Trust your instincts – if something seems off, it’s worth investigating. Common signs include discarded wings near windows or doors (from swarmers), mud tubes running up foundation walls or along baseboards, wood that sounds hollow when tapped, or visible damage to wooden structures. However, termites often work completely hidden inside walls and structural members. Many Winter Garden homeowners discover termites during routine inspections or real estate transactions, never having seen obvious signs. If you’re concerned, a professional inspection provides definitive answers and costs nothing compared to potential repair bills.

Standard termite treatments create protective barriers in the soil around your foundation and target specific areas where termites are active – this works well for most situations and allows you to stay in your home. Fumigation (tenting) treats your entire structure with gas that penetrates everywhere, including inside walls and hidden voids – this is necessary for severe, widespread infestations or drywood termites. Think of treatment as targeted defense and fumigation as total elimination. We’ll recommend the approach that matches your specific situation, not push the most expensive option.

Florida real estate transactions commonly require a Wood-Destroying Organism (WDO) report, also called a termite letter or clearance letter. This documents the property’s condition and any evidence of active or previous termite activity. If issues are found, they typically need treatment before closing, and responsibility (buyer vs. seller) depends on your contract. We conduct thorough WDO inspections following Florida regulations, provide clear documentation, and can coordinate treatment timing with your closing schedule if needed. Getting this done early in the transaction prevents last-minute surprises.

Investment varies based on your home’s size, construction type, treatment method needed, and whether you’re addressing active termites or establishing preventive protection. Most Winter Garden homes fall into a predictable range, and we provide upfront, transparent pricing after evaluating your property – no hidden fees or surprise charges. Consider that termite damage repairs often cost thousands or tens of thousands of dollars, while professional protection costs a fraction of that. We’re happy to discuss financing options if that helps make protection more accessible.

Several practical steps help: eliminate wood-to-ground contact (like landscape timbers touching your foundation), fix moisture problems and leaky pipes quickly, maintain proper drainage away from your home, trim vegetation so it doesn’t touch your structure, and store firewood away from your house. However, even with perfect maintenance, termites can still find your home – our sandy soils make it easy for them to travel underground. These prevention measures work best alongside professional treatment, not as a replacement for it.

Absolutely. Initial treatment is just the beginning – we provide scheduled follow-up inspections to verify effectiveness, monitor for any new activity, and maintain your protective barrier over time. Many homeowners choose annual renewal programs that keep coverage active year after year, which makes sense in our climate where termites never truly go dormant. If we ever find new termite activity during a monitoring visit, we address it as part of your protection plan. Long-term vigilance is what keeps Winter Garden homes safe.