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Finding termites in Tennessee is not unusual. Our state falls within a moderate-to-heavy termite activity zone, which means they are active throughout the state. Termites are one of the few pests capable of causing extensive structural damage before homeowners even realize they're present, so it’s vital to understand Tennessee's termite risk so you know what to watch for and when to seek professional help for your property. All-American Pest Control is a local company that has been dealing with termites since 1961. With our decades of termite control experience, we are a reliable source of information about termites, what problems they cause, and how to avoid them.
Why Are Termites Such a Big Problem in Tennessee?
Tennessee is a high-risk area for termite activity. There are a couple of reasons that termites thrive here.
First, our climate is perfect for these pests. Termites love warm temperatures and lots of moisture, both of which Tennessee offers in abundance. Our humid, subtropical climate provides them with the right conditions to flourish.
In addition to providing plenty of warmth and moisture, Tennessee also offers termites a near-endless supply of food and lodging. Termites eat and nest in wood. Beyond our forested areas, most homes provide many areas of direct wood-to-soil contact, making it extremely easy for termites to get into homes.
If termites were harmless pests, it wouldn’t be a big deal to have a lot of them here, but unfortunately, they are dangerous insects that cause extensive damage to the buildings they infest. If your home ends up with termites, they will chew through the wood inside, creating structural damage that will grow worse and worse over time. Most homeowners insurance doesn’t cover termite damage, which leaves you footing the bill for expensive repairs.
What Types of Termites Are Found in Tennessee?
Subterranean termites are the most prolific termite species in Tennessee. They live underground in the soil and need to stay out of the sunlight and air except to mate. To get into your house, subterranean termites will often build mud tubes along your foundation walls to get from underground into your home’s wooden structures.
Subterranean termites feed on wood. Although they prefer wood that is soft and water-damaged, they’ll eat through sound, dry wood as well. Because they rarely come out in the open, they can go for months, and sometimes years, without being noticed. In the time they remain in your house, they will continue to expand their colony, both in number and in scope.
What Are the Earliest Signs of a Termite Infestation?
Termite infestations are hard to identify, even when you know what to look for, because termites remain out of sight. Unless you know the signs and look for them diligently, it’s easy to overlook a growing infestation. Some of the most common signs of a termite infestation include:
Mud Tubes Along Foundations and Walls
Mud tubes are small, pencil-width tubes made of dirt and saliva. Termites build them in order to get from one location to another without having to come out in the open. The air dries termites out, so mud tubes protect them as they go from the soil into your home.
Discarded Wings Near Doors and Windows
Reproductive termites are the only termites that willingly come out in the open. They do this during termite season, which is typically in the spring, in order to find a mate. A large group of reproductive termites, called a swarm, will come out from underground, find mates, shed their wings, then return underground.
If you find a large pile of discarded wings, they’re likely from a termite swarm. These piles are often found near windows or other light sources. If found outdoors, it means that a large, well-established termite colony is somewhere nearby. If found indoors, it means that a large, well-established termite colony is already in your house.
Hollow, Soft, or Sagging Wood
Termites weaken wood from the inside out by creating tunnels as they eat through it. Over time, the tunneling becomes more and more extensive, leading to hollow, soft, or sagging wood. If you notice any of these things in your house, it’s likely caused by termites.
Bubbling or Peeling Paint
Since termites stay hidden in your walls, the evidence of their presence and the damage they cause is usually hidden with them. However, sometimes when the damage has become extensive, you may start noticing outward signs of their presence. Bubbling or peeling paint and wallpaper can be a sign of a termite infestation. The appearance of this damage can mimic water damage, so it’s important not to ignore it either way.
What Damage Can Termites Cause to Your Home?
We’ve talked a lot about the fact that termites damage wood, but what does that mean on a practical level for your home? A little bubbling paint doesn’t sound like a big deal until you realize that it’s just a tiny symptom of a much larger issue.
When termites are allowed to remain in your house, they can damage:
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Framing
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Floor joists
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Support beams
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Crawl spaces
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Wooden flooring
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Walls and ceilings
Termites eat cellulose continuously, allowing damage to accumulate over months or years before discovery. If you don’t take care of a termite infestation in its earliest stages, you are looking at serious structural damage.
How Can You Help Prevent Termites Around Your Home?
Instead of waiting for termites to invade and hoping you notice the warning signs, why not take steps to prevent a termite infestation altogether? There are a lot of things you can do to make your house less likely to be invaded by termites.
Reduce Excess Moisture
Since termites like water and water-damaged wood, reducing moisture in your house and around your property will make it less likely that they’ll be attracted to your yard and home. Reduce moisture by:
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Fixing plumbing leaks
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Keeping gutters clean
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Improving crawl space ventilation
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Addressing standing water
Eliminate Wood-to-Soil Contact
Termites will be drawn to your property if there are a lot of areas where wood comes into direct contact with the soil. Eliminate these areas by:
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Raising firewood off the ground
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Storing lumber away from your house
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Keeping mulch from touching your siding
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Preventing wooden structures, such as fence posts, from contacting soil directly
Schedule Routine Professional Inspections
The best thing you can do to prevent termites is to schedule routine professional termite inspections. All-American Pest Control has decades of experience identifying termite activity, and it is far less expensive to hire us to conduct an inspection and provide preventative services than it is to repair termite damage and implement termite control after termites get into your house.
When Should You Call a Professional for Termites?
Like most homeowners, you probably try to save money wherever you can. This often leads you to choose DIY home maintenance over hiring professionals. Depending on the job, that’s a great way to save money, but when it comes to termites, it’s not. DIY termite control is rarely effective, so attempting it will not only not give you the results you want, but will also allow the termite colony to continue to grow while you try it.
Professional termite control offers several benefits over DIY treatments. First, we’re licensed by the state to do the treatments. We have the training and experience to know what we’re looking for and to provide the services necessary to safely and thoroughly solve the problem. We can identify hidden damage and activity that is easily overlooked.
Early intervention limits structural damage and repair costs. If you have any reason to suspect that termites have gotten into your home, don’t waste time on treatments that don’t work. Let the pros at All-American Pest Control provide the effective treatments you need to eliminate your termite problem.
Protect Your Tennessee Home Before Termites Become a Costly Problem
Tennessee homeowners face a real termite risk. Your best choice for termite control is to prevent an infestation before it begins. Early detection and prevention provide the best protection, and professional inspections help uncover hidden infestations before severe damage occurs. With termite prevention from All-American Pest Control, you won’t have to worry about costly damage. Contact us today to book your FREE termite evaluation. A termite inspection offers peace of mind and the chance to get ahead of termites. Contact us to schedule yours today.
Comprehensive Pest Control Solutions in Nashville, TN & Nearby Areas
Since 1961, All-American Pest Control has been your go-to team of trusted pest experts for homes, businesses, and home builders throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Our expert team offers termite treatments, mosquito reduction, rodent removal, ant and spider control, and wasp nest removal—keeping your property protected year-round. As a local, family-owned company, we take pride in offering reliable, professional pest solutions with outstanding customer service.
We proudly serve: Brentwood, Centerville, Fairview, Thompson’s Station, Arrington, Leiper’s Fork, Windstone, Westhaven, McKay’s Mill, Ladd Park, Rizer Point, Silver Stream, Annandale, Canterbury, Governors Club, Avalon, LaurelBrooke, Belle Vista, Lockwood Glen, Lookaway Farms, Maplewood, McLemore Farms, Meadowview Estates, College Grove, Franklin, Nolensville, Primm Springs, as well as the entire Williamson County and Greater Nashville areas.
For trusted pest control in Nashville, TN, and these surrounding communities, contact All-American Pest Control today! Call (615) 824-8814 or Schedule a Free Consultation online.