The Telltale Signs of Termite Infestation

April 25, 2011 - PRLog -- Termites are silent destroyers.  These pests, particularly the subterranean termite which is common to the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill-Cary region, often can cause thousands of dollars in damage to a home’s structural components while going totally unnoticed for long stretches of time.  

In all, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) estimates that termites cost American homeowners a whopping $5 billion in home repairs annually.

While it is true that termites largely do their damage out of sight, there are several telltale signs of termite infestation.  One is witnessing termite swarms around your property.

“Spring here in the Triangle is when termites start to swarm,” says Donnie Shelton, President & CEO of Triangle Pest Control, a Raleigh-based pest extermination company.  “Swarming is when winged termites, or swarmers, fly from parent colonies to establish new colonies.  Although swarmers themselves aren’t the culprits of damage, seeing them on your property is a signal that termite infestation is nearby.”

Swarmers also discard their wings after mating.  When infestation is present, it is common to find piles of left-behind wings around a home, particularly windowsills, door frames, and next to the foundation.

A third sign of termite infestation is mud tubes.  Subterranean termites depend on moisture for survival.  As a result, they build extensive systems of tunnels and earthen tubes to reach food sources on the surface, as Shelton elaborates.

“Most commonly, you’ll find mud tubes built along your foundation or running along support beams in your basement.  If you spot mud tubes around your home, you may be facing a significant termite infestation.”

Shelton says that calling a trusted pest control professional is key to ridding a home of these destructive invaders.

“At Triangle Pest Control, we use the latest technology in termite prevention and termite extermination.  For instance, we offer the HALO system, which uses electronics sensors to monitor termite activity.  Whenever activity is detected, it immediately alerts our technicians who then target specific areas of activity with a fast-acting termiticide, preventing termite infestation.”

Triangle Pest Control has provided termite extermination and termite defense services to homeowners in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill-Cary region since 2003.

# # #

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.