Mild winter may be driving termites into homes

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Warmer-than-average temperatures over the past few weeks have led to an early spring in Charlotte, which may be driving termites into some homes.

"With the temperatures being so high so early in the year, you could pretty well anticipate it’s going to be an early season in which we have (termites), and sure enough, we've been seeing them emerging 30 days earlier than we did last year,” Gary Wojciechowicz of Tactical Pest and Termite Solutions said.

Part of the cause is the mild winter.

Temperatures never got too cold for a long period of time.

Termites thrive on warmer temperatures and moisture. As soil temperatures continue to warm, termites rise to the surface.

"Basically, termites need moisture. That is their No. 1 goal once they emerge,” Wojciechowicz said.

After a good rain, homeowners might notice termites, typically in a bathroom or kitchen, where there is more moisture.

Termites can sometimes be hidden in the walls.

What to do to protect your home:

Eliminate wood contact with the ground.
Don't let moisture accumulate near the foundation.
Reduce humidity in crawl spaces.
Never store firewood, lumber or other wood debris against the foundation or inside the crawl space.
Use mulch sparingly, especially if you already have termites or other conducive conditions.
Consider having the structure treated by a professional pest control firm.

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Julie Clark noticed a mark above her doorway a few weeks ago.

“It just -- it threw me. Because we never saw any termites in the house and we keep it very clean and I just never expected to see that kind of damage. I had no idea they could do that," she said.

Channel 9 stopped by as experts were treating Clark’s home.

“The weather has just made them swarm now, because it is warmer, and we got a little rain last week, and it’s made them come out and swarm," Mike Rogers of Killingsworth Pest Control said.

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