As termites consume the wood, the structural shifts can cause doors and windows to stick or warp.

Where to Inspect

• Doors: Front, back, and interior doors—especially those near damp areas like bathrooms.
• Windows: Check older wooden windows or those exposed to the elements.

How to Inspect

• Open and close each door and window, noting any resistance or unusual stiffness.
• Examine the frames for cracks, splinters, or small gaps.

Moisture from termite activity can cause paint to bubble or appear uneven. This sign can often mimic water damage but requires close attention.

Where to Inspect

• Interior Walls: Focus on areas around baseboards and windows.
• Ceilings: Especially those beneath attics or damp areas like bathrooms.
• Wood Trim: Look for peeling or bubbled paint on wood frames or decorative trims.

How to Inspect

• Run your hand over the surface to feel for soft spots.
• Use a flashlight to highlight subtle bubbles or discoloration in painted surfaces.

Drywood termites, while less common in North Carolina, leave frass (pellet-like droppings) near the areas they infest. This resembles sawdust or coffee grounds.

Where to Inspect

• Window Frames and Doors: Look for piles of droppings near wooden structures.
• Furniture: Drywood termites can infest indoor wooden furniture.
• Attics: Inspect stored items or exposed wooden beams.

How to Inspect

• Use a brush to clear away existing dirt and monitor for fresh droppings over several days.
• Check for small holes in nearby wood, which may indicate termite activity.

Termites eat wood from the inside out, leaving hollow structures behind. This damage can weaken wood significantly before becoming visible.

Where to Inspect

• Exterior Decking: Inspect wooden decks, railings, and steps for hollow-sounding or cracked wood.
• Crawl Spaces: Check beams, floor joists, and other exposed wood.
• Baseboards and Door Frames: Pay attention to warped or uneven wood near the floor.

How to Inspect

• Tap wooden structures with a screwdriver or mallet to see if they sound hollow.
• Use a flashlight to check for visible tunnels or maze-like patterns in exposed wood.

Termite swarmers are winged termites that emerge in spring and early summer to establish new colonies. They are often mistaken for winged ants but can be distinguished by their straight antennae, broad waists, and equal-length wings.

Where to Inspect

• Windowsills and Doors: Swarmers are attracted to light and often gather around windows or entryways.
• Outdoor Lighting Fixtures: Check around porch lights and garden lighting.
• Baseboards and Flooring: Discarded wings might accumulate near cracks or gaps.

How to Inspect

• Look for small piles of wings, especially after a rainstorm or during warm, humid days.
• Compare the insects to online images of termite swarmers to confirm the species.

Pro Tip: Termites and ants can swarm simultaneously. You can distinguish termites by their straight antennae, uniform wings, and thick waists. If unsure, consult a pest management professional or bring specimens to your local Cooperative Extension office.

Subterranean termites, the most common species in North Carolina, build mud tubes for protection as they travel between their colony and food sources. These pencil-width tubes, made of soil, wood particles, and saliva, help termites retain moisture.

Where to Inspect

• Foundation Walls: Examine the exterior and interior of your foundation for pencil-width tubes running vertically or horizontally.
• Crawl Spaces: Check the corners and along any exposed walls.
• Plumbing Areas: Look near plumbing lines, where moisture makes termite activity more likely.

How to Inspect

• Use a flashlight to thoroughly check dark or hard-to-reach areas.
• Break a small section of the tube and monitor it for repair over the next few days. Rebuilding indicates active termites.

Mowing is an essential lawn care task, but it must be done correctly to avoid stressing your grass. In North Carolina, it's best to keep cool-season grasses at a height of 2.5 to 3.5 inches and warm-season grasses at 1.5 to 2 inches to ensure they have enough leaf surface to photosynthesize. Cutting your grass too short (scalping) or mowing when the lawn is wet can lead to a range of issues. Overuse of the mower or improper blade height can leave your lawn vulnerable to diseases and environmental stress.

Effects:

• Scalping: Cutting grass too short exposes the soil to direct sunlight, causing the grass to dry out quickly and struggle to recover. This weakens the lawn and encourages weed growth.
• Weakened Grass: Improper mowing practices remove too much of the grass blade, reducing the plant’s ability to photosynthesize and recover.
• Uneven Growth: Mowing during the heat of the day or when the lawn is wet can lead to uneven cuts, leaving behind patches of stressed or damaged grass.

Soil compaction is a common issue in North Carolina, particularly in clay-heavy soils found in areas like the Piedmont and mountain regions. Heavy foot traffic, mowing, or even the weight of lawnmowers and other equipment can compact the soil. This makes it harder for grass roots to grow deep, access nutrients, and absorb water, leading to lawn stress.

Effects:

• Shallow Roots: When soil is compacted, grass roots can’t grow deeply, making the grass more vulnerable to heat, drought, and disease.
• Poor Water Drainage: Compacted soil has poor drainage, leading to puddles and waterlogged areas that can suffocate the roots.
• Reduced Nutrient Absorption: Grass roots have a harder time absorbing nutrients from compacted soil, resulting in poor lawn health.