Table Of Content
To help you, we’ll identify the signs of a termite infestation, discuss some ways to eradicate them, and recommend the best pest control providers for the job. There are liquid and foam pesticides you can apply around your home to kill termites. 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.
Droppings and Discarded Wings
Bamboo is one of these — termites have no interest in consuming this fast-growing plant. Cedarwood repels termites for a while — this could be due to its strong smell, which they may find offensive. However, the older a plank of cedar gets, the drier and less odorous it becomes, so eventually, termites will find it appetizing. The sound wood produces is a way to figure out what’s happening inside. Perform a sound test on different areas around the home, starting with wood that’s known (or strongly suspected) to be free of termites. Even though termites have various shades, their body color is usually much lighter than even the lightest ants’.
Discarded Termite Wings
This species is known as the most aggressive termite, able to rapidly reproduce and cause significant damage. In fact, a mature Formosan termite colony can cause severe structural damage to a home in as little as six months and queens can birth over 1,000 eggs each. In addition to wood, this species can damage electric cable insulation and telephone coverages, potentially leading to costly damage and power outages.
Termites - Insect & Pest Control
Bait stations eliminate active termite colonies by feeding them a toxic food source. The food is gradually replaced with bait that contains a slow-acting toxic chemical. 'Swarms of flying termites are not a definite indication of a bug-ridden home.
It's a "busy" termite season in South Florida — and it's not over - Axios
It's a "busy" termite season in South Florida — and it's not over.
Posted: Thu, 18 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
When to Call a Professional
These companies have access to high-quality products that can eradicate termites more quickly and completely than conventional DIY methods. Depending on which state you live in, you may be able to purchase some professional-level termite-killing products like liquid Taurus SC and Termidor SC. You apply these conventional termite treatments to your home’s exterior perimeter to create a barrier.
• Don’t bury scrap wood or leave tree stumps in the vicinity of the house. Works like radar to detect termites moving through wood and under drywall or tile. The detector must be placed within a foot or two of where termites are feeding. Termite workers (left), a single soldier (upper left with large jaws) and a termite swarmer (right). Workers and swarmers are the two termite castes most likely to be seen in a home. The Ascent is a Motley Fool service that rates and reviews essential products for your everyday money matters.
Types of Moths Every Homeowner Should Know
However, you'll need a professional to check cracks and crevices, as the pros know what to look for. They will have specialized tools and knowledge to tailor treatments to your home and the specific size and type of termite infestation you have. Look for signs of termite activity, such as mud tubes, damaged wood, or disregarded wings. Flying termites don't normally stray too far from their nest, so you might be able to locate those that are hidden by following them when you turn off lights.
Termites are one of the most dangerous pests that can take over your home besides disease-carrying mammals. Termites do untold damage to your property and put your safety and that of your family in jeopardy. It is so worth getting regular termite inspections so that you can always catch the issue before it gets too serious.
Termite baits are strategically placed around your yard to lure termites in. Once there, the termites are covered with a slow-acting insecticide or insect growth regulator. There are ways to prevent a termite infestation before it happens, Webb says. There are several reasons why you might suddenly notice a colony of termites invading your home.
Termite swarm season in New Orleans is about to be in full swing - Axios
Termite swarm season in New Orleans is about to be in full swing.
Posted: Mon, 08 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Discarded wings are a physical sign that termites may be in the house, as reproductive termites shed their wings once they find a new place to set up a colony. For this reason, they commonly invade homes, eating at the wood framing, trim and siding. There are many types of termites, each with specific features and preferences, but they all tend to show the same signs as they invade your house. This guide will cover how to tell if you have termites in your walls and how to get rid of termites if you do have them. The presence of mud tubes is a very obvious sign that you have a termite infestation and need to call an exterminator immediately. This sign may come later down the list, but you can actually hear termites chewing the wood in your walls.
This means that termites might signal that it's time to call the plumber. If you notice any signs of a termite pest infestation, be sure to have a pest control technician over to your house as soon as possible. A termite colony can destroy a home's foundation in as little as five years, so don't delay treating this type of pest problem.
Spraying or sprinkling boric acid onto infested areas is a popular method as it kills termites through dehydration. You can buy pre-made versions or make your own by combining one teaspoon of boric acid powder with a cup of water in a spray bottle. Because termites are boring away into your home, the holes they create allow moisture to permeate, resulting in bubbling or peeling paint.
Planting termite-repelling plants like marigolds and vetiver grass around your home can be effective. Additionally, using cedar wood for construction and mulch can act as a natural termite deterrent. Another sign is sawdust, and you will also see frass, which is the technical name for termite droppings. Frass can appear to be reddish brown in color, and sometimes a liquid-like substance is present. It typically looks like piles of dust or tiny pellets, and you will see it on windowsills or against baseboards.
It may imply that the wind blew them up the street or they have flown over to a property from neighbors’ homes,' explains Brett Bennett, Director of Operations, PURCOR Pest. 'Swarmer’s wings are quite fragile and not as strong as a fly’s wings. Alates (winged termites) are naturally tossed about in a stiff breeze. 'A swarm is an indication of a mature colony that is at least 3 years old and is either already residing and causing damage in a structure or in close proximity to the structure. Once the cardboard is infested with termites, you can use insecticide sprays before disposing of and replacing it as needed. Since flying termites are attracted to moisture and wood sources, one of the first things you can do is to address anything that could be making your home an inviting habitat.
The good news is that it’s nothing you did, but is mostly environmental factors that have to be just right to attract these critters to your home. To learn about the habits of termites in your area and state pesticide regulations, contact your state university or local cooperative extension service. When used in combination with a heater, can also make termite galleries visible. Streams of winged termites indoors (or piles of shed wings) almost always means your house is infested. If you find tubes in ceilings or upper levels of your home, it can indicate that you have an aerial infestation. This is usually caused by water leaks and is excluded from a termite contract warranty.
If you are a homeowner, it’s prudent to get annual termite inspections, no matter which species of termite you might have in your home. Pest control professionals can give you a free quote if they see any signs of termite activity during their inspection as to how much it would cost to rid your home of these wood-champing pests. If you know one thing about termites, it’s probably that they eat away at wood—which is a serious threat to any homeowner. But it’s worthwhile to do further research so you can identify the bugs easily. There are 50 species of termites throughout the United States, including subterranean termites, drywood yermites and dampwood termites. Dampwood termites can be spotted throughout the pacific coastal and adjacent states, the desert or semi-arid southwest, and in southern Florida.
