Subterranean Termites

Among all the pests that can cause problems for you and your home, termites rank the highest. They are insidious creatures often consuming a home from the inside without the homeowner even recognizing there is a problem. Regular termite inspection is a must, but as we all know, knowledge is power! To help preserve the quality and integrity of your home, there are some questions you should be able to answer:

• What are Subterranean Termites?
• What are the Signs of Termites?
• How often should I have a Termite Inspection?

What are Subterranean Termites?

As the name suggests, subterranean termites live underground, forming massive colonies in buried wood. Termites consume the wood, converting it to fuel. When the initial feeding supply is exhausted, they migrate to nearby wooden structures. Residential structures offer a vast supply of food to support the growth of the colony. The total number of individuals in a colony of subterranean termites may be more than a million termites! Subterranean termites can cause a great deal of structural damage to your home.

What are the Signs of Termites?

Subterranean termites travel from their colony to your home through “shelter tubes”, also known as “mud tubes”. These shelter tubes may be visible on any surface near the ground, such as: slabs, foundation walls, floor framing, etc. Finding these tubes can be an indication that subterranean termites are nearby.

The signs of termites also include visual identification. While you may never see a queen, you may see other termites such as workers or swarmers. Workers are small, white insects. They are blind and very sensitive to heat, cold and dry air. Workers are responsible for building the mud tubes. Swarmers, or winged termites, are reproductive termites: their purpose is to leave the colony and start a new colony in a new area. Seeing workers or swarmers are definite signs of termites. If you see either of these signs, do not wait! Call us for a termite inspection immediately!

Flying Ants are often confused with subterranean termites. Here are some helpful tips to help you tell them apart.

• Termites have a thick waist and ants have a narrow waist.
• Termites have straight antennae and ants have elbowed antennae.
• Termites have four wings that are all equal in length.
• Flying Ants have four wings however, two are larger and two are smaller.

Other Wood Destroying Insects

Along with Subterranean Termites, there are a few other wood destroying insects that we inspect for and help control:

• Powder Post Beetles are small brown or black beetles that infest both moist and dry seasoned woods. Powder Post Beetles are indiscriminate, infesting either hard or soft woods. Because of this, they can damage both the structural system of your house as well as wood floors, furniture, and cabinetry.
• Old House Borers are another species of Beetle reaching up to an inch in length. Unlike the Powder Post Beetle, Old House Borers infest only softwoods. They are typically introduced into a home at construction time and are particularly common in Log Homes.

Like other wood destroying insects, Powder Post Beetles and Old House Borers can be controlled but only if properly identified during an annual insect infestation inspection.

How often should I have a Termite Inspection?

A termite inspection is an essential tool in your pest control strategy. Typically, you should have a termite inspection as part of an annual insect damage inspection. If you are particularly at risk, find water damaged rotting wood, or if you find any evidence of prior subterranean termites, then you should consider having semi-annual inspections.

There is no substitution for a professional termite inspection. Our trained professional technicians have the equipment, knowledge, and experience to recognize the signs of termites, and to determine which treatment is right for you, your home, and your family. We at Carolina Pest Management can protect your home from termites, but only if you call for a termite inspection. And don’t forget: we will give a free termite inspection to every first time customer. Just call us today at 1-800-NOPEST and mention this web site to schedule your free termite inspection.

We offer The Sentricon® Termite Colony Elimination System.

Carolina Pest is An Authorized Operator of the Sentricon® System.

Please consult a professional pest management company to make a positive identification on any insect. You may contact our office for a free termite inspection.