Need-to-Know

What You Need to Know About Termites

What You Need to Know About Termites

Termites are ancient insects that eat dead wood and cellulose products like fallen leaves and detritus. In a natural environment, when a tree is old or diseased and falls to the ground, termites and other wood-boring insects will eventually help to “process” the fallen tree, returning nutrients to the ground to continue the cycle. Unfortunately, termites do not differentiate between the wood of a fallen tree and that in your house. They will eat the first source of food they come to—and that’s bad for homeowners.

Termites live in colonies. The colonies are made up of primary and secondary reproductives, nymphs, workers, and soldiers. Unlike ants, if the queen is eliminated there are plenty of other reproductives that can take over the egg-laying responsibilities. Termites require a different approach for control measures. There are several types of termites that live in North Carolina, with the most common being eastern subterranean termites and occasionally West Indian powder post termites (dry wood termites). Subterranean termites live underground and need constant moisture to survive. They create protective humidity controlled tunnels while searching for food above ground, and naturally expand their range as the colony grows. Powder post termites are a type of “dry wood termite,” meaning they live aboveground in wood and need very little moisture to survive. Typically, they infest furniture related items brought into North Carolina. Our winters are cold enough to prevent them from living outside year-round.

In most cases, homeowners will not be aware there are colonies on their property until the termites have found their way into the home and started to cause damage. Most new homes are treated during construction with a product that will typically control termites for five years. After that initial treatment’s effectiveness lessens, it is important for homeowners to re-treat the property or install a termite bait monitoring system to watch for signs of termites.

Common Signs of Termites

Here are some of the common signs you may have termites:

  • The presence of mud tubes running up exterior or interior walls, gaps in the foundation, door jambs, etc.
  • Damage to baseboards and drywall often leaves a “bubbled” effect where the paint on damaged wood appears to have “bubbling” where wood is eaten away
  • Wood that appears to be papery-thin and has multiple layers of papery-thin sheets (the softer wood is eaten, and the harder “summer” wood is left behind)
  • Wood that sounds hollow when you tap on it
  • Swarms of winged termites (usually in spring as the weather warms and after rainfall)
  • Clusters of wings in piles around the outside of your house, and possibly on the inside along window seals

Keeping Termites Away

While it is not possible to entirely eliminate the risk you will get termites, there are steps you can take to keep them from turning your house into an all-you-can-eat buffet. First, it is recommended for homeowners to contact a pest professional for a thorough termite inspection and termiticide treatment of your home for lasting protection from termites. Below are some steps you can take to inspect/ help protect your home yourself:

  • Eliminate moisture in your home by ensuring your foundation and crawl space (if you have one) are kept dry (professionally installed commercial dehumidifiers work great when moisture is a confirmed problem)
  • Repair any leaks in pipes and faucets
  • Use splash blocks or hoses to divert runoff from gutters away from the house
  • Seal openings to your house around pipes and other entry points
  • Never store firewood near your house
  • Keep wood mulch away from the foundation of your home and keep bushes trimmed so they do not touch your house
  • Make sure that any wood on your house does not come in contact with the ground
  • Do a periodic home inspection, looking closely at the foundation and porch/deck for signs of termites
  • If you buy used wood furniture, check it closely to make sure you are not bringing someone else’s termites into your house

Research shows that termites cause more than $5 billion in damage every year. The good news is that close monitoring can catch many problems early, before too much damage is done. Tools like the Sentricon® Termite Colony Elimination System, Premise®, and Termidor® are available to eliminate these hungry insects.

If you believe you may have termites, don’t wait to get your home inspected! Give Clegg’s a call. Our pest professionals can help tell you if you have termites and offer a solution to meet your specific needs. Contact us today.

Savings Opportunities

$100 OFF

New Initial Termite Services

Some restrictions may apply and cannot be combined with any other offers. Limit one per household. Applies to new initial termite services only. Does not include termite reports for closings or termite pretreatment services. No cash value. Must be 18 or older to redeem

$100 OFF

Initial Moisture Control Services

Some restrictions may apply and cannot be combined with any other offers. Limit one per household. Applies to initial moisture services only. No Cash Value. Must be 18 or older to redeem.

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Clegg's Locations

Asheville
276-B Haywood Rd.
Asheville, NC 28806
Charlotte
1520 Industrial Center Cir.
Charlotte, NC 28213
Clinton
205 Wall St.
Clinton, NC 28328
Durham
2401 Reichard St.
Durham, NC 27705
Fayetteville
500 S. Eastern Blvd.
Fayetteville, NC 28301
Greenville
864 Rivit St.
Greenville, NC 27834
Kernersville
740 Indeneer Dr.
Kernersville, NC 27284
Morehead City
2700 Bridges St.
Morehead City, NC 28557
New Bern
218 Kale Rd.
New Bern, NC 28562
Raleigh
3751 Bastion Ln.
Raleigh, NC 27604
Smithfield
1520 S. Brightleaf Blvd.
Smithfield, NC 27577
Southport
4075 Old Bridge Rd. SE
Southport, NC 28461
Wilmington
3417 Enterprise Dr.
Wilmington, NC 28405

Current Promotions

$39 OFF

Initial General Pest Control Service

Residential and new customers only. Must sign up for pest control maintenance plan. Must be 18 or older to redeem. Some restrictions may apply and cannot be combined with any other offers. Limit one per household. Call your local branch for more details.

$100 OFF

New Initial Termite Services

Some restrictions may apply and cannot be combined with any other offers. Limit one per household. Applies to new initial termite services only. Does not include termite reports for closings or termite pretreatment services. No cash value. Must be 18 or older to redeem

15% OFF

Initial Bed Bug Control Services

Residential and New Customers Only. Call your local branch for details! Excludes Bedding Encasements. Some restrictions may apply and cannot be combined with any other offers. Limit one per household.

15% OFF

Clegg's Military Discount

Are you a current or former member of our nation’s military? We would like to show our thanks and appreciation for your service in the form of a special discount on Clegg’s Pest Control services. Some restrictions may apply. Limit one per household.

$100 OFF

Initial Moisture Control Services

Some restrictions may apply and cannot be combined with any other offers. Limit one per household. Applies to initial moisture services only. No Cash Value. Must be 18 or older to redeem.

All Locations

Click on a location below to learn more about services, solutions, and pests in your area.

276-B Haywood Rd.
Asheville, NC 28806
1520 Industrial Center Cir.
Charlotte, NC 28213
205 Wall St.
Clinton, NC 28328
2401 Reichard St.
Durham, NC 27705
500 S. Eastern Blvd.
Fayetteville, NC 28301
864 Rivit St.
Greenville, NC 27834
740 Indeneer Dr.
Kernersville, NC 27284
2700 Bridges St.
Morehead City, NC 28557
218 Kale Rd.
New Bern, NC 28562
3751 Bastion Ln.
Raleigh, NC 27604
1520 S. Brightleaf Blvd.
Smithfield, NC 27577
4075 Old Bridge Rd. SE
Southport, NC 28461
3417 Enterprise Dr.
Wilmington, NC 28405

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