Termites have been chewing through wood and structures made from wood for literally millions of years. There is no telling the amount of property damage they have caused over the centuries. They are extremely tenacious and can remain, unseen, even after you think they are gone.
What do termites look like?
Termites are generally small, about an inch in length. Termites all have a long body with no small segments attached and their antennae are straight. Some (worker) termites are yellowish to clear while others are brownish to gray in appearance.
How do I know if I have termites?
At Accurate Pest Control, we are often contacted when construction is being done at a home or building and demolition uncovers termite infestation. Other times, the homeowner notices something odd about the decking, front porch areas or even in window sills once the windows are open for spring! Evidence of mud trails and sawdust suggest a look below the surface is needed.
Termites love the dark and feed below the foundation levels of structures. They look for opportunities where wood meets the ground and is often damp. They bore through these surfaces as well as other prospects for entry via cracked foundations or in brick or stone facing.
You may find broken or splinter pieces of wood around your home. When damage is evident, the homeowner may tap on walls or doors and hear a hollow sound. The sound confirms the damage has been done beneath the facia of the wood. You will also find blistering wood and sawdust remnants near window or door frames.
According to thoughtco.com. Most termite damage is caused by subterranean (underground) termites. Subterranean termite nests usually contact the soil, thus the name subterranean. Among these ground-dwelling termites, the most common structural pests are the eastern, western, and Formosan subterranean termites. They will eat your framing starting at the bottom of the house and like softwoods.
Drywood termites enter at the roof line and damp wood termites like basements and bathrooms or where water leaks occur.
How do I get rid of termites?
Treating termites requires experience and an understanding of their habitats and lifestyles. A pest control specialist will inspect your home, inside and out as well as below the surface areas near your foundation and where wood meets the earth.
Termite service most often requires a long-term maintenance service. We install bait stations into the subsoil around the exterior perimeter of the structure. Initially a cellulose inspection cartridge with wood is installed in the station. Over some time, this will lure the termites in. We service the stations on a bi-monthly basis. When we do our regular follow ups if we find signs of active termites then we install the active bait cartridge into the station. The termites will think this is still a food source and eat it and bring it back to the colony. They will leave their pheromone trail to let the others know its a food source and over time it will kill the colony. It can take 1-2 years to kill the colony (maybe more).
It is recommended to stay on this program regardless if the termites are active or not because it will ensure a warranty on the house and will provide constant inspections to see if there is a new colony that invaded down the road.
What can I do about the damage?
The damage to a structure can be significant and often times thousands of dollars. Once we inspect your home, determine a course of action, and eradicate the termites, we can work with you on structural repair.
Protect your home or business with AccuShield. We don’t just temporarily fix the problem. A complete clean up can be performed including external structural damage to soffits, gutters, siding, roofing as well as interior damage to the insulation and dry wall. We can repair and treat damage from nuisance wildlife and pests.
Contact us for a free home inspection. Don’t worry, we will get your home or business back to a healthy environment.
