Termite Control Process - An Overview

Mud tubesUnlike ants, termites do not ramble around on the soil surface or outside 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" they assemble from soil, wood contaminants and other substances. You'll find these tubes on foundation walls, floor joists or other parts of the house.

Break open the tubes to determine if termites continue to be active. An empty tube doesn't necessarily mean that termites are gone; they may have simply abandoned this particular tunnel. Termites often rebuild damaged tubes, which is another indication of current activity. 'Old' tubes are dry and crumble easily, leaving behind"etching" on the surface which could be observable for years (an indication that a house had termite activity at any time).

Tubes that are found on ceilings or on top levels of a building may indicate that you have an aboveground ("aerial") infestation, i.e., the termite colony actually lives in the building and the termites are traveling up from the ground. 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.

Some Known Facts About Termite Control Procedure.

In such situations, a comprehensive inspection may necessitate elimination of siding or interior wallboards, etc.. More importantly for you, these aboveground infestations cannot be controlled using the usual soil treatment (see below) and are typically excluded 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 of termites as feeding/injuring wood 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 paper covering of sheet rock, carpeting, etc.. While foraging and feeding, they may tunnel through non-cellulosic materials, such as plastic and foamboard.

Getting The Termite Control Process To Work

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

There's absolutely no accurate method for determining the age of recently found damage. You need some reference point, i.e., some point in time when it was known that there was no harm to this specific wood. This try this site can be one reason why annual inspections (and keeping your records of these inspections) are important. .

NOTE: These inspections are not a guarantee that you do not have termites or harm in areas that are not insured or not readily 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 like it to check out the problem. Should you not have a termite contract, telephone 2-3 (or more) companies and have each one inspect your house and provide you with the specifics of their findings and any recommendations for a plan of action to correct any termite conditions that they found.

Our Termite Control Products Statements

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

Is there harm That Needs to Be repaired or examined by a contractor or engineer before control measures are done

Simply spraying swarmers or the surface of available infested wood may kill the termites which you see now, but it does not stop the infestation nor does it shield your house from potential attacks . The most common type of termite treatment involves a"trench and cure" where a liquid insecticide ("termiticide") is applied to the soil surrounding crucial areas of your house.

Termite Control Process Fundamentals Explained

The soil is trenched 6" deep and approximately 4-6" wide. For homes with crawlspaces, the soil along the interior foundation wall has to be treated 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 that should prevent termites from reaching the foundation and piers in your residence. .

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