Why Termite Protection Is Essential In The Southern United States

Hidden subterranean termite damage behind drywall

Termite protection is essential! The image above was from a home in Cumming, Georgia. As remodeling was being done, the construction team found this carton nest after removing the drywall in the home. I was called out to inspect and determine if it was an active infestation. Luckily, it wasn’t active, but the damage was done. It appeared that a traditional subterranean liquid treatment was done in the past in the crawlspace. The crawlspace masonry had been drilled and treated with a liquid termiticide directly under this wall. A good termite inspection done by a pest control professional will indicate areas of possible hidden damage (PHD). It is important to note that pest control professionals are not versed in how bad the damage is; we leave that to the building construction professionals!

At one time, the previous homeowner must have had signs of an active infestation. Typically this is when winged reproductives (alates, see above) appear by the hundreds to thousands. Winged termites are a common sight in the south, especially in the spring after it rains. When activity is seen, the best course of action is normally to use a combination of termite baits and a spot-treatment with a liquid termiticide. Termite bait stations are great, but they are slow to get control in an active infestation, so liquid termiticides are needed to help speed up the control process.

When inspecting a structure for termites, there are a few things to look for. One of the easiest signs to find is a mud tube (see below). Mud tubes are used by subterranean termite workers as they travel between the ground and their food source (wood and cellulose containing materials)! Mud tubes help the termites maintain a constant relative humidity (>85% moisture). Otherwise they will dry out pretty quickly. Another sign is wet and soft wood (not pictured).

As pest control professionals, we are constantly faced with difficult situations where conducive conditions (i.e. standing water and wood-to-ground contact) need to be identified and remedied, This is by no means an exhaustive list of how to identify subterranean activity! Keep up with our blog posts to continue learning about the pests we deal with on a constant basis.

Subterranean Termite Mud Tube

So, if you find yourself needing termite control, contact Grace Valley Pest Control today! We service the Cumming, Dahlonega, Dawsonville, and Cleveland areas of Georgia.

Check out the videos below from the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) for more termite facts! Learn more about termites by going to the NPMA’s website.