Termites are a major concern for homeowners in the Southeast and especially in South Carolina. Here’s how to know if you have a termites.
Wood structures are at high risk, but don’t think they’re the only ones! Termites are capable of navigating through plaster, metal siding and other materials to feed on cabinets, floors, ceilings and wooden furniture inside your home. Recognizing the signs of termite infestation could save you thousands of dollars in repairs. Termites can feast on your home for quite a while before you see any visible damage.
Here’s what to look for:
- MUD TUBES foundation walls, exterior walls, wood beams or in crawlspaces
- CRACKED or bubbling paint.
- WOOD that sounds hollow when tapped.
- A TEMPORARY SWARM of winged insects in your home or from the soil around your home.
- DISCARDED WINGS from swarmers.
Termites are usually invisible, except for the sudden appearance of large termite swarms as the weather warms. The appearance of a swarm indoors is often one of the first signs of an infestation for a homeowner. Don’t wait for the damage to be done. If any of these signs look familiar, take the steps below to protect your home!
WOOD TO EARTH
- Minimize or eliminate the use of wood mulch.
- Keep crawlspaces and basements clear of wood debris, newspapers and excess moisture.
- Keep wooden fences, planter boxes and other wood items at least 2 feet from your foundation.
- Install shrubs, mulch and other landscaping at least 2 feet from the foundation of your home.
EXCESSIVE MOISTURE
- Fix plumbing leaks anywhere in the house, as they can cause moisture to accumulate.
- Place sprinkler heads away from your foundation and make sure that they don’t wet the walls.
- Make sure all air-conditioner/heater/dryer condensation and sump pump discharges are well away from your home’s foundation.
GROUND LEVEL
- Slope soil away from the house so surface water drains easily.
- Clean gutters and downspouts and keep splash blocks in place.
WOOD STRATEGIES
- Install shrubs, mulch and other landscaping at least 2 feet from the foundation of your home.
- Never bury wood scraps in backfill during construction.
- Keep firewood, lumber and wood scraps elevated off the ground and stored away from your home.
- Always use treated lumber in the contruction of decking or other exterior home features.
Along with the steps mentioned above, having an annual termite inspection is a key element in keeping your home protected.
It is important to your home inspected annually by a certified pest professional. Clark’s specialists will inspect your entire home for termite activity and conditions that may attract termites.
Left untreated, termites do more damage to American homes than fire and flooding combined. Since most homeowners insurance won’t cover the cost, you could be out big bucks even before you realize you have a problem. Termites can hide and thrive in your basement or yard without you seeing any immediate signs of damage. As long as they have food, moisture, shelter and optimal temperature, they’ll be content to eat you out of house and home.
Take the extra step. If you are a new Clark’s customer and wish to add termite protection, give us a call and we can inspect the entire home for a FREE quote!
Toll-Free: 866-781-4991 • Email: clarkscsr@clarkspest.com
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