Termite Identification & Prevention

Due to our warm and humid weather here, termites are a common problem for homeowners. The most common species are subterranean termites, which require a lot of moisture to survive. Subterranean termites are attracted to water-damaged or decaying wood, only feeding on the soft parts of the wood.

Instead of living inside the wood they eat, subterranean termites live underground in the soil and build pathways above the ground to get to a food source using dirt, waste, and saliva. These pathways are called mud tubes and are often one of the first signs of termites in your home.

Termites are dangerous due to the damage they create, not because of diseases or biting or stinging. Depending on how long termites have been present on a property, they can cause costly and structurally dangerous damage. Catching termite infestations as early as possible is essential in order to prevent them from doing severe damage.

As mentioned above, subterranean termites gravitate to wood damaged by water or decaying. Moisture issues are not always apparent in a home, so you may not realize you have this underlying problem that can attract termites. For example, your home might have poor ventilation, which allows moisture to build up, affecting the home's structure. You may have also had flooding or leaks that weren't adequately repaired or dried out.

Termites can be challenging to spot because they don't live out in the open like other pests. It's best to familiarize yourself with the signs of termites to help identify infestations on your property.

One of the first signs to look for is termite swarmers, which are flying reproductives. Once swarmers land at a new nesting site, they drop their wings, usually in piles near baseboards or windowsills. You may notice mud tubes around your foundation and exterior walls.

Other signs of termites include hollow-sounding wood, peeling wallpaper, blistering paint, or buckling wood floors.

If you notice any of these signs, contact an Anderson pest expert immediately to get your termite problem under control.

The best way to get rid of termites is with professional pest control services. At Priority Pest And Contracting, we can help you with our tried and true termite control services.

We use liquid treatments, advanced bait stations, and trench methods when treating a subterranean termite problem. The products we use include Termidor and Termidor SD.

Learn more about our annual inspection and guarantee by contacting us at Priority Pest And Contracting, Inc. today!

To help you keep termites out of your home, practice these prevention tips:

• Keep your yard clear of dead trees, logs, stumps, leaf litter, sticks, and other organic debris.
• Create a barrier between your foundation and any dirt and mulch using crushed rocks.
• Check the exterior of your home for cracks in the foundation where termites can get inside.
• Repair any leaking pipes and faucets, fix ventilation problems, and use dehumidifiers in rooms such as the garage, basement, and bathrooms.

If you have a termite problem in your home, call us at Priority Pest And Contracting, Inc. Our residential and commercial termite treatments will return your home to a termite-free environment and keep it that way.