The Best Guide To Termite Control Process

Mud tubesUnlike ants, termites do not roam around on the soil surface or out in the open. They'll 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 determine if termites are still busy. An empty tube doesn't necessarily mean that termites are gonethey may have simply abandoned this particular tunnel. Termites often rebuild damaged tubes, which is another indication of current action. 'Old' tubes are sterile and crumble easily, leaving behind"etching" on the surface which may be observable for decades (an indication that a home had termite activity at any time).

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

Getting The Termite Control Products To Work

In such situations, a comprehensive inspection may require removal of siding or interior wallboards, etc.. More importantly for you, these aboveground infestations cannot be controlled with the usual soil treatment (see below) and therefore 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 timber 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 could tunnel through non-cellulosic substances, such as plastic and foamboard.

The Main Principles Of Termite Control Products

In fact, the amount of damage that termites cause depends on many factors. In regions 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 decades. .

There is no accurate method for determining the era 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 particular wood. This can be one reason why annual inspections (and keeping your records of these inspections) are important. .

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

In case you've got a termite protection contract, contact the pest control company immediately and arrange for them to take a look at the problem. Should you not own a termite contract, telephone 2-3 (or more) companies and have every one inspect your home and provide you with the details of their findings and any recommendations for a course of action to correct any termite problems that they found.

How Termite Control Products can Save You Time, Stress, and Money.

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

Can there be harm That Needs to Be repaired or at least examined by a contractor or engineer before control steps are performed

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

How Termite Control Procedure can Save You Time, Stress, and Money.

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 within 4 ft of identified signs of termite activity. In some circumstances, the soil around supports (such as piers) underneath the home 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 home, as an example, a garage floor, or the slab of an earth-filled porch.