Give Yourself The Gift Of A Termite-Free Home This Christmas In Pee Dee

Why termites are a year-round concern in the Pee Dee area

Some pests take the winter off. In the fall, many pests get into homes simply to find a quiet place to rest through the coldest months of the year. Once spring arrives, they move outside again without much fanfare.

Unfortunately, termites are not one of these minimally problematic pests. Termites are pests that remain active all year and cause many problems for as long as they’re around. Our mild climate is one reason termites thrive in Pee Dee and the Grand Strand areas, including Florence and Myrtle Beach. Subterranean termites love warm, humid weather, so there is no shortage of these pests in our region. 

However, termites can remain active all year, even in colder climates. If they are outdoors, termites move further underground as the weather gets colder. Going deep enough, they can get below the frost line, where the temperature remains relatively constant. Our frost line in South Carolina is shallow, so termites don’t have to go too deep. 

Furthermore, as soon as termites enter your home, they don’t have to worry about winter. Your climate-controlled home provides the perfect conditions for termites to stay active no matter the time of year.

Signs of termite activity around your home

The most significant problem with termites is that they can remain undetected for so long. The entire time they’re in your house, they’ll silently cause damage. Usually, by the time you discover the problem, they’ve caused extensive damage to the wooden structures in your Pee Dee home, sometimes making your house unsafe.

Knowing the signs of termite activity around your home can help you identify a termite infestation. These signs include: 

• Mud tubes- These pencil-width tunnels allow termites to travel from the ground to other areas. If exposed to air, termites will dry out; these tubes allow them to travel safely from place to place. You will most often find them on your foundation walls.
• Wood damage- Termites are known for damaging wood, but they do so from the inside out, so wood damage is not immediately apparent. Look for small holes and listen for a hollow sound when you knock on wood to check for damage.
• Peeling paint or wallpaper- A termite infestation often causes the paint or wallpaper in your house to peel, bubble, or crack.
• Sticking doors and windows- If you have trouble opening or closing your doors or windows, it may be due to termite damage. Changes in humidity can also cause these issues, but it’s best not to ignore this potential sign.

If you have any concerns about termites, it’s better to be safe than sorry. The professionals at Harris Pest Control can inspect your home to determine if termites are present.

Why the holidays are a great time for termite prevention

With everything on your to-do list, you may think putting off termite prevention until after the holidays would be better. However, this is the perfect time to give yourself the gift that keeps on giving. 

Enacting a termite prevention plan now provides you with peace of mind. You won’t have to spend any of your holiday worrying that termites are quietly eating away at your house.

By implementing a termite control plan now, you can also ensure that active termites are stopped. If termites are already in your house, the sooner you eliminate them, the less damage they’ll be able to cause.

Finally, by giving yourself the gift of termite protection this holiday season, you can enter the new year knowing that your house is fully protected from termites moving forward. Start the year fresh with termite control for your Pee Dee home.