Termite Control Procedure Can Be Fun For Anyone

Mud tubesUnlike ants, termites do not ramble around on the ground surface or out in the open. They will either tunnel through the soil or into timber (or other stuff ) or else traveling inside pencil-size (or larger)"mud tubes" that they build from soil, wood particles and other materials. 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 gone; they may have simply 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 that may be visible for years (an indication that a house had termite activity at some time).

Tubes that are found on ceilings or on upper levels of a building may indicate that you have an aboveground ("airborne") infestation, i.e., the termite colony really resides in the building and the termites are traveling from the soil. Mud tubes built by an aboveground colony usually contain materials other than soil, e.g., wood and sheet rock or whatever the termites are feeding on.

Termite Control Products for Dummies

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

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

10 Easy Facts About Termite Control Products Explained

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

There is no accurate method for determining the age of recently discovered damage. You need some reference point, i.e., some point in time when it was known there was no damage to this particular wood. That can be one reason why annual inspections (and keeping your records of those inspections) are important. .

NOTE: All these inspections are not a guarantee that you do not have termites or damage in areas that are not covered or not readily seen, such as inside walls. On the other hand, the inspections can reveal conditions that may imply that harm does exist and additional investigation is needed.

If you have a termite protection contract, contact the pest control company quickly and arrange for them to take a look at the issue. If you do not have a termite contract, telephone 2-3 (or more) companies and have every one inspect your home and provide you with the specifics of their findings and any recommendations for a plan of action to correct any termite problems they found.

Rumored Buzz on Termite Control Process

Termites do not cause significant damage in a brief time period, so spending a few extra days or even a couple weeks will not make any real difference in terms how much damage happens. .

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

Simply spraying swarmers or the surface of available infested wood can kill the termites that you see now, but it does not block the infestation nor does it shield your home from potential attacks . The most common anonymous type of termite treatment involves a"trench and treat" where a liquid insecticide ("termiticide") is applied to the soil surrounding critical areas of your residence.

Some Known Questions About Termite Control Process.

The soil is trenched 6" deep and about 4-6" wide. For homes with crawlspaces, the soil along the interior foundation wall has to be treated at least within 4 ft of identified signs of termite activity. In some cases, the soil around supports (for example, piers) underneath the house are also treated.

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

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