Apr 10, 2025 | Termite Control
Termites may be small, but the damage they can cause to your home is anything but. With warmer weather in spring and summer, these pests become more active, particularly in places like North Carolina where the climate is ideal for their colonies to thrive. Protecting your home from termites is essential to maintaining its structural integrity and avoiding costly repairs. This comprehensive guide to termite control near me will walk you through what you need to know about termites, how to identify early warning signs, and practical steps to keep them at bay this season.
Termite Control Near Me
What Are Termites and Why Are They a Concern?
Termites are wood-eating insects that live in colonies and can chew through wooden structures, flooring, and even wallpaper. The most common types in North Carolina are subterranean termites, which thrive in moist environments and can silently damage your property. Unlike other pests, termites don’t just infest; they destroy.
What makes them particularly challenging is that their activity often goes unnoticed until significant damage has already been done. This means prevention and early detection are crucial for homeowners.
Why Spring and Summer Are Termite Seasons
Termites are most active during spring and summer due to the warmth and humidity that North Carolina provides. During these seasons, reproductive termites, also known as swarmers, search for new locations to establish colonies. If they find your home or yard hospitable, it could spell trouble.
Subterranean termites also require moisture to survive, making water sources such as leaky pipes, clogged gutters, and standing water attractive to these pests. The combination of environmental factors and increased termite activity makes spring and summer critical times for homeowners to take preventive action.
How to Protect Your Home from Termites
1. Recognize the Warning Signs
Early detection is key to avoiding termite damage. Look out for these common signs of termite activity:
- Discarded Wings: Reproductive termites shed their wings after swarming. You may find piles of wings near windows, doors, or light fixtures.
- Mud Tubes: Subterranean termites create pencil-width mud tubes to travel between their colony and food sources. These tubes are often found along the foundation of your home or in crawl spaces.
- Hollow-Sounding Wood: Tapping on wooden surfaces that sound hollow could mean termites have been feeding on the inside.
- Droppings: Also known as frass, termite droppings look like small piles of sawdust or sand and may be found near affected wood.
If you spot any of these signs, it’s time to take immediate action.
2. Maintain a Termite-Unfriendly Yard
Keeping your yard tidy and less appealing to termites can go a long way in protecting your home. Here’s how you can do it:
- Clear Debris: Remove any fallen branches, wood piles, or other debris close to your home’s foundation.
- Store Firewood Away: If you rely on firewood, store it at least 20 feet away from your home and off the ground.
- Trim Overgrown Plants: Make sure plants and shrubs are not directly touching your home, as they can create a bridge for termites to enter.
3. Manage Moisture Around Your Home
Since termites thrive in moist environments, moisture management is a simple yet effective strategy:
- Fix Leaks Promptly: Repair any leaky faucets, pipes, or air conditioning units. Even small drips can create enough moisture to attract termites.
- Redirect Water: Ensure that downspouts and gutters are properly directing water away from your home’s foundation.
- Ventilate Crawl Spaces: Proper ventilation reduces humidity in crawl spaces, making them less inviting to termites.
4. Perform Regular Inspections
One of the best ways to stay ahead of termites is to inspect your home regularly:
- DIY Spot Checks: Walk around your property and check for mud tubes, discarded wings, and other signs of termites.
- Professional Inspections: Hire a trusted pest control service for annual inspections. Professionals can identify subtle signs of termite activity that may go unnoticed.
Taking Action Today Can Save You Tomorrow
When it comes to termites, being proactive is your best defense. By recognizing warning signs, managing moisture, maintaining your yard, and scheduling regular inspections with termite control near me, you can significantly reduce the risk of a termite infestation. Spring and summer are ideal times to take these steps to your home for years to come.
For homeowners in North Carolina, expert guidance in termite control is just a call away. Protect what matters most by contacting a local pest control professional who understands the unique needs of your region. Don’t wait for termites to make themselves at home in your home!
Jan 30, 2025 | Termite Control
When most people think of pests, they picture mosquitoes buzzing around in the summer or rodents sneaking indoors to escape the winter cold. However, there is one often-overlooked pest that can cause serious long-term damage if left unchecked: termites. With March approaching, Termite Awareness Month, now is a perfect opportunity for homeowners in North Carolina to prioritize termite inspections. By understanding these silent destroyers and taking proactive steps, you can protect your home from potentially costly damage.
Why Termite Inspections Should Be A Priority
The Unseen Threat Lurking Year-Round
While most pests might take a break during colder months, termites are active year-round, especially given North Carolina’s mild climate. These tiny invaders don’t hibernate but continue to feed on wood, putting your home at risk. Unlike ants or spiders, termites work silently, often causing damage before you even realize they’re there.
Ignoring the threat can result in significant damage, with termites quietly consuming the wooden structures of your home. By the time their presence becomes noticeable, the damage may be extensive and expensive to repair. That is why scheduling a termite inspection should be a priority for homeowners, even during winter.
Recognizing the Signs of Termite Infestation
Identifying a termite infestation early can save you from costly repairs. Despite their ability to hide, termites leave telltale signs that can alert you to their presence.
- Mud Tubes: These are the pathways termites build to travel between their nests and food sources. Made from soil, wood particles, and saliva, these pencil-width tubes can often be found on exterior walls, foundations, and along beams or walls inside your home.
- Wood Damage: If knocking on wooden surfaces produces a hollow sound, termites might be the culprits. They typically eat wood from the inside out, leaving the exterior intact until it is too late.
- Swarmers or Wings: Reproductive termites, or swarmers, leave the nest to start new colonies. Finding discarded wings around windowsills or other areas suggests an active infestation.
- Frass (Termite Droppings): Termites produce pellet-like droppings called frass. Discovering small piles of these dark pellets near wooden structures can indicate an infestation.
- Visible Damage to Wooden Structures: Over time, termites can cause visible structural damage, including buckling floors, cracked drywall, and doors or windows that become difficult to open.
The Importance of Professional Termite Inspections
Knowing these signs is helpful, but identifying an infestation early often requires the expertise of a professional. This is where professional termite inspections come in. A trained pest control technician can conduct a thorough inspection, identifying signs of termites in hard-to-reach or hidden areas like attics and crawl spaces.
Professional inspections are crucial because termites can remain active in areas that are not easily visible. A licensed pest control expert can uncover hidden damage and ensure your home remains protected.
Preventative Measures to Keep Termites at Bay
The best way to protect your home from termites is to prevent them from entering in the first place. Here are a few simple yet effective prevention tips:
- Seal Cracks and Gaps: Ensure all cracks in your foundation, gaps around windows, and holes for utility lines are sealed. Termites can exploit even the smallest openings to gain entry.
- Maintain Proper Drainage: Moisture attracts termites, so ensure water drains away from your home. Regularly clean gutters and ensure the soil around your foundation slopes away to prevent water pooling.
- Remove Wood Debris: Store firewood away from your home, remove old tree stumps, and clear any wooden debris around your foundation. Termites are drawn to wood, so minimizing these sources can deter them.
- Schedule Annual Inspections: Even without visible signs of termites, annual inspections can catch issues early, preventing major problems down the line.
Wrapping Up the Termite Threat
Termites may be silent, but their impact is anything but. For North Carolina homeowners, understanding the importance of early termite inspections and staying vigilant against these pests is vital. By recognizing the signs of an infestation early and taking preventive measures, you can protect your home from the costly damage termites can cause.
Remember, when it comes to termites, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Consider scheduling a professional inspection today with a licensed pest control company near you. Secure your home’s future by learning more about how you can protect it from termites and other pests.
Dec 21, 2021 | Termite Control
It’s estimated that termites cause billions of dollars worth of damage annually in the United States. While they primarily feed on wood, they can also damage books, insulation, and swimming pool liners and filters. They like to wreak havoc on trees, shrubs, and plants that are in bad health. Termites can infest buildings at any time. This can be particularly troublesome when buying or selling a home. A termite inspection and report are usually required as a condition of sale of a home.
Signs of Damage
When signs of termite damage surface, the infestation has often been there for years with extensive damage already sustained. Some signs of termites in your home include:
- A hollow sound made by tapping on wood with a heavy object
- Painted walls that bubble and peel
- Small entry holes where they tunnel through drywall
- Buckling ceiling and walls
- Appearance of water damage
- Maze-like designs in wood structures
- Mud tunnels on foundations
Significant damage from termites can have an effect on the structural integrity of your home and can even cause ceilings and floors to collapse. Termites can also ruin furniture and flooring.
Damage Costs
One question that many homeowners have is if termite damage is covered under a homeowner’s insurance policy. Unfortunately, in most cases the answer is no. Homeowner’s insurance typically does not cover termite damage or removal because it can usually be prevented through routine home maintenance. However, you should always check with your insurance provider to see what you are and aren’t covered for.
Prevention
Termites can be prevented with scheduled periodic professional inspections which can help identify signs of infestations early. This can help keep repair costs down and the damage to a minimum. Any professional termite control plan should eliminate termites, prevent future termite infestations, and prevent termite damage. If you suspect that you have a termite problem or want to have an inspection done, contact your local pest control company.
Nov 9, 2021 | Termite Control
Buying a home is a major investment. For most homeowners, a lot of time is spent repairing and renovating their home to their liking. However, owning a home can also come with a lot of unexpected problems that can be costly to repair, such as termite damage. Termites can colonize homes and cause significant undetected destruction over a long period of time. Most of the time, it costs thousands of dollars to repair their damage. Unfortunately, the infestations can sometimes be exacerbated by the homeowner. Below, we’ll explain what you need to know to make sure you aren’t attracting termites.
Improper Drainage
One of the most common reasons why you may have a termite infestation is due to improper drainage around your home. Subterranean termites are attracted to moisture and need an abundant source of nearby water to survive. Debris can build up in your home’s gutters, and the excess moisture can soften your roof and cause it to rot. A downspout can help divert rainwater away from your foundation, and splash blocks can prevent the water from pooling.
Wood Mulch
The type of materials you use to landscape can attract termites, specifically mulch. Mulch is often used near and around homes, usually against the foundation. Unfortunately, it serves as a food source for termites as it retains moisture and attracts these pests right to the edge of your home. Try to minimize the use of wood mulch and keep it at least 15 inches from the foundation.
Moisture
Lack of airflow and leaking pipes contribute to moisture problems in the home and can create a perfect environment for termites. Eliminating any type of excess moisture inside of your home is a huge step in preventing termites. Consider enclosing your crawlspace to prevent termites and improve the overall health of your home. Doing so will reduce the moisture, decrease humidity, lower utility bills, and prevent mold and wood rot.
If you’ve taken the necessary steps in preventing termites but still suspect that you have a problem, call your local pest control company to help. They can help set you up with a termite inspection and termite control and prevention plan.
Aug 31, 2021 | Termite Control
Buying a home leaves you with hundreds of things to consider and decide on. From furniture to renovations to insurance, there’s a lot to take in! One thing that usually doesn’t come to mind immediately is termite control.
Termites can cause serious damage to your home and that damage is usually not covered by homeowner’s insurance policies. Most times, you won’t even think about it until the damage is already done. However, there are steps you can take to prevent termite damage. With the Sentricon Always Active® System and a termite provider’s inspection, your home can be protected 24/7/365.
So, what are some benefits of Sentricon Termite Protection?
- Your home is protected every single day from the moment that it’s installed. When a termite finds the bait, they will take it back to their colony and essentially eliminate their entire colony before they can reach your home.
- You get to choose a termite warranty for your home through your provider. With Northwest, we offer a $1 Million Repair and Retreat Warranty. This warranty protects your home, even if termites end up causing damage.
- You’ll receive an annual inspection. This inspection allows your home to be checked for any signs of termite activity, which should allow your provider to catch any activity or damage before it begins.
Termite protection might not be at the top of your list, but when you think about the $5 billion in damage that termites cause every year, it is something to highly consider. If you’re purchasing a new construction home, contact your builder about what they have to offer your home in terms of termite protection.
If you have questions about the right type of termite protection or warranty for your home, give your local termite control provider a call. They will be able to answer all of your questions so you can make the right decision for your home and family.
