Florida is one of only four U.S. states — alongside Hawaii, California, and Louisiana — where drywood termites are an established structural pest. In Polk County, the West Indian drywood termite (Cryptotermes brevis) and the southeastern drywood termite (Incisitermes snyderi) are both active, and Lakeland-area homeowners frequently encounter drywood termite damage in attic structural members, ceiling beams, hardwood floors, and the eaves of tile-roof homes. Call the number below to be connected with an FDACS Fumigation-licensed operator serving Polk County for inspection, identification, and treatment.
Drywood termites are fundamentally different from subterranean termites in biology, detection, and treatment. The dispatched FDACS-licensed operator inspects the property, identifies the species, scopes the infestation extent, and provides a written quote for the appropriate treatment — whether whole-house fumigation, localized spot treatment, or in some cases heat treatment.
How Drywood Termites Are Different From Subterranean Termites
The distinction matters because the treatments are completely different:
| Subterranean Termites | Drywood Termites | |
|---|---|---|
| Colony location | Underground in soil | Inside wood itself, no soil contact |
| Moisture requirement | High — colony needs soil moisture | Low — extract water from wood digestion |
| Visible signs | Mud tubes on foundation walls and slab edges | Frass (pellet droppings), kick-out holes |
| Swarming season (Polk County) | February–May | May–August |
| Swarmer appearance | Black body, pale wings, ~3/8″ long | Pale-tan to reddish-brown body, smoky wings often unequal length |
| Treatment | Liquid barrier or bait stations | Fumigation, spot treatment, or heat |
| Detection method | Visual mud tubes, swarm activity | Frass, kick-out holes, swarmer activity in light fixtures |
A homeowner finding small piles of what looks like sawdust or pepper-like granules below a ceiling beam, window sill, or attic structural member is most likely seeing drywood termite frass — the pellet-like fecal droppings characteristic of the species. Drywood frass has a distinctive 6-sided cross-section, granular texture, and accumulates directly below kick-out holes (tiny ~1mm round holes the termites use to expel waste from the colony).
Why Lakeland and Polk County Are Drywood Termite Territory
Three structural factors create elevated drywood termite pressure in Polk County:
1. Climate. Drywood termites thrive in warm, humid environments. Polk County’s mean annual temperature of 72°F, ~75% humidity, and 50–55 inches of annual rainfall (NOAA NWS Tampa Bay station data) create year-round conditions favorable to drywood termite colonies. While drywood termites can survive in drier climates, they expand and reproduce most aggressively in Florida’s subtropical climate band.
2. Building stock. Polk County’s residential building stock includes a large concentration of older wood-frame construction (1920s–1970s historic neighborhoods in Lakeland, Lake Wales, Bartow, and Plant City), as well as more recent CBS-with-wood-trim construction common in 1980s–2020s subdivisions. Drywood termites attack accessible wood — including roof trusses, attic decking, fascia boards, soffits, eaves, and structural framing — making most Polk County housing stock vulnerable.
3. Distribution patterns. UF/IFAS Cooperative Extension Service detection records confirm drywood termite establishment throughout Polk County, with particularly high densities around the historic Lakeland neighborhoods (Lake Hollingsworth, Cleveland Heights, Dixieland, Lake Morton), the Lake Wales historic district, and older Bartow and Winter Haven structures. Newer subdivisions in Davenport, Haines City, and Polk City are not immune — drywood termite swarmers can fly several hundred yards from established colonies.
Identifying Drywood Termite Activity in Your Polk County Home
The most common drywood termite indicators a Lakeland-area homeowner will observe:
Frass piles. Small accumulations of pellet-like droppings, typically light tan to dark brown depending on the wood the termites are eating. Most often found:
- On attic floors and on top of insulation
- Below ceiling beams or window sills
- Below baseboards or trim
- On hardwood floors, particularly in closets or under furniture
- Below wood ceiling fans or wooden ceiling features
Kick-out holes. Tiny round holes, approximately 1mm in diameter, in wooden surfaces. These are the openings drywood colonies use to expel waste. Often found in:
- Attic structural members and decking
- Ceiling beams
- Hardwood baseboards
- Window and door trim
- Wooden furniture
Swarmers. Winged reproductive drywood termites, typically appearing May through August on warm humid evenings. They are attracted to light, so swarmers often appear near windows, light fixtures, lamps, or porch lights. After landing, they shed their wings — small piles of discarded wings near windows or light fixtures is a strong indicator.
Hollow-sounding wood. When wood structural members are tapped, infested wood may sound hollow or papery rather than solid.
Cracked or bubbling paint. Active drywood termite colonies can cause subtle warping or bubbling of paint over infested surfaces, though this sign is also caused by water damage and other issues.
Visible damage when probed. Wood that appears intact but crumbles or splinters when poked with a screwdriver may have hidden interior galleries from drywood colonies.
Treatment Approaches the Dispatched Operators Typically Use
The FDACS-licensed operator dispatched through Lakeland Exterminators will assess infestation severity and recommend one or more of the following treatment approaches:
Whole-House Fumigation (Tenting) — Gold Standard for Widespread Infestation
Whole-house fumigation is the only treatment that achieves 100% mortality across an entire structure for drywood termites. The process:
- Tarping. The home is sealed with tarps creating an airtight envelope.
- Fumigant introduction. Sulfuryl fluoride gas (brand name Vikane) is released into the sealed structure.
- Exposure period. Typically 24–72 hours, depending on structure size, infestation severity, and outside temperature.
- Aeration. Tarps are removed and the structure is aerated for several hours before re-entry.
- Clearance testing. The fumigator uses gas-monitoring equipment to confirm Vikane has dissipated below clearance thresholds before issuing the re-entry certification.
Preparation requirements. Occupants and pets must vacate the structure for 2–3 days. All food (including refrigerator and freezer contents) must be sealed in Nylofume bags provided by the fumigator. Medications must be sealed similarly. Plants must be removed or sealed. The fumigator provides a detailed preparation checklist.
Fumigation in Florida is a specialty practice. Lawful fumigation in Florida requires the operator to hold the FDACS Fumigation category license, which is separate from and additional to the standard Termite/WDO category. Not all Polk County termite operators offer fumigation in-house — many subcontract to specialist fumigation companies.
Typical cost in Polk County: $1,500–$5,000 for a single-family home, depending on cubic footage. Larger homes (over 3,000 sq ft) typically run $3,500–$8,000.
Spot Treatment — For Localized Infestation
When drywood termite activity is confined to a specific, accessible area (a single attic section, a discrete structural member, a piece of trim), spot treatment can be effective and dramatically less expensive than fumigation. The licensed operator drills small access holes into the infested wood and injects foam termiticide (boric acid-based foams, fipronil-based products, or specialized drywood termite formulations).
Limitations: Spot treatment only addresses the colonies that the operator can physically locate and access. If colonies exist in hidden portions of the structure, spot treatment will not eliminate them. For homes with widespread drywood activity, spot treatment is typically only used as a stopgap before fumigation.
Typical cost in Polk County: $300–$800 per treatment area.
Heat Treatment — For Select Properties
Heat treatment raises the temperature of the entire structure (or a sealed portion) to ~130°F for several hours, lethal to drywood termites. Less common than fumigation in Florida because of structural complications (heat can damage sensitive items, electronics, and certain finishes) and because Florida’s existing fumigation infrastructure is mature.
Limitations: Requires sealing the structure, which may not be feasible for some homes. Cost is comparable to fumigation. Heat treatment is more commonly used for bed bug eradication than for drywood termite control in Florida, though some Polk County specialists offer it for drywood.
Typical cost in Polk County: $1,800–$4,500.
Localized Microwave Treatment — Niche Application
For very localized drywood infestation in accessible wood, some specialty operators offer microwave treatment — a handheld device that heats specific wood members above the termite-lethal threshold. Effective only for accessible, isolated colonies.
When To Call a Polk County Drywood Termite Operator
- You see drywood termite swarmers (May–August evenings) inside your home, often near windows or light fixtures
- You find frass piles below ceilings, window sills, attic structural members, or wooden furniture
- You see kick-out holes (tiny 1mm round holes) in wooden surfaces
- You find piles of discarded wings near windows or light fixtures
- You’re scheduling a Polk County real estate WDO inspection — drywood termite presence is a common finding that affects closing
- Your existing termite bond covers subterranean only — drywood coverage typically requires a separate inspection and bond
Cost Expectations for Polk County Drywood Treatment
| Treatment | Typical Polk County Cost (Single-Family Home) |
|---|---|
| Inspection only | $100 – $250 |
| Spot treatment (localized) | $300 – $800 per area |
| Whole-house fumigation | $1,500 – $5,000 |
| Heat treatment | $1,800 – $4,500 |
| Microwave (single beam/member) | $200 – $600 |
| Annual drywood termite bond | $200 – $500 |
Full termite treatment cost guide →
Pricing varies primarily by structure size (cubic footage for fumigation), infestation severity, accessibility, and warranty terms.
FDACS Licensing for Drywood Termite Treatment
In Florida, lawful drywood termite treatment requires the operator to hold:
- Active Termite/WDO category license (FDACS) — required for inspection, identification, and most treatment approaches
- Active Fumigation category license — additionally required for whole-house fumigation with Vikane
- Identification Card for each applicator — every individual technician applying pesticide must carry an FDACS-issued ID Card
License status can be verified through the FDACS public license search. Any reputable Polk County drywood termite operator will provide license numbers in writing on quotes and treatment certificates.
Full FDACS license category reference →
Polk County Service Areas
The drywood termite operators reachable through Lakeland Exterminators serve all of Polk County:
- Lakeland — All zip codes
- Winter Haven — 33880, 33881, 33884
- Bartow — 33830
- Plant City — 33563–33567
- Lake Wales — 33853, 33859, 33898 (Bok Tower historic district is a high drywood pressure area)
- Auburndale — 33823
- Haines City — 33844, 33845
- Mulberry — 33860
- Davenport — 33837, 33896, 33897
- Polk City — 33868
Related Pages
- Termite Treatment in Lakeland, FL — Combined subterranean + drywood overview
- Subterranean Termite Treatment in Polk County — Liquid barriers and bait stations
- WDO Inspection in Lakeland — Real estate inspection reports
- Termite Treatment Cost in Lakeland — Detailed pricing
- Hurricane Pest Prep for Polk County — Termite post-storm guidance