Signs Of Termites

South Carolina's warm, humid climate provides the perfect breeding ground for many pests, but none are as silently destructive as termites. These small insects can cause significant damage to homes and properties, often going unnoticed until the damage is extensive. Whether you’re a homeowner or a prospective buyer, understanding the signs of termite infestations is crucial in protecting your investment.  In this article, we’ll identify the telltale signs of termite activity and offer insight into protecting your home (or business) from these wood-damaging pests!

What do termites look like?

Before we discuss the signs of termites, let's first familiarize ourselves with the members of a termite colony. Termites are social insects that live together in colonies consisting of different castes, each with specific functions.

• Termite workers
  Termite workers are about ⅛ to 3/8 inches long. They are generally creamy white to light beige in color and have soft, translucent bodies.
  
  Workers are not often seen because they typically live and work out of human sight, either underground or within the wood structures they infest. Their primary responsibility is to search for and gather food for the entire colony. 
  
  
• Termite soldiers
  Termite soldiers are larger than workers, measuring about ¼ inch in length. They also have a pale coloration, but their heads are darker, usually yellowish-brown to light brown. They also have large, dark brown to black mandibles that they use to defend the colony against predators.
  
  As their name suggests as we briefly mentioned above, soldiers are responsible for defending the entire colony from ants, spiders, beetles, and other predators that are likely to prey on these insects or steal their resources. Because their job keeps them below ground, property owners aren’t likely to see soldiers. 
  
  
• Termite reproductives 
  In every ant colony, there is a queen and a king. Queens are the largest members of the colonies, measuring up to about an inch in length. They have creamy white to light beige, robust bodies that can produce thousands of eggs daily during their reproductive lifespan. Although similar in color, kings are smaller than queens, typically growing up to ½ inch. Their sole purpose is to fertilize the eggs; they do not gather food or aid in defense.
  
  The reproductive caste of termites includes the termite swarmers, also known as alates. They are usually ¼ to 3/8 inch long, with dark brown to black bodies and two pairs of equally sized and shaped translucent wings.
  
  Given their function, property owners are more likely to see termite swarmers on or in their homes or structures. We’ll elaborate on this shortly. 

Signs of termites South Carolina property owners should be on the lookout for

• Mud tubes
  Termite workers build mud tubes, pencil-sized tunnels made of soil and termite saliva, to travel between their underground nests and food sources. They are often found along foundations, in crawl spaces, inside walls, and around other parts of structures.

• Wood damage
  Wood that has been damaged by termites may not be immediately obvious, as these insects consume it from the inside out, leaving a thin layer of wood on the surface. When tapped or probed, damaged wood may sound hollow or appear weakened. Wood damage may also cause blistering, warping, or swelling. It can also lead to sagging floors and ceilings and result in major structural issues.

• Cracked or peeling paint
  Subterranean termites can cause paint on wood to crack, bubble, or peel.

• Termite swarms
  Termite swarmers usually come out during certain times of the year when the conditions are favorable, such as in the spring or early summer after rainfall. If you see a termite swarm on your property, it doesn't always mean that you have an active termite infestation. However, if you find termite swarmers or discarded wings inside your home or structure, there's a high likelihood that termites are already present.

What to do if you spot signs of termites

If you’ve noticed any of the signs mentioned above, or even if you haven’t but want to be proactive in the fight against termites, contact Harris Pest Control today!

Our locally owned and family-operated pest control company offers effective termite control in Florence, Socastee, and Myrtle Beach, as well as to communities throughout the Pee Dee and Grand Strand areas.

How we exterminate termites and prevent re-infestations

We offer options for termite control, including termite baiting and liquid treatment. Our experts rely on the Sentricon® Termite Colony Elimination System to monitor and eliminate termite colonies effectively. We also offer Termitdor® SC for targeted termite control and exterior barrier treatments.

When you contact Harris for assistance in eliminating termites, we will begin by conducting a thorough termite inspection. After inspecting your property, we will suggest an industry-leading termite control solution tailored to your specific needs.

For homeowners who want protection from wood-destroying insects and other house-infesting pests, we highly recommend signing up for our Intelligent Choice Pest & Termite plan. See the plan features below, or give us a call to learn more!