Posts Tagged termite infestation

Termite Infestation: How to Get Rid of Termites

Posted by admin in Temite Infestation on October 27th, 2010

Getting rid of termites is a very challenging feat. However, if you have them around, you simply don’t have a choice but to eliminate termites. Once a vicious termite species arrives to your home, Not only they can harm the structural stability of your house and cost you thousands of dollars in repairs, termite infestation can make it almost impossible to sell your house at the fair price. However not all the termite species attack timber in service. Your licensed pest controller can tell the difference.

The best line of attack against termites is to prevent them from invading in the first place. But once they are already present, there are some actions you can take to get rid of those annoying termites—and save your home. No 1 is to contact your pest controller and no2 is not to disturbing the termites.

Start by carefully looking around the house to identify termites’ existence; check your wooden furniture and structures for rotten or damaged wood. You may also want to gently tap or drill the suspected area to further search for hollow spots where termites have been. Also, termites generally come out during warmer seasons. Other things to look for are mud tubes/tunnels, termite droppings (brownish red, black, or tan), and termite wings.
As soon as you find out that you have termites or enough evidence, it’s time to leap into action. However, termite treatment is not a do-it-yourself kind of job. It is best to let a termite specialist handle getting rid of them. Call a professional to discuss your options for elimination, control, and prevention. A termite expert can as well properly apply termite treatments to destroy colonies and active infestations, which you can’t possibly do on your own.

Nevertheless, you can still do something to help by performing some preventive measures. Repair water leaks and worn-out faucets to keep moisture spots away, which promote termite growth and termites’ concentrations. Make sure that your gutters are clean and in good condition to keep your home moisture free. Pile firewood and other wood products at least six inches above the ground. Get rid of the timber debris underneath your house.
Observing some proper preventive measures, combined with the expertise of a termite professional is the best method to totally eradicate termites out of your premises. Once the termites are eliminated, you may still need to fix any damage that they have done, but you need a pest inspection regularly even after the colony eradication. New termite colonies tend to find their way through the same tunnels and underground “roads” that the eliminated termite colony had built.

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How to Look for Signs of Termites and Termite Infestation

Posted by admin in Termite Information on July 29th, 2010

As you probably already know, termites are pests that can cause serious damage to your property. Without showing any mercy or discrimination, they invade any home or building with wooden materials—whether furniture or any wooden structure. More than just a nuisance, termite infestation can destroy your home and its value if you are not aware of its early signs. Thus, knowing signs of termites can definitely help you prevent further invasion before a more serious problem occurs.

Here are some of the tips to help you determine signs of termite infestation:

Carefully inspect your home and property. Occasionally, swarms of termites may be found on the ground, in a crawlspace, or on an exterior wall of the house. A colony may also swarm from wood structures inside your household. You may also notice some piles of wings, as termites shed their fragile wings shortly after flight. If you didn’t see any signs of termites, check windows, heating vents, doors, sinks and bathtubs for dead termites or termite wings. Groups of termites (dead or alive) or mounds of wings are a clear indication of a termite colony nearby.
Using a screwdriver handle, gently tap along the wood beams or other wooden structures in your house. A hollow sound can be a sign that termites have been aggressively munching on the interior part of the wood. And if the area is severely damaged, the handle may crack the wood’s surface. If the area is still active, you may be able to witness worker termites inside. Dark areas or blisters in wooden floors are also an indicator of termite infestation. Once again do not disturb active termites and contact a pest control company to eradicate them for you.
Watch out for mud tubes. Unlike ants, termites do not roam around exposed. They either burrow through wood or travel inside pencil-sized (or larger) mud tubes that they build from wood particles, soil and other materials. Check for mud tubes along cracks, under flooring, around baseboards, on pipes, chimneys, behind siding, plumbing and other fixtures. Also called “mud tunnels,” mud tubes may as well extend over concrete foundation walls and other exposed surfaces. Break open the mud tubes and look for active signs of invasion. Even if you do not see termites, it doesn’t mean that termites are gone; they may have just abandoned this particular mud tube. Check again the area after a few weeks to see if the termites have rebuilt the mud tubes.
Be wary of any holes that suddenly emerge in walls, most especially if you see any signs of soil close by. While the tunnels may be deep within the walls, termite holes can sometimes be found in painted drywall, and even in wallpapers. Some small surface holes may already be a clue of huge termite damage, just a few inches behind the walls.

Unfortunately, without a regular inspection of your home or building, termite activity can remain hidden for years. Some signs of termite infestation show up unexpectedly or accidentally—others, only during renovations. So, it is crucial to have some understanding about signs of termites to treat this problem before it escalates—and destroys your property! Have regular termite inspection by a pest control company.

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Termites FAQs: Top Ten Frequently Asked Questions about Termites

Posted by admin in Termites FAQs on July 29th, 2010

What are termites?
Termites are vital for the environment, they recycle dead timber back into the nature. They live for wood as their source of food; thus, these insects destroy wood in the process. Their existence dates back since the dinosaur era. And while termites are ecologically important, experts estimate they cause around $5 billion of property damage annually.
How can I differentiate termites from ants?
Termites and ants look quite similar from a far. But there are a few things to look for to distinguish them. Most termites are usually pale, almost white in color. Ants can be red, black or brown. Termites’ wings easily break off after leaving the colony. Termites have straight antennae, while ants have bent antennae. Termites have broad midsections, while ants have narrow ones.
What are signs of termite infestation?
Depending on your geographical location, termite swarms are often more evident during hot and humid summer. Some signs of termite infestation include soft wood in the household, mud tunnels in the interior or exterior of your home (usually near the foundation), and swelling or darkening of wood structures. These occurrences are a give-away sign that termites can already be everywhere!
Are termites seasonal or do I need to look out all throughout the year?
Termites are active all year round and they do not sleep! They normally swarm to start a new colony around summer time; however, that rule is not carved in stone. As long as they have what they want most—warmth, moisture, and food—the colony will continue to proliferate.
How can I prevent termites?
There are numerous methods to prevent or reduce termite infestation, such as chemical and physical barrier, moisture control and anti-harboring measures for new buildings. For older homes or existing structures, it is a must to contact a termite specialist so they can provide you solutions for your specific needs.
How often should I get termite inspection from a professional?
Regular inspections by qualified termite inspectors help avoid nasty surprises of finding termites and damages. CSIRO recommends, termite inspections to be carried out every 6- 12 months. However, in some areas where there are a few favorable conditions for termite infestations, quarterly inspections may be necessary.
What if my neighbors have termites, does it indicate that I have them, too?
If your next door neighbor’s home is infested with termites, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have them as well. Nevertheless, it signifies that your house, including the entire neighborhood is at a high risk of a termite infestation. Termites can travel up to 50 meters in search of a food source. Inspections can be done for a reasonable cost, so it is a good idea to have your home inspected regularly.
What do I do if I have termites in my house?
DO NOT DISTURB OR KILL THEM YOURSELF. We need them alive in order to identify and eradicate them. Although termites can severely damage your property, they work at a slow pace. So do not panic; your house will not fall into pieces overnight. However, it’s best to act fast to prevent any further damage. Contact a licensed termite control company as soon as possible to have your house inspected and provide proper termite treatments.
What is the most efficient method of termite control?
There is no one product or technique that suits every kind of termite problem. The most effective type of termite treatment depends on many factors such as the location of the nest if found, the species of termite, and the location and construction of the property. An experienced termite specialist can evaluate each infestation separately and propose a thorough action plan that will successfully control the termite colony.
Can I treat my house for termites using DIY (do-it-yourself) methods?
Unless you have the right qualifications, properly treating your home could be very complicated and you may end up spending thousands of dollars on timber repairs on top of extermination fee. Moreover, the termiticides are not available to homeowners as they can be hazardous to apply by an untrained person. Hence, unless you are knowledgeable and have the proper equipment, it is best and more economical to let a termite professional treat your house or building.

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