The 5-Second Trick For Termite Control Procedure

Mud tubesUnlike ants, termites do not ramble around on the ground surface or out in the open. They'll either tunnel through the soil or into wood (or other stuff ) or else travel inside pencil-size (or bigger )"mud tubes" they build from dirt, wood particles and other materials. You will find these tubes on foundation walls, floor joists or different parts 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 might have just abandoned this specific 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 years (an indication that a house 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 lives in the building and the termites are traveling from the ground. 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.

The 9-Second Trick For Termite Control Products

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 with the customary soil treatment (see below) and are generally excluded by 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 almost 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.

Little Known Questions About Termite Control Process.

In fact, the amount of harm that termites cause depends on many aspects. In regions with cold winter temperatures, termite activity (and feeding) often declines, but does have a peek at these guys not necessarily stop. If the termites are well-protected from colder temperatures (e.g., underneath a slab), then action might 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 harm. You need some reference point, i.e., some point in time when it was known that there was no damage to this particular wood. This is 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. However, 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 check out the problem. Should you not own a termite contract, call 2-3 (or more) companies and have each browse around these guys one inspect your home and provide you with the details of their findings and any recommendations for a plan of action to fix any termite conditions they found.

All about Termite Control Products

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

Is there damage that should be repaired or at least examined by a contractor or engineer before control steps are done

Only spraying swarmers or the surface of accessible 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 by termites. The most common have a peek at this site sort of termite treatment involves a"trench and treat" where a liquid insecticide ("termiticide") is applied to the soil surrounding critical areas of your house.

Indicators on Termite Control Products You Should Know

The dirt is trenched 6" deep and approximately 4-6" wide. For homes 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 cases, the soil around supports (such as piers) underneath the home are also treated.

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

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