New Construction Pest Control in Florida: Termite Pre-Treatment, Warranties and Early Problems

New construction pest control in Florida starts before the walls go up. The Florida Building Code requires every new home to get a preventive treatment for subterranean termites, and the pest control company must file a certificate with the building department when the work is done. After that, the warranty that comes with the treatment becomes your job to keep alive. This guide explains what the code requires, how the warranty and renewals work, what the treatment does not cover, and which early pest problems new owners in growing areas like Westlake, Port St. Lucie and Wellington should watch for.

Key takeaways

• Florida's residential code (section R318.1) requires termite protection on new homes, using registered soil treatments, bait systems, wood treatments or other approved methods.
• The pest control company issues a Certificate of Compliance to the building department once the treatment is complete.
• Under Florida rule 5E-14.105, the warranty on a new-construction treatment lasts at least one year, and the owner can extend it yearly for at least four more years.
• The pre-treatment targets subterranean termites. Drywood termites are a separate problem.
• Florida allows companies to exclude Formosan and Asian subterranean termites from warranties, so read the contract.

What Florida requires for new construction pest control

Section R318.1 of the 2023 Florida Building Code, Residential, says builders must protect new homes with registered termiticides. These include soil-applied products, baiting systems and pesticides applied to wood. Other approved methods labeled for preventive use on new homes also count.

When the treatment is finished, the licensed pest control company gives the building department a Certificate of Compliance. It must state that the building received a complete treatment to prevent subterranean termites, in line with rules set by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Some building departments, such as Tampa's, won't issue a certificate of occupancy until that certificate is approved.

The code has also long called for a permanent notice in the home. It names the termite treatment company and states that the home needs reinspection and contract renewal. Look for it near the water heater or the electric panel.

Soil treatment, bait systems and treated wood

Builders choose the method, and each one works a bit differently.

• Soil treatment. A liquid termiticide goes into the soil under and around the slab. It creates a treated zone that termites avoid or die in.
• Bait systems. The installer sets stations in the ground around the house. Termites feed on the bait and carry it back to the colony. Baits need regular monitoring.
• Wood treatment. The crew applies a product labeled to protect the framing wood against termites.

Ask your builder which method the crew used and who did it. The answer tells you what upkeep the system needs and who to call for renewals.

How the new construction pest control warranty works

Florida's pest control rules set the terms for these warranties. Under rule 5E-14.105 of the Florida Administrative Code, the company must give the contract to the property owner or the owner's agent before the work starts. The warranty must run for at least one year from the treatment date. The company must also issue it within 30 days of the initial or final treatment.

Most important for buyers, the owner at each renewal has the option to extend the warranty yearly after the first year, for at least four more years. The contract must also promise more treatment if subterranean termites show up in the treated structure during the warranty period.

Getting the warranty transferred to you

On a new home, the builder usually hires the pest control company. So at or before closing, ask for these items:

1. A copy of the treatment contract and warranty.
2. The Certificate of Compliance or the date and type of treatment.
3. The company's contact details and the renewal date and fee.
4. Whether the warranty covers retreatment only or also repairs.

Then call the company to put the contract in your name. Set a reminder for the renewal date, since a lapse can end your protection. If you are buying a home a few years old, check whether the past owner kept the original warranty up.

What the warranty may not cover

Read the exclusions closely. According to UF/IFAS Extension, Florida allows companies to exclude Formosan and Asian subterranean termites from contract warranties. UF/IFAS describes both as invasive species spreading in the U.S. Also check whether damage repair is included or only retreatment.

Drywood termites need a different plan

The code's pre-treatment targets subterranean termites, which live in the soil. Drywood termites are different. They live inside dry wood and don't need contact with the ground. UF/IFAS notes that their signs include small six-sided pellets pushed out through tiny holes in the wood.

Because they enter from the air, a soil treatment won't stop them. If you spot pellets or swarmers, call a licensed company for an inspection. Treatment can range from spot work to tenting the whole house.

New construction pest control questions for your builder

Ask these before closing. Short answers are fine. Write them down and keep them with your home papers.

• Which company treated the home, and on what date?
• Which method did they use: soil, bait or wood?
• Does the warranty cover retreatment only, or repairs too?
• What does the yearly renewal cost, and when is it due?
• Are any termite species excluded?
• Did the company treat the outside of the slab after final grading and landscaping?
• Where is the termite notice posted in the house?

If the builder can't answer, call the pest company. They keep records by address. You can also ask your home inspector to look at the slab edge, the garage and the attic during the new home inspection.

Also think about what you plan to add after you move in. A pool, a screen enclosure or new beds near the house can all disturb the treated soil. So plan those projects with the pest company in the loop. A quick call before the work starts costs far less than a termite repair later.

Early pest problems in new communities

Many new homes in Palm Beach County and Port St. Lucie sit near lakes, canals, preserves and land that was cleared not long ago. When land is disturbed, pests look for new shelter. So new owners often see more insects and small animals around the yard in the first year or two.

• Ants. They move into fresh landscape beds and along slab edges.
• Termite swarmers. UF/IFAS says swarms come in spring, with a smaller swarm sometimes in the fall. Swarmers inside the house are worth a call.
• Mosquitoes. Standing water in gutters, pots and low spots of new sod can breed them.
• Rodents and other wildlife. They may look for gaps around pipes, vents and garage doors.

None of this means a home is defective. It does mean a new owner should watch closely during the first year and keep the builder's warranty and the pest contract handy.

New construction pest control habits that protect the treatment

A soil treatment can fail if the ground around the house changes. Florida Building Commission training material notes that any soil you disturb after the outside barrier goes down should get retreated. So keep these habits in mind:

• Call the pest company before you add a patio, pool deck, addition or new planting bed against the house.
• Keep mulch and soil from piling up against the foundation or covering the slab edge.
• Point sprinkler heads away from the walls so the soil next to the slab doesn't stay wet.
• Don't stack firewood or lumber against the house.
• Fix leaks and drainage problems quickly.

New construction pest control in growing areas

Much of the new building in our area is in western Palm Beach County and in Port St. Lucie. According to Pure Equity's MLS data as of October 1, 2026, the median list price was $749,000 in Westlake, a small market with 107 active listings. It was $429,000 in Port St. Lucie and $915,000 in Wellington. These are asking prices of active listings, with all home types mixed.

Whatever the price, the pest steps are the same. Get the paperwork, renew on time and watch the first year closely. For the rest of the buying process, see our guide to buying a new construction home.

Frequently asked questions

Do new homes in Florida come with termite protection?

Yes. The Florida Building Code requires preventive treatment for subterranean termites on new homes, and the pest control company files a Certificate of Compliance with the building department.

How long does a new construction termite warranty last?

At least one year from the treatment date. Under Florida rule 5E-14.105, the owner can then extend it each year for at least four more years.

What happens if I don't renew the termite contract?

You may lose the retreatment or repair coverage. Read your contract and set a reminder well before the renewal date.

Does the pre-treatment cover drywood termites?

No. It targets subterranean termites that live in the soil. Drywood termites need their own inspection and treatment.

Who pays for new construction pest control?

The builder pays for the first treatment as part of the build. After the first year, the owner usually pays the yearly renewal fee to keep the warranty in force.

Sources

• City of Tampa, Residential termite protection requirements (Florida Building Code R318.1)
• 2023 Florida Building Code, Residential, Chapter 3
• Florida Building Commission, Advanced termite training
• Florida Administrative Code, rule 5E-14.105
• UF/IFAS Extension, Termite prevention and control

Selling a newer home? A current termite warranty is a selling point, and we will make sure buyers see it. Check what your home is worth or talk with a listing agent. Buying? Get a new construction vs. resale comparison from a Pure Equity agent before you choose.