Are you protected?

​Did you know that termite damage isn't covered under most homeowner's insurance policies?

Most insurance companies don't cover the cost of termite repair due the fact that termite damage is something that the homeowner can prevent through regular home maintenance. 

Photo by David McBee from Pexels

​Each year OVER HALF A MILLION homes are damaged by termites.

Many homeowners may not realize just how vulnerable their home is to outside pests. Termites alone cost American homeowners upwards of $5 billion dollars a year in damage.

How vulnerable is my home?

​South Carolina is located in TIP (Termite Infestation Probability) Zone #1 which means the potential for termite damage is considered to be very heavy. The warm, wet climate creates desirable living conditions for termites and other wood destroying organisms. 

In fact, the likelihood of your home being eaten by termites is 10 times greater than the possibility of your home being destroyed by a fire.

What's a Formosan Termite, and why should I be worried?

​Formosan termites were first discovered in the continental U.S. here in Charleston in the 1950s, and this species of termite prefers the climate of southern states. Charleston in particular is an area in extreme high risk due to the warm and moist climate in our area. 

Formosan termites will use mud tubes to bring moisture to their colonies which are located in nests below ground. These tubes mean that the termites don't have to return to the soil as often leading to more damage to your home. 

Formosan Termites

​These termites are aggressive and not afraid to put up a fight,  and they will definitely defend what they determine to be their territories. Formosan termites act quickly, and they can cause a lot of damage in not a lot of time. These termites reproduce fast! The queen can lay around 1,000 eggs in a single day contributing to how quickly one colony can destroy a home. ​

How can I tell if I have a Formosan Termite problem?

Formosan Swarmers

​There are some warning signs that you should pay attention to in order to tell if you might have a termite infestation. One warning is the presence of termite swarmers. Termite swarmers are adult termites with wings who leave their colonies to mate and create new colonies. These particular winged termites sole purpose is to reproduce.

​You can see evidence of termite swarmers when you see them flying around your porch lights. Another warning to pay attention to is if you see their wings dropped near your doors, windows, vents, and other parts of your home. This is a sign that termites are nearby, have potentially found a mate, and could very well be creating a colony right under your nose. 

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What can be done?

There are preventative measures you can take to make your home less appealing to termites.

• Pay attention to what happens to rain runoff in relation to the exterior of your home. When it rains, does the water head straight to your foundation? If so, you should use gutters to divert the water away from your home. 
• Avoid stacking firewood against the foundation of your home
• Do everything that you can to keep the humidity levels low in your crawlspace, garage,  and attic spaces. A quality vapor barrier can really help control moisture levels under your home. 
• Check anywhere you may have wood to ground contact. Your porch and deck areas, for example, are quite susceptible to termite infestation. Watch out for the wood to ground contact on the support beams of your beach style home as well.  Ideally, you should have a 1 inch gap between any soil and any wood. 
• Schedule regular annual termite inspections from a professional. 

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Is your home safe from termites?
​Check your homeowners insurance to see if you should invest in additional protection from a pest control professional. 
​Protect your investment and don't fall victim to the statistics.
Call us at Champion Pest Management today to schedule an inspection and to get a quote on termite protection and prevention for your home.

843.860.4791