Termite prevention is essential throughout the tri-county area including Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, James Island, Summerville, and the surrounding islands. According to the Termite Infestation Probability Zones, South Carolina is in a very heavy termite zone with significant potential for termite damage (TIP Zones 1).
When termites live away from homes, towns, and cities, they can bring positive outcomes. For instance, they break down the decaying elements of plants, trees, and any other components made of cellulose. Therefore, when termites are eating, they’re also discharging nutrients into the soil.
In your home, when termites are feeding on wood and other structures, they’re creating a nuisance that can quickly escalate into a serious situation. In Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, and the surrounding islands, there are several kinds of termites and swarming seasons. With the help of a professional pest control company, you can use a termite prevention plan to get control of termites and their voracious appetites.
In this article, we’ll cover the four signs of termites, how to prevent them, and what to do if you identify termites on your property.
Four signs that you NEED termite prevention
Termites do not attack wood structures openly, so spotting their presence can be hard before a lot of damage occurs.
- Termites start their journey by chowing down on water-damaged wood. They can move onto books, insulation, wallpaper, and furniture. You may have a termite infestation when wood particles from doors and windows start crumbling, feel hollow or spongy.
- Since dry wood termites eat wood, if you see little wood pellets that are kind of like coffee grounds or sawdust, you may be looking at some termite excrement.
- Piles of termite wings on your window sills or floor may indicate a termite colony is nearby.
- Do you see little mud tubes where tree roots meet the ground, or where your house meets the ground? As their name suggests, subterranean termites like to live and nest underground while their food source may be above ground. Those little mud tubes afford protection from moisture loss, predators, and light as they forage.
How to use termite prevention in charleston to avoid infestation?
Termites thrive in moist environments, which as we know are abundant in Charleston, North Charleston, and Summerville, so keep your home clean and dry. In addition, here are a few other methods that can prove advantageous to get rid of these costly insects.
- Ensure that no rain or gutter water is seeping inside the walls or roof of your home. Get the pipes and tubes of your home checked and de-clogged if necessary. Confirm there are no vents or openings that would allow water in.
- Use dehumidifiers to control moisture in crawl spaces.
- Have your crawl space inspected by a certified pest control technician annually.
- Check for water-damaged wood inside your home; if you find any, replace it and fix the cause immediately. Eliminate wood-to-ground contact.
- Eliminate organic material piling up inside, around and on your property.
- Trim trees and shrubs to make sure that they aren’t in contact with your property.
How to fix a termite infestation?
Call our Charleston-based termite professional immediately who understands termite prevention needs specific to the area, region, and environment! After that, our trained experts can assess the infestation and begin a personalized, permanent solution to protect your home. . A Termite Colony Elimination System is the best protection against Formosan and other subterranean termites.