Termites

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Subterranean Termite

Subterranean termites are social insects that live in large colonies underground and are a serious threat to homes across the Carolinas. They construct protective tunnels made of mud and saliva in order to reach above ground wood in your home. If mud tunnels are visible on the walls or foundation of your home, it is highly likely that you are experiencing a subterranean termite infestation.

The most visible evidence that your home is infested with termites is the appearance of winged reproductive termites known as “swarmers” and the first sign homeowners notice is the swarmers on windowsills or near indoor lights. Termite wings may be found on windowsills or stuck to cobwebs indoors. They emerge by the thousands in the spring months looking for mates and a place to start a new colony. Swarmers in or around your home are a sure sign you need termite protection.

Don’t pile excessive mulch around your home. The mulch typically used around homes is often a soft wood like pine and is the subterranean termites favorite food. If you stack firewood up against your home, you might as well leave out a welcome mat for the termites. Don’t leave old tree stumps in your landscape. Dead trees are desirable to termites, almost as much as your house, and can serve as a launch pad for an attack on your home.

Formosan Termite

The Formosan subterranean termite is an invasive species of termite and is often nicknamed the super termite because of its destructive habits. This is because of the large size of its colonies, and the termites’ ability to consume wood at a rapid rate. A single colony may contain several million individuals (compared with several hundred thousand termites for other subterranean termite species) that forage up to 300 feet in soil. A mature Formosan colony can consume as much as 13 ounces of wood a day and severely damage a structure in as little as three months. Because of its population size and range, the presence of a colony poses serious threats to nearby structures. Once established, Formosan subterranean termites have never been eradicated from an area.

The Formosan subterranean termite is present in large numbers in coastal S.C., particularly in the Charleston area, with isolated infestations in upstate York County as well. Where moisture regularly collects inside the wall or other cavities of a building, say from faulty plumbing or broken roof tiles, the Formosan termite can develop a subsidiary colony nest, which may not require contact with the ground to ensure its survival. This is particularly prevalent in areas of high humidity where wood moisture is above average.

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