Termites in Middle Tennessee - The Bug Man

Every Spring, as the temperatures warm and the rains fall, a tiny insect wakens. This tiny insect, known as the subterranean termite, emerges from inside walls, floors, trees, and the ground to make a mating flight and begin a new life as the king and queen of a newly established colony. In the pest business, we call this termite swarm season! When this occurs inside a home, thousands of winged ant-like insects begin to fly from out of the wall and towards the windows and other light sources. Fortunately, all of these will die if they are unable to reach soil quickly.

However, what they leave behind are the worker and soldier termites inside the walls of your house. These are the termites that do the damage, eating the wood that your home is built with. These are also the termites that the homeowners in Tennessee must be concerned with. The experts at The Bug Man are here to help you learn everything you need to know.

Signs You Have Termites

  • Termite shelter tubes or mud tunnels on the foundation of your house. These may be found in the crawl space, on exterior foundations, and in the garage walls. In Middle Tennessee, they are usually orange in color, due to our clay soil.
  • Crumbling baseboards or drywall on the interior of the house. The termites will eat the wood and paper behind the paint, and then the paint will crack or sink in, making it brittle.
  • Swarm castles and pinholes are usually found in the drywall; termites will penetrate through the paint layer in preparation for the swarm.
  • Dead insects are usually black in color and look similar to ants and or wings. The termite swarmers will break off their wings after flight before returning to the earth. They can usually be found near windows and under light sources.

Termite wood damage in Middle TN home - The Bug Man

Preventing Termites in Your Property

The key to termite control is to prevent them in the first place. Here’s how:

  • Termites eat the cellulose in wood, so it is recommended to remove all wood debris from around and under your house. This includes the firewood. It is best to move it 10′ from your house and off the ground.
  • Termites need water, and we recommend that all gutters and downspouts are in working order and directing water away from the house. Make sure you don’t have water puddling under your home. Keep it dry.
  • Ensure all windows and doors are sealed properly to keep rain and moisture out. Wet and rotting wood is a favorite of termites.

What to Do About Termites in Middle Tennessee

In our region, termites are just a fact of life. Although termites damage homes, they don’t cause irreparable destruction overnight. The best way to prevent termites and to keep your property protected is to work with a professional termite control company. At The Bug Man, we will perform regular inspections and implement prevention measures to keep termites away for good.

Contact us today to get started!

Termite Season is Here in Middle Tennessee! in Central Tennessee

Serving Central Tennessee

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