Pest Control
7 Signs of Termites in Your South Carolina Home (And What to Do Next)
Why termites are a South Carolina problem
South Carolina sits in one of the highest termite pressure zones in the country. Subterranean termites, including the Formosan termite along the coast, are active nearly year round in our warm, wet soil. They cause billions of dollars in damage nationally, and none of it is covered by homeowners insurance. Knowing the signs early is the difference between a routine termite treatment and a structural repair bill.
1. Mud tubes on the foundation
Pencil-width tunnels of dried mud running up your foundation, piers or crawlspace walls are the single clearest sign of subterranean termites. The tubes protect termites from light and dry air as they travel between the soil and the wood in your home.
2. Swarmers or discarded wings
In spring, especially after a warm rain, reproductive termites swarm to start new colonies. Piles of small, identical wings on windowsills or near doors mean a colony is nearby, possibly inside.
3. Hollow-sounding or blistered wood
Termites eat wood from the inside out. Tap baseboards, door frames and window trim. A hollow sound, or paint that looks bubbled or water-damaged when there is no leak, deserves a closer look.
4. Doors and windows that stick
Termite damage and the moisture that comes with it can warp frames so doors and windows no longer close smoothly.
5. Frass or mud in cracks
Drywood termites push out pellet-like droppings called frass. Subterranean termites pack mud into cracks and joints. Either one is a signal.
6. Sagging floors or ceilings
By the time floors sag, damage is usually extensive. Do not wait for this sign.
7. Live termites
Seeing pale, soft-bodied insects in a piece of firewood, a stump or damaged wood means treatment is overdue.
What to do next
Schedule a professional termite inspection. Our technicians check the crawlspace, slab edges, foundation and moisture levels, then recommend the right termite treatment: a liquid barrier, a bait system, or both. Annual termite protection keeps coverage in place. Call (833) 659-0727 for a termite inspection anywhere in South Carolina.