Growing up in the northeast, I had no knowledge of termites and the immense damage they can cause.
Temperatures well below zero don’t allow for a termite population.
It wasn’t until I moved to Florida and bought a house in Jacksonville that I learned about termites. These very small insects live in colonies that can include millions of them. A mature colony can be responsible for severe structural damage before there are any obvious signs of an infestation. In the spring and summer, termites swarm in search of somewhere to set up a new colony. They are light brown to black in color with straight antennae and nourish on the cellulose found in cotton fibers, paper products, plants and wood. If wood connects the ground to the house, it provides a way inside for the termites. Blistering wood flooring, discarded termite wings, mud tubes and droppings that look like saw dust are some of the signs of termites. I first noticed that the front porch was no longer sturdy. I could break apart the railing with my hands. I worried about stepping straight through the floorboards. I later found out that an infestation can take from two to eight years to be noticed. Unfortunately, the insects are concealed inside walls, ceilings and floors while they are feasting on studs and beams. The termite infestation inside my home was so bad that the floors started to collapse. I could no longer remain in the house because of safety concerns. Getting rid of termites is not a cheap or easy process. Even if I managed to hire professionals to kill off the entire colony, I would have been left with a house that is not fit to inhabit. The necessary repairs were extensive. Rather than go through the expense, effort and hassle of restoring the house, I decided to sell it. With the house in such terrible condition, a cash home buyer was the best option.