How to Identify
– Mud tubes along foundation walls or piers leading from soil to wood.
– Hollow or papery-sounding wood when tapped in sill plates, joists, or trim.
– Swarmer (winged) termites or piles of discarded translucent wings near windows or light sources.
– Tight-fitting doors or sagging floors that can indicate internal wood damage.
Habitat
Wood in contact with soil; crawlspaces, mud tubes on foundations, damp wall voids. Colony size ranges from 60,000 to 1 million workers.
Health Risks
No direct human health risk; causes severe structural damage to framing, siding, and joists — estimated $5B+ in annual US losses.
Termites do not pose a direct health risk to people in Asheville, but unchecked infestations can cause severe structural damage that threatens the safety and value of homes.
Treatment
Perimeter liquid barrier or in-ground bait-station system; annual monitoring and re-inspection by licensed pest professional.
Bench 359 recommends licensed inspections and a site-appropriate plan — either a monitored in-ground bait system or a targeted perimeter liquid barrier combined with annual re-inspections and a termite bond for long‑term protection.
Prevention Tips
– Keep firewood and lumber piles at least 20 feet from the foundation and off the ground.
– Fix leaky faucets, gutters, and downspouts — termites require constant moisture.
– Eliminate wood-to-soil contact on decks, fence posts, and siding.
– Remove excess mulch, leaf litter, and cellulose debris from foundation beds.
– Schedule a professional inspection every 1–2 years, especially for homes over 10 years old.
– Keep firewood, lumber, and mulch at least 20 feet from the house and elevated off the ground.
– Fix gutter/backflow issues and downspouts promptly to reduce persistent moisture around foundations common after Asheville storms.
– Eliminate wood-to-soil contact on decks, porches, and siding; maintain a 6–12 inch clear strip of non-cellulose material at the foundation.
– Reduce excess mulch and leaf litter next to foundation beds, especially on properties with sloped grades or stone retaining walls.
– Schedule a professional termite inspection every 12–24 months, or sooner for older Craftsman and Victorian homes.