Termite Species in St. Augustine, Jacksonville & St. Johns
Termites cause more structural damage to homes in Florida than hurricanes, fires, and floods combined. That is not an exaggeration. Florida leads the nation in termite activity, and St. Augustine, Jacksonville, and St. Johns sit squarely in one of the highest-risk zones in the state. But not all termites behave the same way, and the species infesting your home determines the treatment approach. This guide covers the termite species you are most likely to encounter in our area, how to tell them apart, and the warning signs that indicate your home may already be under attack.
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Our Termite ServicesTermite Species Found in St. Augustine & Jacksonville
Know what you are dealing with. Each species requires a different approach.
Eastern Subterranean Termite
The Eastern subterranean termite is responsible for the vast majority of termite damage in St. Augustine, Jacksonville, and St. Johns. These termites live in underground colonies that can number in the hundreds of thousands, and they build distinctive mud tubes to travel from the soil to the wood in your home. Workers are small, about 3 millimeters long, soft-bodied, and creamy white. You will almost never see workers unless you break open an active mud tube or infested piece of wood. What you are more likely to see are swarmers — dark brown to black winged termites about 10 millimeters long that emerge in large numbers on warm days following rain, typically from late February through May in our area. Subterranean termites need constant contact with moisture, which is why they build mud tubes and why homes with moisture issues are at higher risk. They eat wood along the grain, following the softer spring growth rings, which creates a distinctive layered damage pattern.
- Colony size:
- 60,000 to 1 million+
- Swarm season:
- Late February through May
- Signs:
- Mud tubes on foundation, swarmers, hollow wood
- Damage rate:
- Moderate — significant over time
Drywood Termite
Drywood termites are different from subterranean termites in a fundamental way: they do not need contact with the soil. They live entirely inside the wood they are eating, which means they can infest any wood in your home, including attic framing, window frames, door frames, and furniture. Their colonies are smaller than subterranean termites, typically numbering in the low thousands, but they can have multiple colonies in the same structure. The most common sign of drywood termites is the presence of frass — small, hard, six-sided pellets that they push out of tiny kick-out holes in the wood. These pellets accumulate in small piles on windowsills, floors, and countertops below the infested wood. Drywood termites are found in older homes and structures throughout St. Augustine, particularly in the historic district and surrounding neighborhoods where exposed wood is more common.
- Colony size:
- 1,000 to 5,000
- Swarm season:
- Late spring through summer
- Signs:
- Frass pellets, kick-out holes, hollow wood
- Damage rate:
- Slower than subterranean, but cumulative
Formosan Subterranean Termite
The Formosan subterranean termite is often called the super termite, and for good reason. Their colonies can number in the millions, and they consume wood at a rate far exceeding any other termite species in our area. A mature Formosan colony can cause serious structural damage in as little as six months. They are not as well established in St. Augustine and Jacksonville as Eastern subterranean termites, but their range has been expanding steadily northward through Florida, and they have been confirmed in our region. Formosan termites build large, enclosed nests called cartons made of chewed wood, soil, and their own excrement. These cartons can be found in wall voids, attics, and even in trees. They swarm in late spring and early summer, typically in the evening and at night, and they are strongly attracted to lights. Swarmers are yellowish-brown and about 15 millimeters long including wings.
- Colony size:
- 1 million to 10 million+
- Swarm season:
- Late May through June (evening)
- Signs:
- Carton nests, massive mud tubes, rapid damage
- Damage rate:
- Extremely high — structural damage in months
Termites vs. Flying Ants: How to Tell the Difference
This is one of the most common questions we get during swarming season.
Every spring in St. Augustine and Jacksonville, homeowners see swarms of winged insects and wonder whether they are termites or flying ants. The distinction matters enormously because termite swarmers inside your home indicate an active colony that is already causing damage, while flying ants are generally a nuisance but not a structural threat. Here is how to tell them apart.
| Feature | Termite Swarmer | Flying Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Antennae | Straight, beaded | Elbowed (bent at 90 degrees) |
| Waist | Thick, no constriction | Pinched, narrow waist |
| Wings | Two pairs, equal length, break off easily | Two pairs, front pair larger than back |
| Body shape | Rectangular, uniform width | Segmented with distinct head, thorax, abdomen |
| Color | Dark brown to black (subterranean) | Dark brown to black (varies by species) |
| Wing shedding | Wings shed quickly, found in piles | Wings remain attached longer |
⚠ Swarmers Inside Your Home = Active Colony
If you find winged insects or piles of shed wings inside your home, especially near windows, doors, or light fixtures, do not ignore it. Indoor swarmers almost always indicate an active termite colony that has been feeding on your home for at least several years. The colony has reached a size where it is producing reproductive swarmers to start new colonies. Contact TAYLOR'D Pest Services immediately for a free inspection. Call (904) 484-7533.
Signs of Termites in Your St. Augustine or Jacksonville Home
Termites work silently. Here is what to look for.
Mud Tubes
Pencil-width tubes of dried mud running up your foundation wall, along plumbing pipes, or in crawl spaces. These are highways that subterranean termites build to travel between the soil and the wood in your home while maintaining the moisture they need to survive.
Swarmers or Shed Wings
Winged termites emerging inside your home, or piles of small, translucent wings found on windowsills, near doors, or around light fixtures. This is the most visible sign of an active infestation.
Frass (Drywood Termites)
Small piles of hard, six-sided pellets that look like coarse sand or sawdust. Drywood termites push these pellets out of tiny holes in the wood as they excavate their galleries. Look for them on windowsills and floors below wood trim.
Hollow or Damaged Wood
Wood that sounds hollow when tapped, feels soft when pressed, or shows visible damage along the grain. Baseboards, door frames, and window frames are common places to check. Paint that is bubbling or appears wavy can also indicate termite damage beneath the surface.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about termites in St. Augustine, Jacksonville, and St. Johns.
Eastern subterranean termites are by far the most common species in St. Augustine, Jacksonville, and St. Johns. They live in underground colonies and build mud tubes to reach the wood in your home. Drywood termites are also present but less common, typically found in older homes with exposed wood.
Termites have straight antennae, a thick waist, and two pairs of equal-length wings. Flying ants have elbowed antennae, a pinched waist, and front wings that are larger than the back pair. If you see swarmers inside your home, have them identified by a professional.
Eastern subterranean termites typically swarm from late February through May on warm days following rain. Drywood termites swarm from late spring through summer. Formosan termites swarm in late spring and early summer, usually in the evening.
TAYLOR'D Pest Services offers free termite inspections for homeowners. For formal WDO inspection reports needed for real estate transactions, there is a fee for the official documentation. Call (904) 484-7533 to schedule your inspection.
Related Services & Guides
Explore our termite services and other identification guides.
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