Ask the average homeowner what their number-one concern is and you’ll likely hear the usual suspects—fire, water damage, natural disasters and break-ins.

The fact is, though, that termites cause more annual damage to U.S. homes than floods, fires, tornados and hurricanes combined.

The Homeowner’s Guide to Termites

Each year in America,

Termite Overview

Termites play a very important biological role: breaking down wood to a cellular level to be repurposed by nature. The trouble is, they can’t tell the difference between an old tree stump in a forest and a 2x4 stud in your house.

In the Southeastern United States, the most common species is the Eastern Subterranean Termite. As their name suggests, these termites live underground in colonies. Once a colony has matured, the termites will seek to reproduce and establish new colonies near other available food sources.

This guide will help you, the homeowner, to be aware of termites and the potential warning signs of a termite problem.

Approximately 600,000 homes

are damaged by termites

Roughly $5 billion are spent on

termite control and damage repair

The average minimum cost of

home termite repair is $3,000

Conducive Conditions

In our region of the country, there is an average of 10 to 13 termite colonies per acre of land. This means that, as a homeowner, it’s important to understand the conditions that are conducive to termite activity.

Moisture Near Your HomeSubterranean termites require a moist environment to live. This means it is critical to control any moisture near your home, especially close to the foundation.

Tips for controlling moisture:o Check around your home for any puddling or

standing water. Ensure that your gutters or diverters are leading rainwater away from the house.

o Ensure that your irrigation system or lawn sprinklers are not soaking the siding on your house or leaving puddles too close to the foundation.

o Check for leaky vent pipes and divert any drainage away from the home.

o If your home has a crawl space, ensure there is a proper moisture barrier between the house and the crawl space or foundation to reduce the amount of moisture under your home.

Wood-to-Earth ContactTypically, the wood that frames your house does not touch the ground directly. This means that termites must bridge across the concrete slab or other foundation to get to the wood, which they can do using tubes constructed from mud and other materials.

However, many homes have wooden fences or decks that attach to the house and make direct contact with the ground. These areas are more vulnerable to a termite attack.

Tips for controlling wood-to-earth contact:o Don’t stack woodpiles or other wooden

materials next to or against the house.o Don’t run landscape timbers directly up to

the foundation or siding—leave a minimum of six inches between the timber and the home.

o If you have an existing wood fence or deck that attaches to your home and makes direct contact with the ground, ensure that it is inspected regularly for termite activity.

o If you are planning to construct a wood deck or fence, ensure that there is no wood-to-earth contact.

Crawl SpacesThe space under your home can be an attractive area for termites if conditions are right. Crawl spaces are often vulnerable because the middle of the space is not typically treated for termites—only the perimeter of the home and the foundation walls are treated. As a homeowner, it’s critical that you monitor your crawl space and ensure you aren’t attracting termites.

Crawl space tips:o Don’t store anything in your crawl

space, especially anything made of wood or wood byproducts.

o Ensure the crawl space is properly ventilated to prevent moisture buildup.

o Periodically check the space for standing water, puddling or leaky pipes. Remember—termites love moisture!

Warning Signs

Along with being aware of the conditions that are ideal for termite infestation, it’s important to know the warning signs that could indicate a possible problem. If you notice any of the following in or around your home, consider calling a professional for further inspection.

Swarmer WingsThis is usually the first sign of termites a homeowner will see. During the reproduction cycle, alates (the winged termites responsible for reproducing) leave the colony in swarms and attempt to mate. Only a very small percentage of the “swarmers” will succeed, while the majority will die off after falling to the ground and shedding their wings.

If you find a pile of white wings on a windowsill or in another area of your home, it could be a sign of a termite infestation.

Mud TubesTermites can travel to food sources and bridge across gaps in tubes, which they construct from mud, saliva and feces. Outside the home, look for mud tubes along the foundation that may lead up to and under the siding, a doorframe or windowsill. Inside, keep an eye around doors and windows for what may look like dirt or sand.

New Construction

If you are planning new construction on your land or an addition to your home, it’s critical that you contact your termite treatment provider for pretreatment. If you currently have a termite warranty on your home and connect a slab to the foundation or otherwise add onto the home without conducting pretreatment, you could void the termite warranty.

• If you are building a new structure that is not attached to your home, consult with your provider to discuss treatment options. Also, ensure that the construction plans don’t include any wood-to-earth contact.

• If you don’t have a termite warranty or treatment provider and are planning an addition or new construction, now is a perfect time to schedule a termite consultation.

Protect Your Home

If you spot a conducive condition or termite warning sign in your home, it’s critical that you contact a professional immediately. Warning signs often don’t appear until an infestation already exists.

If you don’t currently have termite treatment service on your house, call a professional to schedule an inspection today. For most of us, a house is the single biggest investment we’ll make in our lifetime—doesn’t it make sense to protect that investment?

An initial termite inspection from a professional treatment provider should be free of charge. If a company tells you they charge for an initial inspection, call someone else.

When deciding on a termite service provider, make sure you do your homework. Check around online for reviews or testimonials from previous clients; look to see how long the company has been in business, what their reputation is, and whether they are affiliated with the Georgia Pest Control Association (GPCA), the Florida Pest Management Association (FPMA) and/or the National Pest Management Association (NPMA).

Just like buying a car or house, it’s important to perform due diligence so that you can make an informed decision. There are many pest control companies out there—but only a few truly have your best interest in mind.

Service Areas

South Carolina(912) 965-0831

Brunswick, GA(855) 373-2248

Savannah, GA(912) 965-0831

Warner Robins, GA(478) 922-1221

St. Augustine, FL(386) 673-2552

Jacksonville, FL(904) 261-7002

Orlando, FL(407) 240-3331

Daytona Beach, FL(386) 673-2552

Ormond Beach, FL(386) 673-2552

www.PeachtreePest.com • 855-373-2248 • @peachtreepest

Questions? Email us at info@peachtreepest.com