Spotting Termite Damage Early in Myrtle Beach Homes

Termites are a homeowner's nightmare. These tiny pests can cause significant damage to homes, often before the owner even realizes there's a problem. In the humid and warm climate of Myrtle Beach, termites thrive, making it essential for property owners to be vigilant. Early detection is key to preventing extensive damage and costly repairs. This blog post will guide you through recognizing the early signs of termite damage in your Myrtle Beach home and let you know how our termite control experts can help you protect against these pests.

Understanding termite behavior

Understanding how termites operate is crucial to spot termite damage effectively. Eastern subterranean termites are the most common type in Myrtle Beach. They build their nests or colonies underground, and a single colony can contain thousands to millions of wood-destroying pests. 

Although they primarily nest in the ground, these insects create mud tubes to access food sources above ground. Termite workers feed on cellulose found in wood, paper, and other organic materials. Unfortunately, their eating habits can result in minor to significant damage. This makes early detection crucial. However, identifying termite damage is a bit more complicated than it sounds. That’s because most damage that occurs early on is not visible to homeowners. Over time and as the infestation grows, termite damage becomes more apparent.

To avoid an unpleasant discovery, we highly recommend Myrtle Beach and Grand Strand homeowners know how to spot signs of termite activity. 

Early warning signs of termite infestation

Early detection of termite activity is essential for minimizing damage. Here are some key indicators that suggest your home may have a termite problem:

• Mud tubes
  As we touched on above, subterranean termites construct mud tubes as protective tunnels between their colony and food sources. These tubes are often found on exterior walls, foundations, or crawl spaces. Inspecting these areas regularly can help you catch an infestation early.
• Hollow-sounding wood
  Termites consume wood from the inside out, leaving a thin outer layer intact on the surface. Tap on wooden structures; if it sounds hollow or papery, this could indicate internal termite damage.
• Discarded wings
  Swarming is how termites reproduce and spread their colonies. After mating, termite swarmers shed their wings near windowsills or light fixtures. Finding piles of discarded wings inside your home is a strong sign of an active infestation.
• Blistering or bubbling paint
  As termites eat away at wood beneath surfaces like paint or wallpaper, air pockets can form, causing blistering or bubbling effects on these coverings.

Termite prevention measures 

While spotting early signs is crucial for addressing existing infestations promptly, taking preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of termite problems. To that end, we suggest implementing the following termite prevention measures: 

• Moisture control
  Since many termites thrive in moist conditions, fixing leaks and ensuring proper drainage around your home’s foundation and in your crawl space can make your property less inviting.
• Seal entry points
  Check for cracks and gaps in your foundation, walls, and around doors and windows. Seal these areas to prevent termites from entering your home. Ensure that all vents are properly screened, and install door sweeps on exterior doors.
• Create a barrier
  Use termite-resistant materials around your home’s foundation, such as pressure-treated wood.
• Remove wood debris
  Keeping firewood and other wooden debris away from your home's perimeter reduces potential food sources for termites.
• Maintain distance between wood and soil
  Ensure that there’s no direct contact between the soil and wooden elements of your home. This includes trimming plants, trees, and shrubs so they don’t touch the house, as well as making sure wooden decks or steps are not in contact with the ground.

Myrtle Beach termite control pros

The best way to protect your home from termites and the damage they cause is to partner with a local pest control company that specializes in Myrtle Beach termite control services. Harris Pest Control has been helping South Carolina homeowners protect their homes from termites since 1973 and would love the opportunity to help you eliminate and prevent termite infestations! 

Termite inspections & control

Harris Pest Control provides thorough termite inspections to assess any active termite problems, damage, and potential entry points. After the inspection, we’ll recommend the best treatment, either a Sentricon® Termite Colony Elimination System or a liquid barrier treatment with Termidor® SC. Both treatments are effective, with Sentricon offering 24/7 protection through discreet bait stations and no need for drilling, and Termidor targeting existing termites and preventing future infestations by creating a protective soil barrier.

Guaranteed termite protection

Harris Pest Control offers a guaranteed termite protection plan with a one-year re-treatment warranty. If termites return during the warranty period, we’ll send a termite control specialist out to re-treat your home at no extra charge.

CL-100 inspections

If you’re buying or selling a home in Myrtle Beach, you may need a CL-100 Termite Letter. In addition to our treatments, Harris Pest Control offers CL-100 inspections to provide the required South Carolina Wood Infestation Report, which is essential for closing the deal. This inspection identifies any visible termite infestations or wood-destroying insects, evidence of past infestations, and termite damage caused by insects or wood-decaying fungi in accessible areas. 

Contact us for help stopping termite damage in Myrtle Beach! 

It pays to be proactive when it comes to termites. Contact our licensed pest management company today to request your free termite quote and find out how our team stops termites from damaging homes in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and our coastal South Carolina service area! Your termite-free home is just a click away; reach out today!