Insect activity is a year-round threat for homeowners, despite the common misconception that most bugs are not active during the winter months. Termites in particular rarely stop their search for food, working 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and eating away at any wood available in their path. In today's economy when homeowners are not only time-starved but cash-strapped, savvy consumers can actually save thousands of dollars by preventing termite infestations altogether, rather than repairing costly damage after the fact. What's more, once termites invade a property, they become part of that home's permanent record, and can be a potential turn-off to future home buyers.

"Americans spend more than $5 billion annually on termite treatments and repairing termite damage, and the costs are not typically covered by homeowners' insurance policies," said Dr. Bob Davis, Chief Entomologist and Member of the Expert Advisor Panel for the Termite Institute(TM) . "Milder than normal autumn weather will keep termites very active well past the peak of summerin North Carolina this year, but the pests can continue to inflict substantial property damage over the entire year."

As part of a fall maintenance schedule, termite experts like Davis recommend a thorough inspection and a preventative treatment from a pest professional, in addition to the following tips:

Get educated. Finding reliable information on the Web can be a challenge, but The Termite Institute offers homeowners a single destination to learn about termites from experts. Visitors can peruse overviews of termite prevention, treatment methods, and even view termites in real time through the lens of a live web camera to gain a better understanding of the threats posed to property and personal finances.

Get professional help. "Even if there are no visible signs of termites or termite damage, that doesn't mean that the problematic pests are not lurking behind the walls or beneath the soil," said Davis. "A professional will see the warning signs before problems arise."

Schedule regular check-ups. Similar to a doctor's visit, a clean bill of health in one year doesn't mean a person won't get sick in later years. The same goes for a termite infestation, and the only way to avoid an infestation is to prevent one from happening with regularly scheduled inspections and preventative treatments.

"An inspection and a preventative treatment from a licensed professional, using a premium product, like Termidor(R) termiticide/insecticide, allows homeowners to rest easy knowing their homes are being actively protected from termites," said Davis.

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