Termites and subterranean termite control
Termites are the number one cause of home damage in the united states.They do more damage each year than fires, floods, tornados, and hurricanes combined in the U.S.
Termite control is usually best left to trained termite control professionals but there are do-it-yourself products available. The subterranean termite found in the U.S. can be controlled in a number of ways. Chemical barrier treatments used to be the best way to treat subterranean termite infestations. For a chemical barrier termite treatment, a trained technician will apply either a repelant or non-repelant termiticide formula to the foundation of the structure. The idea is to place the chemical in all areas that termites could enter the structure. Not all treatment options are available for all structure types or conditions, so call your local termite control professional today for an inspection and estimate.
Another termite treatment option is termite bait and monitoring systems. These systems use bait stations baited with small peices of wood. These stations are inspected periodically and when activity is found, the wood is replaced with a slow acting bait designed to reduce the numbers of the termite colony or possibly eliminate the termite colony. A termite inspection will allow the termite control professional to determine the best treatment method for each situation.
Subterranean termites need constant moisture and protection from the elements and predators. Termites spend most of their time underground in their colony or foraging for food. Whenever termites come above ground, they build "shelter tubes" or "Mud tubes" made from bits of mud, saliva, and feces. These termite shelter tubes keep the moisture inside the tunnel system and provide protection from predators. It is this behavior that makes termite infestations difficult to detect. Termite shelter tubes or mud tubes can sometimes be seen going up concrete foundation walls in basements and crawlspaces, up exterior foundation walls, in cracks behind door jambs, along floor joists, or in the hollow voids of concrete blocks. The picture to the right shows termite shelter tubes typical of a subterrranean termite infestation.
Because termite evidence is often hidden for many years before it is detected, behind insulation, boxes, stored items, vegetation, fixed wall and ceiling areas, and drywall, it sometimes takes a well trained eye to spot termite activity, we recommend professional termite inspection at least once a year. Many professional termite control companies offer free termite inspections.
Concrete slab homes and homes with additions are often the places where termites are overlooked because of the lack of unfinished areas. Often significant damage can be done before termites are detected. Sometimes termites are not detected untill small bits if mud or shelter tubes are seen protruding through drywall, wallpaper, or ceilings.
The presence of swarmer termites, or alates, which resemble flying ants, is a strong indication that termites are infesting a structure, and it should be inspected immediatly. Subterranean termites are quite common in most of the U.S. with increasing activity and abundance in the southern states and warmer climates. Termite infestation is no reason to panic, modern control techniques are quite safe and effective, and termites work reletively slowly. Many termite treatments come with a limited lifetime warranty. See our real estate page for real estate inspections.