Termites are found in all states except Alaska. Termites can do significant damage to a building before anyone knows they are there. The climate of Georgia and other subtropical southern states is ideal for termites, with high humidity, ample rainfall and abundant food sources. Georgian homeowners spend between $200 million and $300 million every year on repairs to damage caused by termites.

The good news for Savannah homeowners is that the highly destructive Formosan termite is not common in the area. However, two other types of termites, the subterranean termite and the drywood termite, are active in Savannah and other areas of Georgia. Eliminating the conditions termites require to thrive is the first, and most important, step in effective termite control.

How Termites Thrive

Termites require moisture and food to survive. They seek out wood, objects that contain cellulose and moist areas. They eat wood as well as plastic, paper, books and other plant-based materials. They require moisture to keep their bodies from drying out.

Savannah’s moist, warm climate is ideal for termites. In addition, areas within a home in any climate can provide optimum conditions for termites to live. Wet or decayed wood, contact of wood with soil and pooled moisture around foundations are favorable conditions for termites.

Termites are social insects, forming nests with thousands of individuals. Subterranean termites build mud tubes that connect nests in the ground to food sources up to several hundred feet away, giving 24-hour access to your home. When conditions are right, they swarm and create new nests. Warning signs of termites include mud tubes with the insects inside, damaged wood and clusters of wings near wooden windows, doors or furniture.

How to Prevent Termite Infestations

Careful inspection of the inside and outside of your home with a certified pest control specialist can identify areas of termite activity and places that are favorable to termite infestations. Remove wood piles from around the exterior of the building, keep trees trimmed and healthy, seal cracks in foundations, examine grading around the building and make sure gutters drain properly. Wooden support beams, siding and other wooden components of the building shell should be made of pressure-treated lumber.

If you think you have termites, get treatment immediately. Ideal Pest Control, Inc. has served Georgia residents for 42 years. We understand how local environmental conditions in Savannah and nearby communities attract and support termite activity. We also know how to effectively eliminate termite infestations and keep them from returning.

Call today to speak to one of our certified termite control specialists. We provide free estimates and offer a 100 percent customer satisfaction guarantee.