What Does Termite Control Procedure Do?

Mud tubesUnlike ants, termites do not roam around on the soil surface or out in the open. They'll either tunnel through the soil or into wood (or other material) or else traveling inside pencil-size (or bigger )"mud tubes" that they build from dirt, wood contaminants and other substances. You'll find these tubes on foundation walls, floor joists or different parts of the house.

Split open the tubes to see if termites are still active. An empty tube doesn't necessarily mean that termites are gone; they might have simply abandoned this specific tunnel. Termites often rebuild damaged tubes, which is another indication of current action. 'Old' tubes are sterile and crumble easily, leaving behind"etching" on the surface that could be observable for years (an indication that a house had termite activity at some time).

Tubes which are found on ceilings or on top levels of a building may indicate you have an aboveground ("airborne") infestation, i.e., the termite colony actually resides in the building and the termites are traveling from the ground. Mud tubes built by an aboveground colony usually contain substances other than soil, e.g., wood and sheet rock or anything the termites are feeding on.

The Main Principles Of Termite Control Process

In such situations, a comprehensive inspection may require removal of siding or interior wallboards, etc.. More importantly for you, these aboveground infestations cannot be controlled with the usual soil treatment (see below) and therefore are typically deducted from a termite contract warranty. In such situations, finding and correcting the moisture problem is the very first step to eliminating the termites. .

We tend to think about termites as feeding/injuring timber only. Termites really feed on almost anything that contains cellulose, the main component of wood, including wood paneling, paper products, cardboard boxes, art canvases, the newspaper covering of sheet rock, carpeting, etc.. While foraging and feeding, they could tunnel through non-cellulosic materials, such as plastic and foamboard.

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In fact, the amount of damage that termites cause depends on many factors. In regions with cold winter temperatures, termite activity (and Recommended Reading feeding) often declines, but does not necessarily cease. When the termites are well-protected from colder temperatures (e.g., underneath a slab), then activity may continue year-round. From a practical perspective, severe termite damage usually takes about 3-8 decades. .

There's absolutely no accurate method for determining the era of recently found damage. You need some reference point, i.e., some point in time when it was known that there was no website here harm to this particular wood. This can be one reason why annual inspections (and keeping your records of these inspections) are important. .

NOTE: These inspections are not a guarantee that you do not have termites or harm in areas which are not covered or not readily seen, such as inside walls. However, the inspections can reveal conditions that might imply that damage does exist and additional investigation is needed.

If you've got a termite protection contract, contact the pest control company quickly and arrange for them to check out the issue. If you do not have a termite contract, telephone 2-3 (or more) companies and have each one inspect your house and offer you the details of their findings and any recommendations for a plan of action to correct any termite conditions they found.

Some Known Details About Termite Control Procedure

Termites do not cause significant harm in a short time period, so spending a few added days or even a few weeks will not make any actual difference in terms how much damage happens. .

Can there be damage that should be repaired or at least examined by a contractor or engineer before control steps are performed

Only spraying swarmers or the surface of accessible infested wood may kill the termites which you see now, but it does not stop the infestation nor does it protect your home from future attacks . The most common type of termite treatment involves a"trench and cure" in which a liquid insecticide ("termiticide") is applied to the soil surrounding crucial areas of your residence.

The 10-Minute Rule for Termite Control Process

The soil is trenched 6" deep and about 4-6" wide. For homes with crawlspaces, termite inspection in adelaide the dirt along the interior foundation wall must be treated within 4 feet of identified signs of termite activity. In some cases, the soil around supports (for example, piers) underneath the home are also treated.

When applied correctly, this treatment creates a continuous chemical barrier which should prevent termites from reaching the foundation and piers in your house. .

Concrete slabs that attach to the home, for example, a garage floor, or the slab of an earth-filled porch.