Living in Florida, you are likely well-aware of the extremely high insect population that lives among you. Cockroaches, bed bugs, ants, and termites are just a few of Florida residents’ pests to deal with daily. These insects are most especially expected to be found in people’s homes or businesses, but that does not mean that other objects like boats are safe from bugs, specifically termite infestations, just because they are on the water.
At Biotherm Green Solutions, our Florida pest control experts understand how termites can find themselves on boats, and we have the knowledge, training, and specialized equipment to kill termites before they are able to create any more damage to your boat.
If you own a boat in Florida, chances are you want to use that boat as often as possible. If you have a termite infestation (or another bug issue such as ants or palmetto bugs), though, taking advantage of your boat may be impossible until the termites are gone.
What Kind of Termite Infestation Can Be Found on Boats in Florida?
Most people associate termites and termite colonies with homes and other types of property made of wood and close to the soil. The general understanding is that you may not find a termite infestation on a boat because it is not on land or near the ground. However, the pest control professionals at Biotherm Green Solutions are here to let you know that termites infest boats too! Specifically, the two species of termites that boat owners will most commonly find on their vessels are dry wood termites and Formosan subterranean termites.
Drywood Termites on Boats
Drywood termites do not need soil to prosper (unlike their subterranean counterparts), and they also do not require very much moisture. Whatever type of wood structures you may have on your boat is susceptible to drywood termites. This can include trim boards, structural components like the deck, and even furniture. Drywood termites thrive on boats more easily than their subterranean counterparts because they do not rely on soil or moisture to survive.
When drywood termites infest boats, the evidence of their presence is in the fecal pellets they leave behind. While other types of these pests dig termite tunnels, and the proof of those is obvious, drywood termites are most noticeable by the fecal matter and then the swarmers that will be flying around the boat within a short period.
Boat owners must get rid of termites as soon as evidence of their existence appears because they can cause serious structural damage. If a boat is structurally unsound, it has the risk of sinking, especially when under pressure out in the water – not a great time for integrity issues! Even fiberglass boats have wooden structural components, so these boats are susceptible to the development of a termite colony.
Formosan Subterranean Termites
Another common type of termite that you may find on your boat is the Formosan subterranean termite. Although most subterranean termites are found in moist soil – their natural, ideal environment – you can also get an aerial colony of Formosan subterranean termites on your boat. During mating season, they will fly around looking for a place to build that colony, and your boat’s wooden structures or furniture in moist areas could potentially make a great home.
How to Kill Termites on Your Boat
Killing termites, especially if your boat has severe infestations in the wooden surfaces and into the hull, may require the expert services of a professional pest control company such as Biotherm Green Solutions. Some of the most common ways to effectively kill termites and work to retain the structural integrity of your boat include whole boat fumigation, spot treatment with insecticides, and taking the hull apart to kill termites inside the hull’s structure. If there is significant damage to the hull and enough wood has already been eaten away, taking the hull apart may be your best option.
At Biotherm Green Solutions, though, we also have a non-toxic, non-chemical treatment option available that utilizes the power of extreme heat to eliminate termites. Effective dry wood termite control using heat requires that the boat is heated to between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 35 minutes. Heat is a very potent termiticide and prevents a new colony from forming.
Our pest control team uses specialized hot air blowers to blast the boat with the heat and work to eliminate all termites throughout the boat, including the internal structures that insecticide may not be able to penetrate.
When you invest in Biotherm Green Solutions’ heat treatment for killing dry wood termites, you can rest assured that we will monitor the heat activity to ensure that only the termites are affected, not your boat.
Contact Our Pest Elimination Experts at Biotherm
If you are a boat owner in Florida and you suspect that you may have a drywood termite infestatio
n, contact the professionals at Biotherm Green Solutions for the most effective method of killing termites and making sure they do not return.
When you contact Biotherm Green Solutions for termite contr
ol services, you can rest assured that we will take care of the problem immediately to ensure that no more of your boat is affected by the termites that have infested it. Our goal is to eliminate the problem for you so that you can get back out onto the water and enjoy the boat that you love without fear of sinking due to structural integrity issues.
Call us today to learn more about our termite heat treatment process and schedule an inspection for your Florida boat. When bugs like termites have infested your boat, your first reaction should be a call to Biotherm Green Solutions. Our pest control technicians have the knowledge, skills, and experience to eradicate your termite problem and get you back in the water as soon as possible.