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It is so worth getting regular termite inspections so that you can always catch the issue before it gets too serious. Not only are termites expensive to get rid of — the damage they cause is a huge financial burden. However, if you own several properties, you need to have them inspected regularly so that even if they’re not inhabited, you’re kept aware of the termite situation.
Wood that’s around or part of your home is hollow-sounding.
Subterranean termites, the most common type of termites in the U.S., need moisture to survive. Most household wood doesn’t have enough moisture for them to thrive, so they create mud tubes to allow moisture from underground into their workspace. Unlike subterranean and Formosan termites, drywood termites do not require contact with the soil and usually infest undecayed wood. They are typically between 3/8 and one inch long and often establish nests in roof materials and wooden wall supports, along with dead wood that may be around the home.
How Much Does Termite Treatment Cost? (2024 Guide)
Termites cannot destroy these foundations, but they can slip through a space that’s even as narrow as a few pieces of cardstock paper. Therefore, they can still access the wood in your home from the bottom up, especially subterranean termites. Like all termites, dampwood termites consume the cellulose found in wood and from this, they also build their homes.
How Much Does a Pest Inspection Cost?
One of the most common signs that you might have a termite infestation is if you see damaged wood. This could indicate that either you currently have termites in your home or that you had a termite problem in the past. However, one thing you can do to check whether your wall, table or another wooden item might be damaged is to lightly tap it with a hammer. There are liquid and foam pesticides you can apply around your home to kill termites.
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With its flexible shaft and fiber-optic light, this instrument allows inspectors to peer through a small hole into hollow walls. Termites chewing into dry wood usually leave a thin veneer, which may appear blistered or dark and breaks through easily when pressed. Dan Casarella is a Philadelphia-based copywriter, podcast producer, and small business development specialist. In his spare time, he likes to tackle DIY home projects such as building bookshelves from scratch and restoring furniture. In recent years, several bait systems have been introduced to help reduce the overall use of insecticides and their impact on human health and the environment. These systems rely on cellulose baits that contain a slow-acting insecticide.
How to Get Rid of Termites Safely and Effectively
One thing that differentiates flying termites from flying ants is their two pairs of wings that are equal in size. Ants, on the other hand, have front wings that are larger than their hind wings. Unlike flying ants, they have straight, bead-like antennae, and broad waists.
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According to Webb, professionals may use different methods for treating homes. One would be to create a treated zone in the soil around the house with a liquid treatment material. Another method is to use termite baits that the termite colony members will feed on and spread throughout the colony, eliminating the termite colony or colonies in the area.
Light's out, termites are swarming! - NBC 15 WPMI
Light's out, termites are swarming!.
Posted: Wed, 10 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
How to Get Rid of Termites
You should also look for wood damage to your home, as termites feed on wooden structures. It's common to mistake termites for water damage, so be on the lookout. Subterranean termites are found throughout the continental United States. These pests build their colonies underground and can travel above ground to access food sources. They enter homes through cracked or unsealed foundations as well as through tunnels constructed from mud, their feces, and saliva.
In addition to writing for Forbes, Brionna creates content for start-ups and service-based businesses. Check any of the wood pieces around your home for faint lines that could indicate a termite tunnel. There will usually be many lines in various directions, similar to a maze. Termites are used to hiding from birds and other predators, Webb says, and they don’t even like to interact with other insects. • Clean overflowing gutters and use splash blocks to divert water away from foundation.
Termites and flying ants possess a very similar appearance, enough so that, without closer inspection, you may mistake one for the other. In order to effectively treat your pests, you must properly identify which insect is responsible for your infestation. Termite infestations can be a real problem for homeowners, with some causing significant, lasting damage. These pests will colonize within a home, feeding on and destroying the house’s wood.
Knowing the differences between these two types is important because the way they enter homes and the treatment methods for each are different. They will have specialized tools and knowledge to tailor treatments to your home and the specific size and type of termite infestation you have. These systems contain specially designed bait stations with cellulose materials to attract termites. Look for signs of termite activity, such as mud tubes, damaged wood, or disregarded wings.
Liquids can be sprayed on soil, mulch, or wood chips, while foams are a good option for hard-to-reach cracks and crevices. There are also dust and powder products for even-harder-to-reach cracks. The termiticides will kill the bugs upon contact and/or they’ll spread the poison to their colony. They usually feed on the wood that frames and supports the structure, where they are protected from temperature and moisture extremes.” And where they are protected from your eyeballs.
Termites create tiny pinholes as a way to exit walls and move out of their colonies. They could also make crevices to enter the walls or maneuver around your home. Tiny pin found holes in drywall are usually a good indicator of a termite infestation. Some termites will fill in the holes to protect their colony inside, but this is not always the case. These indentations are one of a few early signs of termites in drywall. For this reason, they commonly invade homes, eating at the wood framing, trim and siding.
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