'Aggressive' Chinese termite threatens Lowcountry homes

It's the time of year when rodents and bugs make their way into Lowcountry homes, and according to local exterminators, the invasion seems to be worse than in the past.

While rodents can be distasteful to homeowners, the surge in a powerful termite population is far more dangerous.

The Formosan subterranean termite is a Chinese import and is "far more aggressive" than the native variety, said Jeff Burkett, a partner in the local Orkin office. It is more copper-colored than the black-colored native varieties, he added.

Orkin uses the most powerful termiticide allowed to battle the Formosan variety.

"Termites were put on earth to return fallen trees into the ground," Burkett said. "We build our homes out of their food source."

Exterminators recommend treatment and an annual inspection for termites. Most treatments don't need to be applied every year, depending on the pesticide used.

Homeowners also are seeing rats and mice in their houses more often this year, according to local exterminators.

"The rodent problems are worse," said Ron Nettles, owner of Old South Exterminators. "Rats and mice seem to be progressively worse through the years."

What's also unusual is that rodents don't typically reach their invasion peak until the fall, said Bill Robertson, general manager of Hilton Head Exterminators.

Exterminators attribute the problem to land being cleared for development and the rodents' natural desire for a cool place with food and water -- three things homes offer.

Termites and rodents aren't the only pests likely to pop up this summer, Robertson said.

He's getting more and more mosquito and sand gnat calls. Their eggs can lie dormant for long periods of time only to be rousted into hatching by a bit of rain.

Despite tight economic times, residents still are hiring exterminators. Nettles said his business grows 10 percent to 15 percent a year.

Burkett said people aren't likely to forego fighting pests as they attack residents' "most valuable investment" -- their homes.