CONSIDER THEM GONE® Terminate your termites.™ Termite Extermination.
This termite pest control company is here to help you understand your environmental enemies and what you can do to prevent them from invading your living space and help you terminate your termites.
Each pest is unique as well as the treatments available to control and eliminate them.. Education is the key to success in any situation.The best way to eliminate termites is by a bait system. These termite bait systems are available at most home improvement stores. Education is Dedication™.
Subterranean termites are the most destructive insect pests of wood in the United States. They cause over two billion dollars in damage every year. That equals more damage than fire and windstorm damage combined.
In our ecosystem, subterranean termites are beneficial. They break down dead trees and other wood materials that would otherwise accumulate which is recycled to the soil.
Termites become pests when they interfere with human structures -- homes, buildings such as sheds, and warehouses. Their presence is not usually noticed because their activity mostly occurs behind walls and in crawl spaces.
Homeowners in Raleigh and all areas of North Carolina should watch for subterranean termite activity and take action to prevent infestations. To minimize damage from termites, it is helpful to know as much as possible about this enemy. They live in every state except Alaska.
Subterranean termites are insects that live in nests or colonies in the soil, similar to ants, hence the name “subterranean.” There are reproductives, workers and soldiers.
A termite colony matures after roughly two to four years. At that time swarmers are produced. In Raleigh, swarming usually takes place from January to May, during the daytime, and frequently after raining. The number of swarmers produced is relative to the age and size of the colony.
Both genders of swarmers fly varying distances. However, they are weak fliers and wind currents usually help them reach farther distances. Only a small percentage of swarmers survive and end up developing colonies; the majority are eaten by birds, toads, insects and other predators. Just as many die from dehydration or injury.
A male and female swarmer that does survive, lands and immediately seeks refuge under and shelter. The pair makes a small nest before mating. Initially, the new queen termite lays only a few eggs. The male, or king, remains with the female for continued mating and egg production.
Only a few hundred eggs are layed during the first year. In subsequent years, the young queen grows larger and is able to lay more eggs. In a few weeks, larvae hatch and are cared for by the two termites. The larvae molt into workers, and then into presoldiers. If the queen dies, secondary reproductives take over the queen’s duties.
The size of a colony depends on factors including location, food, environment, and especially temperature and moisture. Some colonies remain small; others contain up to several thousand termites.
Subterranean termites derive their nutrition from wood and other material containing cellulose. Paper, cardboard, burlap or other plant products are actively attacked and consumed by termites. Subterranean termites cannot digest cellulose. They depend on large numbers of one-celled animals (protists) living in the termite hind gut to break down the cellulose to simple acetic acid, which termites can digest.
Moisture is essential for subterranean termites, which have very susceptable to dehydration. They must maintain contact with the soil or other above-ground moisture sources, to survive.
Subterranean termites also must protect themselves from temperature extremes and attack from enemies and predators. Termites that attempt to find food above ground, protect themselves with shelter tubes or mud tubes. Worker termites build the tubes from dirt or wood particles and debris held together by their salivary secretions. The tubes may be small or large and thick-walled to accommodate many termites moving vertically between the soil and the food source. Shelter tubes often are used across masonry and stone, allowing termites access to a food source such as your home's walls.
Dead trees and brush are the primary food source of subterranean termites. When land is cleared of this material and houses are built on these sites, termites tend to attempt to attack the structures. Termites can enter buildings by building shelter tubes up the foundation. Materials in direct contact with the soil, including trees, vines, or fireplace wood piles, are all favorites of termites. The presence of swarmers, their wings, or mud tubes are signs that termites are infesting a structure. The presence of swarmers outdoors is a natural phenomenon, but should warn that termites are near and possibly attacking a nearby building. Another indication of a termite infestation is the wings discarded by swarmers as a normal part of their behavior. They can be found near emergence sites, on window sills or even in spider webs. Infestations also can be detected by the presence of shelter tubes going up the sides of piers, utility entrances or foundation walls. Wood damage often is not found in the beginning, many times because it is inside walls or underneath floors, but damages indicates termite infestation.
Thorough inspections can determine if damage are present and whether infestations are active. Inspections can be performed by anyone who knows the basic symptoms, such as YOURSELF, now that you have read this. Also the photographs we have provided give you a better idea what to look for. Check outside around the foundation of the house, and in any crawl spaces (which are extremely dark and moist and attractive to termites), garages, sheds and other structures for shelter tubes and wings or damaged wood.
Chemicals applied to the soil can deter attacks for many years. To prevent termite entry, develop a barrier of chemically treated soil between the structure and deeper soil areas. Chemical soil treatment before construction can be as effective as treating existing structures and is considerably less expensive. Chemicals applied during certain phases of construction eliminate the necessity of drilling injection holes, allow more accurate application and do not disrupt the household. Unfortunately, many municipalities do not require pretreatment in building codes or do not enforce compliance. When building a home, insist that the contractor or architect specify pretreatment. Check city building code requirements also.
Newer treatment techniques use foam or baiting systems. These are affordable and are easily purchased from home improvement stores such as Home Depot. They are suitable and effective for treating the soil directly. Make liquid applications first and then use foam as a secondary application method.
Control services offer several choices in baiting systems to treat termites. This technology requires that the applicator know termite biology and behavior to apply the baits correctly. It also demands diligent monitoring. Some baiting systems are advertised to be used alone in termite control; others are used with liquid termiticides. In general, baits require several trips to the job site for installation and monitoring. Control may take from a few weeks to more than a year.
These treatment strategies are for subterranean termites, ONLY. Drywood termites are treated differently, usually by removing infested wood, using spot treatments where the colony is located, or, if needed, by tarping the structure and fumigating.
Termite treatment requires specialized equipment such as drills, pressure injectors, pressure-generating pumps and high-gallon tanks. Therefore, in almost every instance, using the services of professional pest control operators is recommended. They are familiar with construction principles and practices, have the necessary equipment, and know termite biology and habits. Members of the pest control industry who offer termite control may be licensed or certified by a state agency for competence in treatment procedures that provide safe and effective control.
YOU are always responsible for the effects of pesticide residues on livestock and crops, as well as problems that could arise from contamination of neighboring property. Always read and follow carefully the instructions on any container label. The information given herein is for educational purposes only.
BAIT SYTEMS ARE THE BEST WAY TO: Terminate Your Termites!™
Sources: Texas A&M
