Termite Control Procedure for Beginners

Mud tubesUnlike ants, termites do not roam around on the ground surface or outside in the open. They'll either tunnel through the soil or into timber (or other material) or else traveling inside pencil-size (or larger)"sand tubes" that they build from soil, wood contaminants and other materials. You will find these tubes on foundation walls, floor joists or different areas of the house.

Break open the tubes to determine if termites are still busy. An empty tube doesn't necessarily mean that termites are gonethey may have just abandoned this particular tunnel. Termites often rebuild damaged tubes, and it is another indication of current action. 'Old' tubes are dry and crumble easily, leaving behind"etching" on the surface which may be observable for years (an indication that a home had termite activity at some time).

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

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In such situations, a comprehensive inspection may necessitate 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 are generally deducted by a termite contract warranty. In these situations, finding and correcting the moisture problem is the first step to eliminating the termites. .

We tend to think about termites as feeding/injuring timber only. Termites really feed on virtually 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 may tunnel through non-cellulosic materials, such as plastic and foamboard.

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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, serious termite damage generally takes approximately 3-8 years. .

There is no accurate method for determining the age of recently found harm. You need some reference point, i.e., some point in time when it was known there was no harm to this specific 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 harm in areas that are not insured or not readily seen, such as inside walls. However, the inspections can reveal conditions that might imply that harm does exist and further investigation is needed.

In case you've got a termite protection contract, contact the pest control company immediately and arrange for them to click to visit innovative pest control check out the issue. Should you not own a termite contract, telephone 2-3 (or more) companies and have every one inspect your house and offer you the specifics of their findings and any recommendations for a plan of action to correct any termite conditions they found.

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

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

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

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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 circumstances, the soil around supports (such as piers) underneath the home can also be treated.

When applied 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 example, a garage floor, This Site or the slab of an earth-filled porch.