Formosan Termites in a Live Oak tree on James Island, SC 40 feet from a home.  These termites traveled to the home’s wall nearest the tree and infested the home. Palmetto Exterminators treated the tree and the home with Termidor, the number one termiticide on the market today. Palmetto Exterminators will inspect the home and the tree in 2 to 3 weeks to see the effects of our treatment. Palmetto Exterminators has recently found that over 50% of termite wall infestations involve a tree that is close by and also infested! Ask your pest control company to inspect the trees around your home - you may be surprised what they find!

Swarm season is quickly approaching in the Lowcountry. Are you prepared? Swarming is a natural part of the Formosan Termite life cycle. The Formosan Subterranean Termites, originally brought over on ships fromChina, established themselves in Charleston in the mid 1950s. Now after 50 years the Formosan is the dominant subterranean termite in the Lowcountry. Every year during late May through June Formosan Termites swarm in the Lowcountry.  

Mature Formosan Termite Colonies produce swarmers that fly out of colonies by the thousands. There could be 70,000+ in any given evening flying towards lights in and around homes. As locals we consider swarming part of the “charm” of living in the Lowcountry, but many residents not originally from this area are not familiar with this event. Many people mistake these “hovering clouds” of swarmers for gnats or other flying insects.

Termite swarmers have no biting or chewing mouthparts and do not cause any damage to your home. Their goal is to start new colonies in and around your home which in turn can cause damage. If you find swarmers in your home, do not panic.  However, you should immediately call a licensed and trained expert, with experience in handling Formosan infestations, to inspect and verify the source of the swarmers. The source is either 1) An infestation in your home or 2) Significant termite activity close to your home including inside trees. Formosan termites have been identified as infesting at least 17 different tree species.   

Historically, greater than 95% of the termite swarmers we find inside homes originated from outside of the home and not from an infestation in the home. However, this should not make you feel secure or take swarmers lightly.  It is not “if” but “when” you will have an infestation in the Lowcountry.  In fact, you could have a hidden infestation in your home doing damage for several years before it is discovered.  Formosan termites have the ability to cause thousands of dollars in damage in just a few months. This is not a risk a homeowner can afford to take.  It is possible the Formosan termite is causing as much as 75 to 100 million dollars in damage to structures in the Lowcountry each year.  On average this is more than storms and fires combined. Keep your home protected by a reputable termite company that has experience with and covers Formosan Termites. Stay aware this Formosan swarm season.

Termite video

In February, Palmetto Exterminators honored Walterboro Branch Manager Michael Turner with a Retirement Luncheon. The Walterboro staff, customers and Michael Turner’s family gathered to honor Mr. Turner’s 24 years of service with Palmetto and to celebrate his retirement.  Owner Bud Snyder reflected about Mr. Turner and his service with Palmetto: “In 1988 when Michael Turner was hired, good, hard-working employees were hard to find but I certainly found one of the best in Michael Turner. Thank you Michael for your 24 years of dedicated service.”

When Turner was hired in 1988 as a Salesman and Technician Palmetto Exterminators only had 3 small offices in Walterboro, Beaufort and Charleston. Since then, Turner was promoted to Branch Manager of the Walterboro office.  Under his leadership they experienced steady growth in Edisto Island, Walterboro and the rural surrounding areas. In addition Palmetto has grown to 8 branches company wide.

Palmetto Exterminators, a family owned and operated business has been protecting people’s health, their property and the environment since 1960. With eight locations serving customers in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia and two graduate Entomologists on staff, Palmetto Exterminators strives to lead the industry in innovation. For more information regarding Palmetto’s initiative please visit www.palmettoexterminators.net.

Is this an albino roach?

No, this is not an albino roach. In fact there is no such thing as an albino roach.   This ”white roach” is actually a newly molted American Cockroach. When an insect molts it comes out white and stays white until the new exoskeleton has time to harden. An American Cockroach, commonly called a “Palmetto Bug,” goes through 10-13 molts in their two year lifespan. It takes just a few hours for the roach to turn brown and harden again.

PALMETTO EXTERMINATOR’S GRADUATE ENTOMOLOGIST AND RESIDENT “BUG EXPERT”

            Bert Snyder, Vice-President of Palmetto Exterminators, was fascinated by all things bugs from a very young age. Bert’s father, Bud Snyder, spent over 50 years in the termite and pest control industry and instilled in Bert a love of the science of insects. Bert graduated from Clemson University in 1990 with a degree in Entomology, which is “the study of bugs.” He has been working at Palmetto Exterminators since graduating from Clemson. We sat down with Bert in an informal interview so that Palmetto’s customers and prospective customers can learn a little more about Bert and his experiences with bugs. This will be the first in a series of blogs that will educate the consumer about insects and what to look for when choosing a termite and pest control company.

           What is your first memory of bugs?

I believe it was on a camping trip and my dad collecting and showing me different types of bugs at our campground.

            When did you decide you wanted to be an entomologist when you grew up?

It was always in the back of my mind but I did not make the final decision until my Junior Year at Clemson at which time I changed my major from Electrical Engineering to Entomology.

            What is your favorite memory of studying entomology at Clemson?

The students and staff in the Entomology Department -the people working, doing research, and teaching in this field love nature and are truly passionate about what they do and enjoying teaching others.

            Is working in the termite and pest control industry what you thought it would be?

No, working in the termite and pest control industry is not all about spraying chemicals and killing bugs.  This industry involves educating people whether we are educating employees or customers about the pest world and how the life cycle of pests and humans are connected.  The insect world is something most people know very little about and they do not understand how technical this industry really is.

            Why is it an advantage for a termite and pest control company to have an entomologist working for the company?

Having an entomologist on staff gives a company the ability to be confident with knowledge and gives the company’s employees a base understanding of insects that you can build on with everyday experiences.  There are a lot of people in the pest control industry who are not very well trained or educated.  A company that has a person on staff with a degree in Entomology sets the company apart from the rest of the industry.

            What is the most common “bug complaint” that you hear from customers?

It is not about any one particular bug.  Being in the south it is more “Wow, there are a lot of bugs here.”

            How has the termite and pest control industry changed in the last twenty years?

The actual services we perform for our customers have not really changed in the last twenty years. However, we are seeing big changes in the technology available for us to use, which enables us to inspect, communicate, educate, and document our findings better and of course, kill bugs more effectively!  Customers should always be wary because some people use technology to misinform the consumer.

            What is the craziest insect infestation you have seen in your years in the industry?

At a newly constructed elementary school we were called in to treat for black widow spiders.  As we treated hundreds of black widow spiders were flushed out of the cracks and crevices.  It looked like something out of a horror movie.  I was very surprised that children had not been stung more at the school prior to our treatment.

            What is the biggest misconception the consumer has about the termite and pest control industry?

That all companies are the same.  Unfortunately it is relatively easy for an individual to pass the licensing tests and start their own business with very little experience.  Companies are just not the same – most companies do not have an Entomologist on staff; most companies have not been around for more than 50 years. Consumers need to do their research and ask the hard questions. Read the contracts – compare the coverage. Keep in mind that about 90% of existing pest control companies are very small and operate out of an individual’s home with no real office, staff or knowledge.

            Bed bugs have made a resurgence recently and are certainly talked about a lot in the media, what do see as the next big bug story?

There is a ground swell developing in our industry with the ever expanding and growing Formosan Subterranean Termite populations in the U. S.  More and more consumers are saying, “If I had only known” after experiencing an extensive Formosan infestation with serious and expensive damage.

Stay tuned for more conversations with Palmetto Exterminators’ own “Bert The Bug Man.”

Palmetto Exterminators – Bluffton / Hilton Head Area

Like Palmetto Exterminators, Lowcounty Business Circle is commited community to our community. They are members of the Bluffton/Hilton Head Chamber of Commerce, work closely with the Home Builders Association, support local charities and they partake in many local events. In fact, through LBC, Palmetto Mosquito Control, the sister company of Palmetto Exterminators, has become a proud sponsor of the Bluffton Farmers Market.

 Keep an eye out because Lowcountry Business Circle is expanding into the Charleston area as well. Check their Facebook page for updates. We urge you to visit the LBC website, look around and please, leave us a review!

                 (Charleston, SC) – Silently and secretly, termites do more damage to American homes every year than fire, floods and all other natural disasters combined. Termites infest an estimated 1.5 millionU.S.homes each year and cause nearly $5 billion in damage. In fact, Formosan Termites cost Charleston residents tens of millions of dollars a year in damage, repair and control costs. The Formosan Termite became established in the Charleston Area in the mid 1950’s.  It is now the dominant Subterranean Termite species on the coast of South Carolina.  Due to the increase in rain fall over the past 3 years the Formosan population has exploded. Formosan Termites infest live trees and recent heavy rains have caused the Formosans to move up into the trees in order to escape the saturated soil. In Charleston alone, Formosan Termites have been found in 17 different tree species.

                Representatives from Palmetto Exterminators and BASF, the manufacturer of Termidor, came together to protect and save historic trees on the Charleston Peninsula that were infested with termites. Several Live Oak trees on the Charleston Peninsula were inspected and treated for Formosan Termite infestations.  Palmetto Exterminators and BASF filmed the treatment to use as a training video for pest professionals to educate them about treating trees for termites. Palmetto Exterminators agreed to host the event to educate Charleston’s citizens about the destructive power of termites not only in their homes, but also in their trees. “Treating a termite-infested tree not only saves a tree, but also reduces the overall Formosan Termite population around homes and buildings” says Palmetto’s Graduate Entomologist Bert Snyder.

Click on the links below to read the press on this event in local and national media.

Termite Takeover – Post and Courier, Charleston, SC

Out On A Limb – PCT Magazine

When we think of drought conditions, we tend to think about conserving water, regimented watering schedules and wild fires. It is not often that we think about snakes, especially those of us who are bothered by them. However, with the entire state in a drought status – 26 counties are in a “Moderate Drought” status according to South Carolina State Climatology Office – there may be increased human encounters with snakes.

Snakes have the ability to go a long period of time without food or water. Still, the rainfall levels throughout the entire state of South Carolina have been below average since May 1, 2011. As the drought continues, snakes will forage for water in an increasing degree. All types of snakes, not just aquatic ones, will move beyond their natural domain in search of hydration. Therefore you may be more likely to encounter a snake this summer.

Apparently it is not just the reptiles that are traveling in search of food and water, bears sightings have increased across the state as well, even in such places as the Lowcountry. We at Palmetto cannot help you with the bears and although our pest control service does not specifically include snakes, we have observed that our Quarterly Pest Control customers tend to have fewer problems with snakes around their homes.

For more information visit these sources:

CarolinaLive – Snake Story

The State – Drought brings out bears

Post and Courier - Bear sightings increase 

Post and Courier – Drought has bears roaming