We all know that summertime in Florida brings with it the dangers of tropical storms. Unfortunately, summer 2021 is expected to be yet another above-normal hurricane season. As if worrying about hurricanes wasn’t bad enough, termites are in full swing this time of year as well. This begs the question: are termite-infested homes more susceptible to storm damage? Do hurricanes encourage termite activity?

The termite control experts at Heron Home & Outdoor are here to explore the outcomes and dangers of Florida hurricane season and termites—read on to learn more!

The Dangers of Termites During Hurricane Season

Subterranean termites and Formosan termites are infamous for infesting damp wood that is typically in contact with soil. A stormy summer, then, can encourage termite activity even more. The main dangers of termites during hurricane season are as follows:

• Storms will put more wood in contact with wet surfaces and soil, even to the point of causing water damage in a property. Water damage in wood above ground can bring subterranean termites up out of their nests and into higher levels of a building.
• Termites weaken wood not only in buildings but in trees as well. This puts structures at an even higher risk of damage during a storm or hurricane. Trees weakened by termites will be more likely to fall during a storm, and homes weakened by termites won’t have quite the stronghold they need to withstand high winds and water.

Do Termites Go Away After a Storm?

Just like any other animal or insect, a hurricane or storm can displace termites. In the case there is serious flooding from a hurricane, it is likely that subterranean termites will drown. In fact, research conducted in 1995 by entomologists at the University of Georgia at Athens found that inundation, or flooding, was the single-greatest natural factor that led to mortality of subterranean termite populations. Before you get your hopes up, this usually will not kill off an entire colony. While there may be a decrease in termite populations immediately after flooding or storms, they will come back quickly—especially with the abundance of moistened, damaged wood at their disposal post-storm.

Termites During Florida Storm Season

Termites are a threat any time of year in Florida, but they can be especially dangerous during the summertime when storms are the norm. For this reason, it’s crucial to team up with a professional pest control expert who can ensure your home is protected from termites and more ready to withstand hurricane season. At Heron Home & Outdoor, we offer termite treatments and monitoring that helps keep termites away from your property all year round. Contact us today to get started!