Termite Treatment
How Do I Identify A Termite Infestation?
Appearance - It is common to mistake termites for winged ants, so it's important to note the difference. Ants have narrow, wasp-like waists; termites have wide waists. Also, a termite's wings are about much larger, almost twice the length of its body. If you find wings, droppings or mud tubes, then call your local termite control technician immediately for professional termite treatment.
Behavior - Termites lose their wings soon after finding a new colony site; thus, if you spot termite wings on your property in Local, then there is a high probability that an underground nest is likely to be underway nearby.
These pests swarm before establishing a new colony, and this is the most common indicator that a termite infestation is impending. In severe cases, they can be seen to the naked eye swarming in masses, usually when a light is turned on at night.
Upon a close look, wood attacked by termites has passages that have been coated with what looks like an Earth-like material. Where the wood has been infested for some time, it may be mostly hollowed out with passages and may look rotten. If the rotten wood is inspected with a tool or screwdriver, it will crumble, and many worker termites will often spill out.
Why Could I Have Termites?
Termites congregate to areas with moisture, which is why pipes, A/C units and other home fixtures that may be prone to leaking should be repaired.
Homes with cracks in the foundation, older homes, and homes with a large amount of wood indoors and outdoors are more susceptible to termite infestations.
Keeping plants and mulch maintained, getting rid of yard debris and old stumps and keeping firewood away from the home can help.
Why Should I Treat My Termite Problem Immediately?
Termite problems in are not to be taken lightly. Termites do more damage to homes than all natural disasters combined; they can cause significant, expensive damage to homes and businesses in an extremely short period.
Putting off calling a professional will cause the termite infestations to spiral out of control. At first sight of signs of an infestation, experienced local termite control professionals should be contacted to treat current termite issues and prevent further problems.
How to Get Rid of Termites
Termites are one of the scariest pests for homeowners. They are not the creepiest looking or the most dangerous to humans. Instead, they are wreaking havoc on your home's structure. Houses have been condemned or at least accrued thousands of dollars of damage because of termites.
It is essential to keep your eyes peeled for any sign of termites. If you notice them, you need to call professional termite removal services immediately.
How Do I Spot a Termite Problem?
Knowing the signs of a termite problem is the best way homeowners have of protecting themselves against this pest. Thankfully, there are several signs to be on the lookout for.
- Seeing a termite or their droppings.
Termites eat wood and drywall, and they also use it as a means of transportation. You are unlikely to actually see the termites in your home. They are more likely to be protected in your walls or ceiling. However, you may notice termite droppings. These look like small piles of sawdust. - Noticing mud tunnels.
Termites move through your home by using mud tunnels. These are pencil-thin tubes of mud and dirt. They are often found along baseboards or on the foundation of your home. The termites walk in the mud tunnels to get from their nest to their feeding sites. - Experiencing swarms.
Termite swarms are most common in the spring. They occur when the termites are looking for a new place to nest. This is the only time when termites have wings. If you see a swarm of termites or large piles of old wings, you may have termites living in your home. - Hearing hollow wood.
Termites eat wood from the inside out. That means any wood with termites will sound hollow. The wood may also buckle if enough material has been removed. - Finding blisters in your wood flooring.
In addition to hollowing out and damaging the wood, termite damage will cause blisters. This type of termite damage looks similar to water damage. It almost always occurs in flooring. As the termites eat the sub-floor, the upper floor appears blistered.
How Do I Get Rid of Termites?
Termite removal is not something a homeowner should undertake by themselves. You can prevent termites by keeping wood stored far away from your home. You can also fix any water leaks. But an actual infestation always requires professional help to fix. If you notice any of the signs of termites listed above, then you need to contact an exterminator as soon as possible.
Termite removal experts will conduct a preliminary investigation. It will determine where the termites are and how much damage they have caused. Depending on the severity of the problem, the exterminator may also recommend help from a contractor. Once you know the state of the termite infestation, it is time to get to work. You will likely need to leave your home as the termite exterminator works. They will give you all the information you need to optimize your chance of successful termite removal.
If you suspect that your home has termites, you need help immediately. Let GoLocal Pest Control help you find the best termite removal experts in your area. Visit our website to learn more.
How to Prevent Termites
Other than mosquitoes, termites are one of the most dangerous pests to have on your property. They can eat your home's wood out from right underneath you. That can cause thousands of dollars of structural damage or even condemn your home. The best way to ensure your home is not damaged by termites is to prevent them from entering in the first place.
Why Do I Have Termites?
There are lots of termite species, only three are destructive to homes. These three termite species are subterranean, drywood, and Formosan. Similar things attract all three types of termites to your house. So, you do not need to prevent against each of the three types separately.
Here are a few of the most common reasons destructive termites decide to move into your home.
- There is a lot of wood.
Termites each wood. All homes have wood parts. But if your home is a complete wood structure, it is more likely to attract termites. The more wood there is for the termites to eat, the more they will likely be in your home. - There was wood in contact with your home.
Most termite species live happily outside. They eat rotting logs and other wood. If those logs are in contact with your home, however, it can make a termite infestation more likely. - They have ready access to water.
In addition to wood, termites are attracted to moisture. They especially like rotting or wet wood. If your home has leaks or moist spots, then termites are much more likely.
How Do I Prevent Termites?
Preventing termites is important to keep your home safe and undamaged. Termites can be prevented; you just have to follow the tips below.
- Keep woodpiles at least thirty feet from your home.
Termites live in woodpiles. If they are in wood that is touching your home, it is a lot easier for them to invade. Keeping any woodpiles at least thirty feet from your home will help to prevent a termite infestation. - Fix any moisture around the foundation of the home.
Termites are also attracted to moisture. They especially like excess moisture around your foundation. Make sure that there is proper drainage around your foundation. You should also use downspouts to take water away from the house. - Clear up all mulch.
Too much mulch around the outside of your home can also create an ideal scenario for termites. You don't have to get rid of the mulch entirely. Just keep it at least four inches from the foundation of your house. - Contact a termite expert.
More security is better when it comes to termites. To be sure that you have done everything necessary for termite prevention, you need to contact a termite removal expert. They can help you find and fix any potential problems that could cause a termite infestation. At GoLocal Pest Control, we can help you find the best termite control company in your area. Contact us today to learn more.
What Do Termites Look Like?
Termites are also called the "silent destroyers." This is because they can cause thousands of dollars of damage to your home without you even realizing it. Termites are an extremely scary pest. In a year they cost homeowners around $5 billion collectively.
It is important to keep you're a watch for the signs of a termite infestation. One of the best things you can do to help yourself is to know what termites look like. Termites can be hard to spot because they live in the wood of your home. But, if you do see them, you need to know exactly what you are looking at.
Keep reading to learn all about termites and what they look like.
How Many Species of Termites Are There?
Worldwide there are about 2,000 known termite species. You don't have to learn about 2,000 different kinds of termites, though. There are only 45 termite species in the United States. All forty-five of these species fall into the following three types.
- Subterranean:
These termites build their nests underground. They then travel to damaged wood for food. - Drywood:
Drywood termites build their nests in wood. They do not need much moisture to survive. - Dampwood:
Dampwood termites prefer damp and decaying wood to build their colonies in.
All three types of termites can invade our homes. However, drywood and subterranean termites are far more common. Dampwood termites tend to stay outdoors.
What Do Termites Look Like?
All termite species have their own distinctive characteristics. However, termites have a very similar appearance.
Termites, like ants, structure their colonies on a caste system. There are three castes: soldiers, workers, and reproductive. The different castes will have slightly different sizes and general appearances. Most worker termites will look the same, no matter their species. It is the soldiers and reproductive that vary in appearance.
Below we discuss each of the three termite types in more detail.
- Subterranean:
Reproductives are dark brown and black. They are usually ¼-1/2 inch long. They have two pairs of wings. Soldiers do not have wings, but they do have large jaws. They are white with a brown head. Workers are about ¼ inch long and white. - Drywood:
The reproductive of this type have two sets of wings. They always shed their wings once they have found a nesting site. They are usually about ½ inch long. The soldiers and workers in Drywood termite colonies are larger than their Subterranean termite counterparts. - Dampwood:
The reproductive in dampwood colonies can get quite large, almost 1 inch long. They also have wings. The soldiers and workers are usually about 0.78 inches long.
Termites are not a pest to let be. You need to hire professional removal services immediately upon recognizing an infestation. Termites cause way too much damage to be left alone.
If you are struggling to find good termite removal in your area, GoLocal Pest Control can help. Contact us today to learn more.
How to Find an Exterminator to Help with Termites
You should always be on the lookout for a termite problem. Although termites do not bite or spread diseases like other pests, they can cause a lot of damage to your home. Termite damages cost U.S. homeowners thousands of dollars every year. Extremely bad termite outbreaks may even cause a house to be condemned.
To keep termites from eating away at your home, you need to find a good exterminator. Here are the best tips for finding an exterminator to help with termites.
What Should I Look for in a Termite Exterminator?
Termites are unfortunately a common pest. Most pest control companies will list termites as one of the pests they exterminators. However, termites and termite damage can be a notoriously hard problem to solve. You need to find a company that specializes in termite removal.
How do you find the best termite exterminators? Ask the following questions.
- What is your termite removal process?
- Will you fix any damage to my home, or is there a contractor you recommend?
- How long will the termite removal take?
- Do I need to live outside my home while you exterminate the termites?
- Are your methods toxic? How can I protect myself and my pets?
- How long will it take for me to see the results?
- Do you or your technicians have certifications for termite removal?
The answers you get from these questions will help you narrow down your termite exterminator choices.
What Should I Expect from Termite Exterminators?
Termite specialists will have a specific termite removal process. As with all pest control, this process will start with an inspection. The technician will determine where the termites' nest and feeding sites are located. They will also learn how big an infestation you have. To do a thorough investigation, the technician will need access to your entire home.
Once the technician has finished the inspection, they will give you the results. They may recommend full treatment or preventative treatment. They will also give you suggestions on how to prevent termite outbreaks in the future. Termite treatment comes in many types. There is fumigation, heat treatment, and green treatments. If you choose fumigation, you will need to leave your home. Discuss what is involved in each of these treatments with your exterminator before they begin.
How Do I Find an Exterminator to Help with Termites?
There is a lot of ways to get rid of termites. However, the most essential component in any treatment is a good exterminator. Local exterminators will give you the most individualized service. They are more likely to take your unique situation into account when suggesting treatments. This is why you should choose a local termite exterminator.
Finding a great local exterminator doesn't have to be a challenge. Just use the location finder on GoLocal Pest Control's website. We offer the most qualified and quality, pre-screened exterminators you will find. No matter where you live, you will find a great termite control company when you use GoLocal Pest Control.