 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
The Truth About Termites
Excerpted from the NPCA Field Guide to Structural Pests,
available through the NPCA Resource Center.
More than 365,000 homes will need the fire department this year. But over 2 million homes will require termite treatment.
Homeowners insurance will help recover losses from fires, storms and earthquakes, but it is almost impossible to carry insurance against termite infestation.
Distribution of the Subterranean Termite
Your termite control specialist can provide protection from termite
infestation.
Termites can be found in almost every state as well as Mexico and parts of Canada. They feed on wood and may also destroy paper products such as books, cardboard, boxes and a variety of other items. Even building with steel framing and masonry walls are targets because of the wooden door and window frames, cabinets and shelving within the buildings.
A termite colony is large, composed of the queen, soldier termite king, winged reproductive swarmers, soldiers and workers. Worker termites are small, creamy white insects. They are the most numerous and the cause of all the termite damage. A property owner seldom sees the worker termites, but in the spring or fall he may see swarming "winged reproductives." This form of termite can easily be confused with a winged ant.
How Termites Enter The Home
 |
| If you suspect that your home has termites, you have reason to be concerned... |
The most common termite, the subterranean, builds its nest in the ground. These termites construct mud tubes which are used to explore for food and connect their underground nest to that food source. They can enter a building without direct wood contact with the soil through such tubes.
Termites can enter buildings through cracks, expansion joints, hollow bricks or concrete blocks around plumbing. They can find their way into a structure through an opening as small as 1/32 of an inch.
Any building, whether constructed with slab, basement or crawl space foundations, can be targets for termite infestation.
Detecting and Controlling Termites is a job for the Professional. A thorough inspection by a termite control specialist is the first and most important step in protecting your property. "Experienced" eyes can locate the specific areas in your structure where termite attack is likely to occur.
Then the specialist will design a treatment plan for your house
that will control any current infestation and establish a chemical
barrier around the structure to inhibit further termite entry.
|
Other Termite Problems
In certain areas of the country you may encounter different types
of termites, such as Formosan, dampwood, drywood, etc. If your home
is infested with one of these termites, it may require different or
more extensive treatment procedures including wood treatment and
fumigation.
Commonly Asked Questions About Termite Treatment
What is a termiticide?
It is a type of chemical used for the control of termites.
Each is extensively tested for effectiveness by the U.S.
Forest Service and registered by the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
Will the wood in my home be treated?
Direct treatment of the wood is seldom done since the soil
application procedure will eliminate the majority of
subterranean termite problems. If required, there are special
products available to the professional to effectively remove
termites from the wood.
Will there be an odor?
There might be a slight odor from the treatment but it should
only last a short period of time.
Are termiticides a danger to my health?
Studies show that when termiticides are applied according to
label directions no adverse health effects occur to persons
applying the product or to occupants of the treated building.
| HOME | SERVICES | COUPON | TERMITES |
| Website & Search Engine Optimization by Big Oak |