If you are living in Mount Pleasant and surrounding Charleston areas, termites can be a serious home problem. That’s why it’s so important to have an annual termite inspection in order to detect any termite activity early on. There are several types of termites that may inhabit your area and each type has different signs associated with it. Some of the most common signs of termite damage include wood that is discolored or appears to be crumbling, buckled paint, visible tunnels on the wood, and wings near doorways or window sills. In addition to termite inspections, there are steps you can take to minimize any potential damage such as eliminating moisture build-up around the foundation, keeping trees and shrubs trimmed away from siding and walls, inspecting areas around gutters for potential leak spots and more. With these tips and a termite inspection annually, you can rest assured your home is safe from termites in Mount Pleasant.
In this guide, we’ll go over the following:
- Types of Termites in Mount Pleasant
- Signs & Damage of Termites
- How to Prevent Termites
- Termite Inspections in Mount Pleasant
- How to Get Rid of Termites
Mount Pleasant Termite Types
The most common types of termites in Mount Pleasant are Eastern Subterranean termites – but there are some cases of Drywood termites as well.
Subterranean vs Drywood Termites
Subterranean termites make mud tubes to tunnel through the ground and invade your home from below while Drywood nest directly in the wood via attics and other entryways from above. Drywood termites live in the wood they feed on and are mainly problematic in coastal areas, but some do tend to find their way to Mount Pleasant.
Eastern Subterranean
Found in the warm, moist soil of South Carolina and near damp or rotting wood (their favorites!), Eastern subterranean termites are the most common species in the Mount Pleasant area. These pests live in the soil and build extensive mud tubes to get to the wood they eat.
Drywood
Drywood termite colonies are much smaller than subterranean colonies and it takes them a long time to do significant amounts of damage. Since they don’t come from the soil, there will be no dirt or mud tubes associated with their damage. Drywood termites require a specialized treatment whenever they become an issue.
Formosan Subterranean
Formosan termites are very active in the coastal South Carolina area. Formosan termites are a type of Subterranean termite that reproduces at a much higher rate than Eastern Subterranean termites. A colony of Formosan termites can create more damage in a smaller period of time. This makes it critical to stay vigilant against these termites in particular.
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Signs & Damage of Termites
It’s absolutely critical to be on the lookout for signs of termites to prevent them from establishing a colony and taking a bite out of your home.
Mud Tubes
Swarming and Shed Wings
Blistered or Hollow Wood and Sagging Floors
Cracked Paint
Maze-Like Tunnels
- Fecal Droppings
How to Prevent Termites
In addition to looking for signs of termites, there are a few other best practices you can use to discourage termites from choosing your home to infest.
- Discard any rotting wood or old tree stumps from your property.
- Keep water pipes in your home maintained and regularly repair leaky faucets.
- Seal off all cracks from your home to the outside.
- Keep your drainage systems unblocked at all times and route them away from your home.
- Place piles of wood, like firewood or mulch, far from your home’s foundation.
- Minimize wood to soil contact near your home.
- Put bushes and landscaping at least two feet from the edge of your home.
- Regularly look for signs of termites and arrange for a yearly inspection.
Termite Inspection in Mount Pleasant, SC
It is important to have a termite inspection done regularly in Mount Pleasant to identify and treat any termite problems early.
What to expect with termite inspection:
- 1-2 hours for inspection
- The inspector will review: attic, garage, baseboards, walls, windows, crawl spaces, door frames and the inside of cabinets to name a few, foundation, walls, roof & surrounding property
- Check interior and exterior of home for termite signs
- Please make sure technician as access to any of these areas for proper inspection
How to Get Rid of Termites in Mount Pleasant, SC
If you’ve discovered signs of termites in your home Mount Pleasant there’s no need to panic, but you should act quickly. If you want to eradicate an infestation completely, the best way to do so is to call a Terminix expert who will be able to quickly identify the source of the problem and apply the right solution.