Termites invade South Mississippi sooner than expected

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) - Termite season usually runs from March to November. But this year in South Mississippi they're getting an early start.

With a mild winter here, subterranean termites are out in force. They are on the hunt for a place to nest, eat and multiply.

If you think your home is safe from termites because it's brick, think again.

Tyler Ladner, owner of Alliance Pest Control in Gulfport, says, "Once they come underneath this brick lay, they're entering under the soil and once they come underneath that brick lay ledge, they enter the studs and eat from the top to the bottom."

Right now, Ladner is treating a Gulfport home with thousands of dollars in termite damage. High soil around the outside of the house made a moist environment inside that termites love.

"And once they've infested the house and have that moisture source, they start eating from the ground up. They build a carton inside the wall and that will contain the moisture for them, so they'll continue to breed and forage on the studs inside the home."

He said you can do a termite treatment yourself with a kit you buy at a local hardware store, but highly suggests you use a professional that will do a chemical treatment and more importantly give you a lifetime warranty for any future termite trouble.

The alternative, he said, can be even more expensive.

"You can wait till you get termites and repair all your damages and then have to have a termite treatment after that. So you're paying a little more money to pay for damages and treatment versus having the treatment and being done with it. So it's certainly better to be proactive."

Some companies, including Alliance Pest Control, will give free estimates for termite treatment. So if you suspect you have a problem or want to protect from termites, you can get an inspection at no cost.

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