Termites are swarming across the Pensacola area. Here's what you can do to prevent damage.

Reports of termites are on the rise and becoming a nuisance for many Florida homeowners.

Families across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties this week reported a sudden uptick in visible termite swarming, as clouds of the damaging insects were spotted across the area.

These insects cause $5 billion in property damage across the U.S. annually, according to Orkin, and property owners spend over $2 billion to treat them since Florida homeowners insurance policies do not cover termite damage.

Florida has the highest risk of termite damage in the country as a result of the hot and humid climate of Florida, which is unfortunately ideal for several types of termites that have taken hold along with the radius of potential spread around each infestation.

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What are termites?

Termites, also called “swarmers,” feed on wood and become pests of homes. They are black to brown in color and reach a length of 3/8 inches, including the wings.

There are two types of termites commonly encountered by homeowners: the worker and the swarmer. Worker termites are creamy colored, 3-4 mm long, and typically only seen when a mud foraging tube is broken or infested wood is broken open. Swarmers are the reproductive cast of the termite colony. They are approximately 4 mm long and dark brown or black in color. They may or may not have wings, as the swarmers lose their wings shortly after emergence.

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When does the termite season start and end?

Termite season does not have a set beginning and end, as termites are active year round.

However, most species of subterranean termites swarm during the spring and summer, particularly on warms days after a rainfall. Drywood termites and one particular species of subterranean termite typically swarm during the late summer or fall months, from August through November.

What is the worst termite?

Subterranean termites do the most damage worldwide, especially in Florida, causing estimated billions of dollars of damage each year.

Subterranean termites live and invade from underground, and a single colony can cover one acre underneath a home. They typically live in dark, moist, hidden environments underground but will create and live in carton nests above ground. These can be found in walls and attics of structures and in nearby trees. To move above the ground, these termites build mud tubes, which are used for detection.

What are the signs of a termite infestation?

When termites are mid-infestation, they either hide within the structure that they’re eating through or underground. Termite damage becomes visible once it has become extensive because the colony has grown exponentially.

These are the signs homeowners should look out for when seeing if they have a termite infestation:

• Termites will leave behind droppings, known as frass that look like tiny pellets, indicating their presence and searching for discarded swarmer wings.

• Finding holes in your walls, hearing hollow sounds when knocking on wood, mud tubes in your yard, cracks near your home's foundation, paint peeling or wood blistering.

How to get rid of termites?

While it is tempting to do your own pest control, homeowners should avoid trying to rid their home of termites without a professional. Chemical pesticides are toxic and if used improperly can harm children and pets. Furthermore, since termites burrow and utilize tunnels to get around, it can be extremely difficult to find the exact location of a termite colony. Not properly exterminating these termites will likely cause them to swarm and spread to a new location within your home.

Consult your local termite control professionals in order to get the correct diagnosis and professional advice about which treatment is best based on the species or severity of the infestation.

There are several ways you can help keep termites away from your Pensacola home by yourself:

• Seal cracks and small openings around doors, windows, garage doors and utility entry points.

• Get rid of standing water around the home.

• Concrete foundations are very successful in preventing termites and can help detect infestations early on by forcing termites to build mud tunnels when they search for food.

• Cutting back tree branches and bushes and keeping them away from the side of the house and roof.

• Keep lumber, firewood and wood scraps elevated off the ground and well away from your home.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Florida termites swarm across state. Here's how to prevent damage: