Termites are small insects, roughly 1/4-inch to ½-inch long, ranging in color from creamy white to dark brown or black. There are approximately 45 termite species throughout the United States, all with their own characteristics and behaviors. However, all termites are destructive foragers that feed on plant materials, especially wood.
Subterranean termites are one of the most common types of termites found throughout the country and cause most of the termite damage in the U.S.
What Is the Eastern Subterranean Termite?
In southeastern states like Georgia and Alabama, you will most likely find the eastern subterranean termite. This species of termite consumes any cellulose containing materials, like wood, paper, and cardboard. The chief concern with eastern subterranean termites is their ability to consume wood, especially wood with excessive moisture, and cause significant damage to the wood in homes and businesses.
Eastern subterranean termites present a significant threat to homeowners as they travel in large underground colonies and are always searching for new sources of cellulose (wood). If their underground tunnels make it to your home, they could begin to eat at the wood from the ground up, leaving you with a compromised structure and costly damages.
Subterranean termites thrive in high-moisture environments, so pay attention to the moisture levels in your crawlspace and throughout your home.
What Are the Signs of an Eastern Subterranean Termite Infestation?
Termites are difficult to notice as they often stay hidden underground.
Signs of an eastern subterranean termite infestation in your home include:
Swarms of Winged Termites
Winged termites will emerge from the ground during swarming season (spring–autumn) to reproduce and create new colonies. If you notice a swarm of termites, you can assume more colonies are nearby beneath the ground. Once out of the ground, the termites do not live for very long, so many property owners will notice a large pile of wings on the ground comprised of dead termite swarmers.
Mud Tunnels in Crawlspaces and on Concrete Slabs
It doesn’t matter if your home’s foundation is a concrete slab or crawlspace; a termite infestation will involve mud tunnels running from the ground up to the base of your house. A mud tunnel is like the termites’ highway, protecting them as they travel from the colony to the wood sources in your home.
Wall Abnormalities
Once a termite colony enters your house, you can expect them to move through your walls as they consume the cellulose containing materials in the walls. You will begin to notice web-like indents in your walls or bubbling in the paint. You will also likely notice small pinholes in places like walls, baseboards, and door frames. Sometimes dirt from the termite tunnels can be seen coming through these pinholes. Also, when termites are present, the drywall in the home can begin to look discolored.
Adams Exterminators not only provides termite treatments for active termite infestations, but we also provide treatments to prevent future or further infestation.
Our team is highly experienced in termite control and offers industry-leading solutions to protect your home from future or further termite infestations. Learn more about our termite control solutions by calling (229) 435-6257
Stay tuned for our 3-blog series on termite control:
- What Are Termites? Termite Infestation FAQs
- How to Get Rid of Termites
- How Long Does Termite Treatment Last? And Other Termite Control FAQs
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