Termites can be found in almost every state as well as Mexico and parts of Canada. Research indicates that there can be multiple colonies around your home in North Carolina.  They feed on wood and also consume paper products such as books, cardboard boxes, wallpaper, and a variety of other items containing cellulose. Cabinets, shelving, doorways, and other wood within steel framing and masonry structures even make these buildings targets because of their wood contents. Current termite damage estimates in the U.S. alone exceed $1.5 billion dollars per year and no structural type is immune from termites.

A termite colony can contain up to several million termites composed of the colony castes of the queen, king, winged reproductives or "swarmers", soldiers and workers. Worker termites are small, creamy white to light brown insects. They are the most numerous in the colony and the cause of all termite damage. They perform several important duties in the colony. They feed the other castes, forage for food, and build the network of mud tubes the colony uses to forage for food. A property owner seldom sees the worker termites. They usually do their damage without obvious tell-tale signs other than from the moisture they bring with them. This moisture is usually the first indication of termite damage. It causes the paint to peel or the wood to warp. Another very obvious tell-tale sign of a termite infestation occurs in the spring, and sometimes the fall, when we may see swarming "winged reproductives". This form of termite can easily be confused with winged ants. They swarm from places like expansion cracks in concrete or joints in wood. They may even come from exit holes created in the wood the colony was consuming as they leave their colony to form new colonies.

Inspecting for and controlling termites is a job for the professional.

A thorough structural inspection by a termite technician is the first and most important step in protecting your property. Training, knowledge, and experience is necessary to target specific areas in your structure where termite attack is likely to occur. Your termite inspection specialist will then create a strategy plan to control any existing infestations and provide protection for the future for your home or business.

There have been major gains in understanding termite colonies in the last ten years due to an intensified effort of research.  It has resulted in new tools to combat termites and protect structures.  At Whitco we use the most effective control measures available and stay on top of new developing techniques through "on-going" training.  We utilize Termidor* termiticide, a newer tool which is proving to be very effective for structural termite protection.  Call us today to alleviate your concerns about termites destroying what's probably your greatest investment - your home or business.