The Buzz on Termite Control Procedure

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 material) or else traveling inside pencil-size (or larger)"sand tubes" that they assemble from dirt, wood particles and other substances. You'll find these tubes on foundation walls, floor joists or different areas of the house.

Split open the tubes to determine if termites are still 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, which is another indication of current activity. 'Old' tubes are sterile and crumble easily, leaving behind"etching" on the surface which could be visible for decades (an indication that a home had termite activity at any 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 lives in the building and the termites are traveling from the soil. Mud tubes constructed through an aboveground colony normally contain materials other than dirt, e.g., wood and sheet rock or whatever the termites are feeding on.

The Ultimate Guide To Termite Control Products

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 usual soil treatment (see below) and therefore are generally excluded by a termite contract warranty. In such 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 actually feed on almost 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 may tunnel through non-cellulosic materials, such as plastic and foamboard.

Termite Control Procedure Things To Know Before You Get This

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 action might continue year-round. From a practical perspective, severe termite damage usually takes about 3-8 years. .

There's absolutely no accurate way of determining the era of recently found harm. 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 can be one reason why annual inspections (and try these out keeping your records of these inspections) are important. .

NOTE: All these inspections are not a guarantee that you do not have termites or damage in areas which are not insured or not readily seen, such as inside walls. However, the inspections can reveal i was reading this conditions that may imply that damage does exist and additional investigation is needed.

If you have a termite protection contract, contact the pest control company immediately and arrange for them to check out the problem. Should you not have a termite contract, telephone 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 correct any termite conditions they found.

Termite Control Procedure Things To Know Before You Buy

Termites do not cause significant harm 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 occurs. .

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

Only 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 protect your house from future attacks by termites. The most common type of termite treatment involves a"trench and cure" in which a liquid insecticide ("termiticide") is placed on the soil surrounding crucial areas of your residence. http://innovativepestcontrol.com.au/

The 25-Second Trick For Termite Control Procedure

The dirt is trenched 6" deep and approximately 4-6" wide. For houses with crawlspaces, the soil along the interior foundation wall must be treated within 4 ft of identified signs of termite activity. In some cases, the soil around supports (such as piers) underneath the house are also treated.

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

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