A Biased View of Termite Control Methods

Removal can be achieved with a broom or vacuum.Fig. 2: Winged termites emerging indoors are a telltale sign of infestation.Q: How can I know if my home is infestedA: Discovering winged termites indoors almost always indicates an infestation warranting treatment. Since the swarmers are attracted to light, they often are seen around windows and doorways.

Termites have straight antennae, a uniformly thickened waist, and wings of equal size. Conversely, ants have elbowed antennae, constricted waists, and forewings that are longer than the hind wings.Fig. 3: Termite swarmers are often confused with winged ants.Swarms of termites emerging from tree stumps, woodpiles, etc. outside in the yard are not necessarily cause for concern, and do not necessarily mean the house is infested.

A Biased View of Termite Control Methods

Termites construct the tubes for shelter as they travel between their underground colonies and the structure. To help determine if an infestation is busy, the tubes may be broken open and assessed for the presence of small, creamy-white worker termites. If a tube happens to be vacant, it does not necessarily mean that the infestation is inactive; termites often abandon sections of tubing while foraging elsewhere in the structure.Fig.

5: Termite colonies contain many employees that consume wood and smaller numbers of soldiers (center) with limbs modified for defense.  Termite-damaged wood is hollowed out along the grain, with pieces of dried sand or dirt lining the feeding galleries. Wood damaged by moisture or other kinds of insects (e.g., carpenter ants) will not have this appearance.

Rippled or sunken traces behind wall coverings can also be indicative of termites tunneling underneath.Fig. 6: Termite-damaged hardwood has dirt lining the feeding galleries.Oftentimes there'll be no obvious indication of infestation. Termites are cryptic creatures and infestations can go undetected for years, hidden behind partitions, floor coverings, insulation, and other obstructions.

Confirmation of termites often necessitates the keen attention of a professional -- nonetheless, even the most experienced inspector can overlook signs that are hidden.Fig. 7: Termites are cryptic. This damage was discovered when a vacuum head broke through a baseboard.  Q: Can I treat the house myselfA: Its best not to for home infestations.

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A knowledge of building construction is needed to identify critical areas where termites are likely to enter. Many of these potential points of entry are hidden and difficult to get. Termite control additionally utilizes specialized equipment such as powerful masonry drills, large-capacity spray tanks, and long metal rods for injecting dirt.

A possible exception could be if a mailbox or other small wooden object not connected to the house was infested. "Do-it-yourself" products, sold to why not try here homeowners at retail stores or bought over the internet, will seldom eradicate an existing termite problem.Q: How do I choose a termite company Why is there such variance in priceA: These are complex questions.

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Membership in their nation pest control association and/or National Pest Management Association indicate the company is an established company using technical and training information needed to perform the work correctly. Just like any support, references are extremely helpful. Consider calling at least a few companies. Requesting inspections and estimates from more than one will help verify the existence of a termite infestation and allow you to compare services.Companies offer you different types of treatment methods and warranties.

Some companies will also repair damage occurring following their treatment, even though dating onset of termite damage is a tough thing to determine. In some circumstances, no warranty will be provided in case wells, drainage systems, sub-slab heating ducts, or inaccessible crawl spaces make it impossible to treat in accordance with industry standards.Take your time when selecting a company.

Avoid companies that attempt to pressure you into signing a contract immediately with specials or scare tactics. The general grade of the project depends less on the sales person than the individual who ultimately does the work. A safe and effective termite treatment requires an experienced technician, not someone hired a few weeks ago.Q: Which treatment procedure is effectiveA: There are two general categories of termite treatment -- liquids and baits.

Termite Control Methods At Home - Questions

Their purpose is to provide a long-lasting barrier in the soil which prevents termites from entering and infesting buildings. In the majority of scenarios, termites within the building die off as well, since they cannot return to the dirt for supplemental moisture. Most former liquid termiticides were repellent rather than fatal to termites foraging in the dirt.

Such products are usually more reliable controlling infestations in the very first attempt.Fig. 8: 2 treatment options for termites: liquid application (abandoned ), baiting (right) The other treatment class is baiting. Termite baits consist of cellulose-based meals combined with some slow-acting substance lethal to termites. The baits are installed below ground outside in the yard in cylindrical plastic stations.