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For an effective and convenient option, you can buy a termite bait system online. Brionna is a writer specializing in home improvement, construction, and real estate topics. She leverages her background as a civil engineer and interior decorator as well as her love for all-things-home to help readers better understand their home. In addition to writing for Forbes, Brionna creates content for start-ups and service-based businesses. However, there are some woods and plants that are naturally resistant to termites.
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Known as “frass,” termite droppings are wood colored and about the size of a pepper flake each. Drywood termites, which are active throughout the Pacific coastal region, southern and southwestern states, move their frass out of their colonies so that the interior pathways don’t get congested. That means you may notice small piles of frass near the baseboards of walls or near windows or doors. There are several ways to treat termite infestations, depending on the severity of the problem. During the initial stages of a termite infestation, DIYers might be able to resolve the problem themselves, but if the infestation is widespread or severe, it’s best to contact a professional.
Solved! Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Termite Damage?
Decaying wood can be easier to access for tiny termites, but they also enjoy untreated hardwoods. Termites have even been known to feast on the cellulose found in cotton. Termite damage often presents as water damage at first, what with the buckling paint, tight window frames and door frames, and swelling wood. All the damage is caused by termites tunneling through the wood in your floors, ceiling, and walls, and those structures expand as the termites build more and more nests and have more young.
Signs of a Termite Infestation
And of course, follow good home maintenance and building procedures. Moisture-damaged wood is more appealing to termites, so keep an eye out for leaking gutters and other moisture problems. Termites only need one small crack to get inside, and if you miss even one the problem may persist. If you hire a professional, ask about their guarantees if the termites show up again; different companies make different promises. “I’m not saying a do-it-yourself (person) couldn’t do it,” Webb says. But termite extermination is expensive, complicated and requires some fairly heavy-duty equipment, including a sprayer capable of handling hundreds of gallons of liquid treatment.
The longer a termite infestation goes unchecked, the higher the potential costs of future termite damage repairs. Some homeowners have no idea that they have termites until the pests have done enough damage to make the home structurally unsound. During a termite inspection, a technician will thoroughly check both the exterior and interior of the home, paying special attention to potential hot spots such as attics and crawl spaces. They also have the expertise to differentiate between termite damage versus wood rot and can use tools such as thermal imaging cameras to identify moisture issues.
Direct chemicals, unlike barrier termiticides, can actually be used inside of your home itself. If you spot a termite and want to dispatch it immediately, this is the technique for you. Foaming insecticides like Termidor Foam should be applied directly into cracks, voids, and crevices that make for great termite hiding places. The odorless foam will expand then evaporate, leaving behind a residue that poisons termites as soon as they touch it. Traps usually contain a poisoned bait, like wood, paper or cellulose, that the termites feed on and bring back to their colony. Most baits are slow-acting, allowing the termites to return to the colony and spread the bait to others.
'Before we get into what can be done about it, it’s important that we talk about the swarmers themselves first. It’s advisable to have a professional termite inspection at least once a year. However, if you live in an area with a high termite risk, such as a warm and humid climate, bi-annual inspections may be necessary.
There will usually be many lines in various directions, similar to a maze. Remember, early detection and proactive prevention are your best defenses against termites. Protect your home, safeguard your investment, and enjoy peace of mind knowing that you've taken the necessary steps to keep these silent destroyers at bay. If you have a recurring termite problem, you can even sign up for continuous protection with a service satisfaction guarantee. If you need some help to determine whether or not you have activity, call Orkin today for a free termite inspection of your home. Flying termites only represent part of the colony, so following them to their source often isn’t enough.
Termite Season: Signs of an infestation - KLFY
Termite Season: Signs of an infestation.
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Taking steps to prevent termites can save you a great deal of money. Moisture is an absolute necessity for termite colonies to survive and thrive, so eliminating damp areas around your house is essential to preventing termites. One popular method on how to get rid of termites involves treating the soil around your house with a termite insecticide, such as imidacloprid or fipronil.
They're known to be attracted to water-damaged household areas, like spaces suffering from cracked drainpipes or roof leaks. If they get inside a structure, they will hide inside wooden support beams and conceal their entry holes with their own feces. Telltale signs include subterranean termites’ mud tubes, hollow-sounding wood, termite frass, and discarded wings. Rattling or rustling noises might mean there are termites within your walls. Call a professional pest control company if you suspect you have a termite infestation. Even the savviest homeowner can’t compete with a trained technician’s experience, knowledge, and commercial-grade products and equipment.
Invasive termites a growing threat to Florida homes and trees - South Florida Sun Sentinel
Invasive termites a growing threat to Florida homes and trees.
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If you’re concerned about the toxicity of termite treatments, speak with a pest control professional familiar with less-toxic treatments. Drywood termites require different types of treatment that are usually performed to eliminate infestations that are already present by fumigation or heat treatment of the entire structure. According to Webb, professionals may use different methods for treating homes.
They steadily populate areas in your home by starting in places like the crawl space, attic, gutters, and even crevices in door frames or molding. Drywood termites enjoy eating materials like mulch, firewood, old sheds, and other dried out wooden items. These hungry termites enter homes if they can easily access them to continue to grow their colonies. Within termite colonies, termite swarmers have two evenly-sized pairs of wings that extend past their bodies. Wondering how to see these insects’ wings if they typically stay hidden? Termite swarmers are sent out from mature colonies to start new colonies—generally during the early spring.
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