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Five Easy-To-Spot Signs Of Termites Around Your Augusta, GA and North Augusta, SC Property
August 8, 2024
Famous for its premier golf courses, prime riverfront properties, and rich southern charm, Augusta, GA and North Augusta, SC are two of the best places to live in Georgia and South Carolina. Like everywhere in the Southeast, the rain and humidity here in Augusta and North Augusta is year-round. While this makes for some lush lawns and happy shrubbery, it also sets us up for termite infestations.
Termites in Augusta and North Augusta love moisture-softened wood. Between our sun decks, screened-in porches, docks, barns, and houses, there’s no shortage of that. Termites infestations are the worst because they cause extensive damage. While roaches and rats cause illness by contaminating our food, termites do not spread diseases, nor do they have a visible presence in our lives. Instead, they fly quietly under the radar, silently eating and destroying our wooden structures right under our noses.
Because termites eat cellulose, they can feed on the same wood they live in. This means they don’t need to leave their homes as often as ants or roaches because they don’t have to forage for food. Unfortunately, this habit allows termites to become established in your house while you’re none the wiser. Despite their sneaky ways, there are five major signs of termite infestation to watch out for:
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Wood Damage: This can come in many forms, including buckled walls, sagging ceilings, decaying wood that looks water-damaged even though there’s no water source nearby. You may also find warped door and window frames.
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Soft Clicking Sounds In The Walls: This noise is actually the termites hard at work chewing through your wall studs.
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Pinholes And Tunnels In Walls: These are both entry points for termite nests and kick out holes used to expel unwanted material from the colony.
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Frass: The mix of sawdust and insect droppings left behind by termite activity.
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Signs Of Actual Bugs: These can include termite mating swarms, molted exoskeletons, or shed wings that look like fish scales.
Preventing The Pests
With termites, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If you don’t notice any signs of termite infestation, that doesn’t mean you should put your guard down. Once a colony is established, it is very difficult to eliminate. To avoid an infestation, there are a few prevention tips that you should institute:
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Keep a six-inch “wood barrier” around the exterior of your house. Don’t let any lumber, firewood, mulch, shrubbery, or tree branches come within six inches of your home.
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Repair moisture issues like leaky pipes and water damage. Termites are much more likely to infest weakened, decaying wood than dry wood.
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Reduce access points to your home by repairing cracks and holes in your foundation and siding.
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Stain your exterior wood like support beams, decking, stairs, and railing.
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Clear your gutters and storm drains to prevent standing water.
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Have your home regularly inspected by a professional.
How To Get Rid Of Termites
One of the main reasons termites are so hard for homeowners to get rid of is that mature colonies put out new reproductive adults that go off to satellite nests inside your home. That means that if you try to handle an obvious infestation on your own, you may only be killing the established colonies while failing to locate the newer ones. If you see the tell-tale signs of termites, you need to call the professionals to avoid structural damage to your home. Here at Jury Pest Services, we have over 70 years of pest control experience in our battle against termites. Our 5-Zone pest control process means that the interior, exterior, and grounds of your home will all be protected from these destructive pests. Keep your home safe and sound by calling Jury Pest Services at (803) 792-4809 or visit our contact page to schedule service today!