PREPPING YOUR AIKEN HOME FOR TERMITE INVASIONS

When they’re left untreated, termites can end up costing homeowners hundreds to thousands of dollars in property damage, so how can you protect your Aiken home from these pests? Here’s what local residents should know about what termites look like, how to tell if your home has termites, the signs of an infestation, and how Aiken Pest Control can help you get rid of termites.

What Do Termites In Aiken Look Like?

You can identify the termites in your Aiken home if you know what the different kinds of termites look like, such as:

Subterranean termites: Subterranean termites are the most common type of termite you’ll find in South Carolina, and they like to build elaborate tunnels underground. Most of these termites have cream-colored or pale bodies with large mandibles that make it easy for them to break off wood pieces.

Drywood termites: Drywood termites are unique because they don’t prefer moist or water-damaged wood as most termites do. These critters have large heads but smaller mandibles and darker wings than subterranean termites.

Formosan termites: Formosan termites can infest shrubs, trees, and outdoor structures as well as homes or buildings. Their coloring can range from creamy white to brown, and they can grow up to half-an-inch long. 

How Do I Know If My Aiken Home Has Termites?

While you can look for the signs of a termite problem in your Aiken home, it can still take up to eight years for any kind of noticeable damage to appear. The easiest way to know if your home has termites is by hiring a professional from a pest management company to do an inspection. 

You can hire a specialist if you suspect termites, but it’s also recommended that everyone have them perform annual inspections, even if you do not see signs of termites. Since the signs of an infestation take so long to appear, yearly inspections can catch termite problems before they’ve caused significant damage. 

What Does A Termite Infestation In Aiken Look Like?

Even with annual inspections from a pest management professional, it’s never a bad idea to keep your eyes peeled for potential termite damage. Here’s what the signs of an infestation can look like in Aiken:

Swarms or discarded wings: During the springtime, reproductive termites will emerge from their tunnels and fly in swarms while they look for a mate. You may not see the actual swarm around your property, but if they decide to nest in your home, you may find piles of discarded wings near windowsills or doors in your home.

Wood damage: Termites hollow out wood and build tunnels inside of it. You may find maze-like patterns in your wood flooring, walls, or furniture. This wood may also sound hollow when you tap on it.

Mud tubes: Subterranean termites build mud tubes in the soil to have easy access to moisture and food without going out in the open. You may find these tiny tubes located around your foundation.

Frass: Drywood termite droppings, which are wood-colored and may look like sawdust, are called frass. You may find frass piled inside your home or even near your foundation.

Bubbling or peeling paint: If it looks like the paint on your drywall is peeling, bubbling, or has been damaged by water, termites could be the culprit. Termites introduce extra moisture to your walls and floors, and the result can look like water damage. 

How Does Aiken Pest Control Get Rid Of Termites?

If you’re seeing signs of termite damage or have a reason to suspect these pests may be living in your home, there’s only one effective way to get rid of them, and that’s by working with Aiken Pest Control. We’ve been serving Aiken, the Midlands, and other surrounding areas for more than fifty years. Our termite control services begin with a thorough inspection of your Aiken home, and from there, we’ll craft an individualized treatment plan that gets rid of these pests permanently.

Don’t give termites the chance to cause damage in your home or to cost you thousands of dollars in repairs. Call us today at Aiken Pest Control to learn more about how our termite control services work.