The Ultimate Guide To Termite Control At Home
Termite infestations in homes will often go undetected by homeowners for years since it's difficult to distinguish evidence of activity. Termites will hide in walls or in crawl spaces or in other inaccessible areas within a house. They're sneaky. They dont want to be found or even be outside in sunlight. .
Most termite species are native to North America. Formosan termites are the only species which was transported to U.S. after World War II and are found mostly in California, Florida and along the Gulf Coast.
Termites have three body segments (head, thorax, and abdomen) which are joined widely, unlike those of ants. Species aside, termites are divided into the following broad categories:
Termite larvae are extremely small and white in color. The immatures are cared for by the other termites in the nest until they develop into a worker. Whether they turned into a worker depends on the needs of the colony and will be determined during molting.
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Termites are identified in a couple of different ways. The primary thing that people need to keep in mind is that many times to find evidence of action you truly need to conduct a thorough termite inspection.
Termite droppings (Frass)A heap of stool pellets can be indicative of a termite infestation. The termite droppings often resemble sawdust, as the feces is included of the timber the termites consume.
SwarmersTermite swarms will be the #1 way that many homeowners recognize that they have a termite infestation. These winged termites emerge from nests in huge groups. People might see these winged insects pop out and fly around in swarms near a home. Swarmers are looking to partner and get back to the ground.
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Mud tubesFor subterranean termites, you can identify activity by identifying mud tubes (also called foraging tubes) that termites use for transportation from dirt to cellulose material (AKA your home ). They will build mud tubes whenever they will be subjected to light and predators. In this manner they have a secure travel way to get from Point A to Point B..
You can often find termites on foundation walls where there is an expansion seam where they can get at the structural timber that is resting on the surface of the foundation (basement walls or crawl space walls). On occasion you'll find termites in the corner of the joists and the header boards in the substructure of a home.
Termite galleries and ruined woodAnother way you can identify termite activity is to examine ruined timber for termite galleries. For those that are not trained, it can be challenging to do. Generally, subterranean termite galleries proceed with the grain of the timber. These galleries may often contain mud. Termites want to maintain an optimal humidity/moisture level wherever theyre traveling because they desiccate relatively readily.
Termite galleries are typically found on the substructure of a property like the basement or even a crawlspace. If you examine the structures header board and floor joists that rest upon the foundation wall, then you might be able to identify the gallery. At that point in time, its highly recommended to call in a professional.
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Drywood termites are a tiny bit different. They dont originate from the soil. They actually gallery out and live in the timber theyre infesting her explanation and feeding on. In areas where drywoods are prevalent, you may often find them infesting attics, ceiling joists, roof rafters, on the wooden exteriors of houses, wood posts, wood fascia boards, exposed rafter tails and other wooden constructions in and around a home.You will not find subway in drywood termite galleries but you will find fecal pellets.
The pellets almost seem like heavy grain sand. The colour of drywood termite pellets can fluctuate depending on the type of wood they are infesting on. .
Depending on where you reside in the United States, the termite pressures confronted may be quite different. In the United States, there are approximately 50 species of termites, only 20 of which might be of concern for structures.Subterranean termites are the most common species of termites in most areas in the U.S.
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In states like California and Florida, drywood termites are only as prevalent as subterranean termites. .
Termites consume cellulose material. They'll feed on anything which contains cellulose. Most houses are constructed of conventional lumber that contain click for more info cellulose. Termites have also been known to feed on paper, cardboard, cotton shirts or anything which contains cellulose as a food supply.