6 Easy Facts About Termite Control Process Described

Mud tubesUnlike ants, termites do not ramble around on the soil surface or out in the open. They will either tunnel through the soil or into wood (or other stuff ) or else traveling inside pencil-size (or bigger )"mud tubes" that they assemble from dirt, wood particles and other substances. You will find these tubes on foundation walls, floor joists or other areas of the home.

Break open the tubes to see if termites continue to be busy. An empty tube doesn't necessarily mean that termites are gonethey may have just abandoned this particular tunnel. Termites often rebuild damaged tubes, and it can be another indication of current action. 'Old' tubes are dry and crumble easily, leaving behind"etching" on the surface which could be observable for decades (an indication that a house had termite activity at some time).

Tubes which are found on ceilings or on top levels of a building may indicate you have an aboveground ("aerial") infestation, i.e., the termite colony really resides in the building and the termites are traveling up from the soil. Mud tubes constructed through an aboveground colony usually contain materials other than dirt, e.g., wood and sheet rock or anything the termites are feeding on.

The 5-Second Trick For Termite Control Procedure

In such situations, a thorough inspection may require removal of siding or interior wallboards, etc.. More importantly for you, these aboveground infestations cannot be controlled with the customary soil treatment (see below) and therefore are generally deducted by a termite contract warranty. In such situations, finding and correcting the moisture problem is the first step to eliminating the termites. .

We tend to think about termites as feeding/injuring wood only. Termites actually feed on almost anything that contains cellulose, the main component of wood, including wood paneling, paper products, cardboard boxes, art canvases, the paper covering of sheet rock, carpeting, etc.. While foraging and feeding, they may tunnel through non-cellulosic materials, such as plastic and foamboard.

Termite Control Process Things To Know Before You Buy

In fact, the amount of damage that termites cause depends on many aspects. In regions with cold winter temperatures, termite activity (and feeding) often declines, but does not necessarily cease. When the termites are well-protected from colder temperatures (e.g., underneath a slab), then activity may continue year-round. From a practical standpoint, severe termite damage usually takes about 3-8 decades. .

There's absolutely no accurate way of determining the age of recently found harm. You need some reference point, i.e., some point in time when it was known that there was no damage to this specific innovative pest control wood. This is one reason why annual inspections (and keeping your records of those inspections) are important. .

NOTE: These inspections are not a guarantee that you do not have termites or damage in areas which are not covered or not easily seen, such as inside walls. On the other hand, the inspections can reveal conditions that might imply that harm does exist and further investigation is needed.

In case you have a termite protection contract, contact the pest control company quickly and arrange for them to take a look click to read more at the problem. If you do not own a termite contract, call 2-3 (or more) companies and have every one inspect your home and offer you the details of their findings and any recommendations for a course of action to fix any termite conditions that they found.

The Best Guide To Termite Control Process

Termites do not cause significant harm in a short time period, so spending a few added days or even a few weeks will not make any actual difference in terms how much damage occurs. .

Can there be damage that should be repaired or at least examined by a contractor or engineer before control measures are performed

Simply spraying swarmers or the surface of available infested wood may kill the termites that you see now, but it does not block the infestation nor does it protect your home from future attacks by termites. The most common sort of termite treatment involves a"trench and treat" where a liquid insecticide ("termiticide") is placed on the soil surrounding crucial areas of your residence.

The Definitive Guide for Termite Control Process

The soil is trenched 6" deep he said and approximately 4-6" wide. For houses with crawlspaces, the soil along the interior foundation wall has to be treated at least within 4 feet of identified signs of termite activity. In some circumstances, the soil around supports (such as piers) underneath the house can also be treated.

When implemented correctly, this treatment forms a continuous chemical barrier which should prevent termites from reaching the foundation and piers in your residence. .

Concrete slabs that attach to the house, for example, a garage floor, or the slab of an earth-filled porch.