida?
Keep mulch and wood away from the foundation, fix moisture and leaks, and get an annual inspection. A termite bond keeps coverage in place year-round.
Subterranean termites are the most common and damaging in Southwest Florida; drywood termites are also common in coastal and older wood structures.
At least once a year. Florida pressure is year-round, and annual inspections catch problems while they are cheap to treat.
Roughly $700–$2,200 for liquid, $1,500–$3,500 for Sentricon, or $1–$4 per sq ft for tenting, depending on the type and severity.
Super Pest Guard is FDACS-licensed and serves Naples and 40+ SW Florida communities with same-week service.
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