NCPMA Urges NC Homeowners to Fight Termites Now

April 4, 2011 - PRLog -- The NC Pest Management Association (NCPMA) released a statement in March, urging homeowners across North Carolina to have their properties professionally inspected for termite infestation in light of recent damp conditions and in anticipation of termite swarming season.  

Subterranean termites--a highly destructive termite species readily found in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill-Cary region of North Carolina--begin to swarm locally in early Spring.  Feeding day and night, subterranean termites not only are known to devour wooden structural components of homes, but also can destroy flooring, wallpaper, and paper-based wall boards as well.  The destructive pests cost homeowners across the US more than $5 billion in home repairs annually, according to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA).

Often, swarming termites are indicative of a larger problem.

"Winged termites, or swarmers, aren't the culprits of structural damage themselves," says Donnie Shelton, President & CEO of Triangle Pest Control, a Raleigh-based pest exterminator.  "Rather, swarming is how termites relocate to create new colonies  However, by the time you see termite swarmers around your household, you may be facing a huge termite problem."

Other signs of possible infestation include finding swarmers' discarded wings around your home, including areas like window sills and baseboards.

Shelton notes that termite swarmers often are mistaken with flying ants.

"The biggest difference between the two is the shape of the body.  Flying ants have a segmented body whereas termites have a uniform body shape.  Ants also have angled antenna while termites' antenna are completely straight."

If in doubt about the identity of the pest invading your home, call a professional.

"Always err on the side of caution.  If you believe you may have swarming termites on your property, contact a pest control professional.  A trained pest exterminator will be able to identify termites with certainty and then properly administer treatments to eliminate a termite infestation."

Triangle Pest Control has offered professional termite extermination services to the Triangle region of North Carolina since 2003.

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Founded in 2003, Triangle Pest Control is the state leader in Bed Bug Management. A Raleigh extermination company, Triangle Pest Control specializes in an integrated pest management process that includes both elimination and prevention. The company has a firm commitment to working only with materials that have maximize the safety of families, children, and pets and is ranked #1 in customer service among Raleigh pest control companies.