Formosan Termites in Florida are not your average wood-eaters—they’re aggressive subterranean termites capable of forming massive colonies, building moisture-rich carton nests, and damaging structures faster than most homeowners expect. At Superior Spray, we combine precise inspection, species-specific treatments, and year-round pest prevention to protect your home before a spring or summer swarm becomes a costly repair. If it’s Thursday and you’ve found mud tubes, wings on a windowsill, or suspicious bubbling paint, here’s how we identify Formosan Termites in Florida quickly—and what we do to stop them for good.

Formosan subterranean termites (Coptotermes formosanus) are known for exceptionally large colonies and the ability to build carton nests that retain moisture inside walls, attics, and other voids when conditions allow. They swarm in warm months—often on humid evenings—and are drawn to lights. Because their colonies can be larger and more destructive than native subterraneans, fast, species-level ID matters. For a science-backed overview, UF/IFAS details biology, behavior, and signs to watch for: UF/IFAS: Formosan Subterranean Termite.

In Florida, Formosan swarmers generally appear late spring into summer, commonly after rain and during calm, humid evenings. You might see hundreds of winged alates around porch lights, atrium windows, or inside near lamps—and by morning, piles of shed wings. If you can safely save several wings or a few dead swarmers in a clear bag, do it; those samples help us confirm species on arrival. Florida’s consumer guidance is a helpful reference: FDACS: Protect Your Home from Termites.

Formosan subterranean termites rely on soil contact or reliable moisture. Typical clues include pencil-width mud tubes on foundations, piers, porches, or garage stem walls; paint that blisters or “bubbles”; hollow-sounding trim; and swarmer wings concentrated near light sources. Indoors, carton-like material inside voids can indicate a moisture-supported nest. Don’t confuse termite swarmers with flying ants—termite wings are equal in size; ants have uneven wings and a pinched waist. For a homeowner-friendly ID guide, see the EPA: How to Identify and Control Termites.

Formosan Termites in Florida follow persistent moisture. Gutters that overflow, irrigation that soaks the slab edge, heavy mulch pressed against siding, and slow drips at hose bibs all add up to easy foraging and concealed access. Indoors, sweating pipes and under-sink leaks keep wood and paper-based materials vulnerable. We address these details because drying the perimeter, trimming dense vegetation, and correcting irrigation patterns make any professional treatment stronger—and reduce opportunities for new colonies to settle in.

We don’t guess—we identify, map conducive conditions, then match the method to the species and structure. For Formosan subterraneans, we typically deploy a soil termiticide to create a protective treated zone or install a professional bait system that intercepts and eliminates colonies over time. Where moisture supports above-ground activity, we may supplement with targeted applications at key entry points and use above-ground baits. No matter the method, we pair treatment with moisture and access corrections that keep pressure down, then monitor so new colonies can’t sneak up unnoticed.

• Collect, don’t scatter: Save swarmer wings, pellets, or dead insects in a clear bag; take close-up photos of mud tubes and where you found them.
• Skip aerosols: Over-the-counter sprays can scatter swarmers and contaminate areas we need to inspect.
• Reduce moisture: Tighten hose bibs, clear gutters, add downspout extensions, and repair slow interior leaks; avoid overwatering near foundations.
• Pull mulch back: Keep mulch at about 2 inches and a few inches off the slab; never bury siding or weep holes.
• Lift wood off soil: Store firewood and lumber off the ground and away from the structure; remove storm debris quickly.
• Improve airflow: Trim shrubs and palms touching siding and rooflines; thin dense corners so walls dry fast after rain.
• Preserve evidence: Light cleanup is fine, but leave representative signs in place until inspection.
• Call Superior Spray: We’ll confirm species, recommend soil termiticide or baiting, correct conducive conditions, and set a monitoring plan.

A healthy, dry perimeter makes life harder for Formosan Termites in Florida. That’s why we connect interior protection to exterior resilience. With lawn spraying, we address turf pests and moisture patterns that keep slab edges soggy. Our shrub tree care trims dense growth that holds humidity along the structure. In shaded pockets, moss spraying improves light and dry-down after storms. Tree injections deliver nutrients or targeted therapeutics directly to the vascular system, strengthening trees from the inside out and reducing debris that becomes termite food. Cleaner edges and stronger plants mean fewer bridges and harborage right where termites like to forage.

Moisture and shelter that attract termites also invite other problems. Large outdoor cockroaches thrive along damp, shaded foundations, and rodents—rats and mice—use dense vegetation and utility penetrations to move indoors. As we harden your termite defenses, we can integrate targeted pest control for cockroaches and true rodent exclusion that screens vents, seals utility lines, and adds door sweeps. If travel introduces bed bugs (true hitchhikers), we build a separate, specialized program that won’t conflict with your termite strategy. One plan, one team, fewer surprises.

And when you want prevention that lasts, we layer in pest prevention habits—smarter irrigation, clutter reduction, and better airflow—so your structure and landscape work together instead of creating termite-friendly conditions.

We start by listening—what you saw, where, and when—then we inspect foundations, piers, porches, garages, attics, crawlspaces, and any wood-to-soil contact. You’ll get a species confirmation (or best-supported hypothesis when evidence is limited), photos of findings, and a step-by-step plan: soil termiticide versus baiting, moisture corrections, structural access fixes, and a monitoring schedule. During service, expect a clean, methodical process around the exterior and clear communication about what we’re doing and why. If you’re up late searching “pest contro” after finding wings on the floor, we’ll make your next step simple and effective.

We’re Florida-first and results-focused. Our team blends accurate identification, proven treatments, and practical moisture and access corrections that hold through the seasons. Because homes rarely face just one threat, we integrate services under one roof—precise pest control for cockroaches, rodent exclusion for rats and mice, species-matched strategies for termites, and specialized programs for bed bugs. Outside, we back your interior protection with lawn spraying, shrub tree care, moss spraying, and tree injections—so pressure drops before pests reach your thresholds.

Save a few wings, dry out the edges, and pick the treatment that fits the species and your structure. At Superior Spray, we combine science-backed inspection, targeted control, and whole-property pest prevention to stop Formosan Termites in Florida and keep your home protected all year. If you’re ready for a plan that’s clear, efficient, and built for Florida’s climate, we’re here to help—inside and out.

If you’re exploring home health care options, let’s talk about what support looks like for your situation. Call 863-682-0700

Sources you can trust: UF/IFAS: Formosan Subterranean Termite , FDACS: Protect Your Home from Termites , EPA: How to Identify and Control Termites