Here in North Carolina, warm days mean outdoor chores and yard and household pests. Some insect problems show up quickly. A little local treatment and they are gone. Other pest problems are like a disease. You don’t notice them until you see symptoms. By that time, the damage is already being done. You need a professional evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment. Triangle Pest Control proudly offers pest control in Apex, NC.
Termites are exactly such a pest. They actively look for soft wood, eat voraciously behind your walls and, by the time you suspect a problem, it might be too late. Understanding the biology and behavior of termites is important in identifying where they are nesting and feeding. Your termite control professional is trained to do just that.
How do you know you need a termite home inspection?
- You live in or are buying a home in an area of moderate to heavy activity. If you have a home in North Carolina, or building one, you are in a moderate to heavy Termite Infestation Probability Zone (TIP) according to the US Forest Service.
- You live in a home constructed of brick, vinyl siding or wood. In other words, the exterior construction of your home makes no difference, it is almost impossible to make a house termite proof. Termites build mud tunnels beneath the surface of the soil that allow them to bypass non-wood parts of house structure. Once inside termites attack the structural wooden beams.
- You have found a colony. The most common type of termite found in North Carolina is the Eastern subterranean termite. These termites live in colonies beneath the ground. One colony may have more than a million hungry termites.
- You see visible signs of termites. Tell-tale signs include mud tunnels, damaged wood, and swarmers. Termites build mud tubes beneath the surface to look for sources of wood. These tunnels extend over foundation walls and floor joists. The mud tubes are typically about the diameter of a pencil. Termites travel between their underground colonies and your house in these tunnels. Termite-damaged wood is usually hollowed out along the grain and has mud in the galleries. It often has a honeycombed appearance.
- You find discarded insect wings on the windowsill. Most termite species swarm or send out winged termites to start new colonies. This commonly happens in the spring as the weather becomes warmer. Termites that swarm are attracted to light and are often seen around windows and doors. If you see swarmers coming out of woodpiles or other places in your yard, it does not automatically mean your house is infested. But a professional termite home inspection is definitely warranted. On the other hand, if winged termites are seen coming from a porch, patio, or a foundation wall, or you see wings on the window sill, you have a termite infestation and should get a home termite inspection right away.
- Your neighbors have a termite problem or are having their yards treated. When termite colonies or their food source are disrupted, they build more mud tunnels looking for other locations. Swarmers from these colonies will establish other colonies throughout the neighborhood. So, after you thank your lucky stars that it’s not you, your next step is to call a professional for a termite home inspection and a termite control plan.
Termites cause over $5 billion in property damage every year. Whether you own a home in North Carolina, or are considering buying a home here, your termite control expert can provide a reliable termite home inspection and an effective termite control plan to help ensure that one of your most valuable assets is protected from damage by these silent destroyers. Read our guide on termites in NC!
An inspection is just the first step to getting rid of termites. Read about how to eliminate termites from your home and property for good in the free guide, “Termite Prevention Plan: 5 Steps to Avoid a Costly Infestation.”