Termites in Coastal Southeastern North Carolina
Termites are the most destructive wood pest in our region, and the hardest to catch early. Unlike carpenter ants, which tunnel through wood to nest, termites eat it. Cellulose is their food source. They work from the inside out and stay hidden, so a colony can feed for a long time before anything shows on the surface.
Three types of termites threaten homes in coastal southeastern North Carolina. They nest and spread differently, and require different treatment, so knowing which one you’re dealing with matters. Here’s a quick orientation. Follow the links for full details on each.
Subterranean Termites (Most Common)
By far, the most common termite in our area. They nest in the soil and build mud tubes to reach the wood in your home, so they need contact with the ground and moisture. Responsible for the majority of termite damage in the region.
Formosan Termites
An aggressive type of subterranean termite has been established in our area. Colonies are far larger than native subterranean termites, often in the millions, and they cause damage faster. They can also build aerial “carton” nests inside walls that retain moisture, allowing them to survive without constant ground contact.
Wood Termites
Also called drywood termites, these live entirely inside the wood they eat and need no contact with soil. They infest dry, sound wood (framing, furniture, trim) and are often spread through infested wood items. The telltale sign is small piles of pellet-like droppings (frass).
Termites vs. Flying Ants
Swarming termites are routinely mistaken for flying ants. Three features tell them apart:
- Waist: termites are straight-sided; ants have a pinched, narrow waist
- Wings: termite wings are all the same length; an ant's front wings are longer than its back wings
- Antennae: termite antennae are straight; ant antennae are bent (elbowed)
Signs You Have Termites
- Mud tubes: pencil-width soil tubes on foundation walls or piers (subterranean and Formosan)
- Discarded wings: small piles of equal-length wings near windows after a swarm
- Frass: tiny ridged pellets beneath wood (wood/drywood termites)
- Hollow-sounding wood: trim or framing that sounds papery when tapped
- Blistering, soft, or sagging surfaces: warped wood, spongy floors, sticking doors and windows
How Healthy Home Treats Termites
Termite control isn't a one-size-fits-all spray. Effective treatment depends on the type of termite, your home's construction, and where the activity is found, so it always starts with a thorough inspection. From there, treatment is tailored to the property to eliminate the active colony and establish ongoing protection.
Because of that complexity, termite work is handled under a dedicated termite agreement rather than the standard quarterly protection plans. See coverage below.
Termite Treatment Cost Estimator
Estimates are for budgeting purposes only. Final pricing confirmed after on-site inspection.
Estimate Your Termite Treatment Cost
Every home is different, but the calculator below will give you a ballpark for liquid barrier treatment based on your home's foundation perimeter and type. A technician confirms the final price after an on-site inspection.
Covered Under:
- Home + Yard Protection ($935/year)
- Home + Mosquito Protection ($1,250/year)
- Ultimate Protection Plan ($1,545/year)
- Essential Home Protection (does not include yard treatment)
Coverage
Termites are protected under a separate termite agreement, not the annual protection plans. Termite control requires its own inspection and treatment approach, so coverage is tailored to your home and priced individually. Schedule a free termite inspection and we'll provide a quote.