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Removal can be accomplished using a broom or vacuum.Fig. 2: Winged termites emerging indoors are a telltale sign of infestation.Q: How can I know if my home is infestedA: Discovering winged termites indoors almost always indicates an infestation warranting treatment. Since the swarmers are attracted to light, they often are seen around windows and doors.

Termites have straight antennae, a uniformly thickened waist, and wings of equal dimensions. Conversely, ants have elbowed antennae, constricted waists, and forewings which are longer than the hind wings.Fig. 3: Termite swarmers are often confused with winged ants.Swarms of termites emerging from tree stumps, woodpiles, etc. outside in the yard are not necessarily cause for concern, and do not necessarily mean the home is infested.

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Termites construct the tubes for refuge as they travel between their underground colonies and the structure. To help determine if an infestation is busy, the tubes may be broken open and assessed for the presence of little, creamy-white worker termites. If a tube happens to be vacant, it does not necessarily mean that the infestation is inactive; termites often abandon sections of tube while foraging elsewhere in the structure.Fig.

5: Termite colonies contain many employees that consume wood and smaller numbers of soldiers (center) with jaws modified for defense.  Termite-damaged timber is hollowed out along the grain, with pieces of dried mud or soil lining the feeding galleries. Wood damaged by moisture or other kinds of insects (e.g., carpenter ants) will not have this appearance.

Rippled or sunken traces behind wall coverings can also be indicative of termites tunneling underneath.Fig. 6: Termite-damaged hardwood has soil lining the feeding galleries.Oftentimes there will be no clear indication of infestation. Termites are mysterious monsters and infestations can go undetected for years, hidden behind partitions, floor coverings, insulation, and other obstructions.

Confirmation of termites often requires the keen eye of a professional -- nonetheless, even the most experienced inspector can miss signs that are hidden.Fig. 7: Termites are cryptic. This damage was detected when a vacuum head broke through a baseboard.  Q: Can I treat the house her latest blog myselfA: Its best not to for home infestations.

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A knowledge of building construction is needed to identify crucial areas where termites are more likely to enter. Many of these potential points of entry are hidden and hard to access. Termite control additionally utilizes specialized equipment such as strong masonry drills, large-capacity spray tanks, and long metal rods for injecting soil.

A possible exception might be if a mailbox or other little wooden object not attached to the house was infested. "Do-it-yourself" goods, sold to homeowners in retail stores or purchased over the internet, will rarely eradicate an existing termite problem.Q: How do I choose a termite company Why is there such variance in priceA: These are complicated questions.

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Membership in their nation pest control association and/or National Pest Management Association suggest the company is an established company with access to technical and training information needed to perform the job correctly. As with any service, references are extremely beneficial. Consider calling a few companies. Requesting inspections and quotes from more than one will help confirm the existence of a termite infestation and allow you to compare services.Companies offer you different types of treatment methods and warranties.

Some companies will also repair damage occurring following their treatment, although dating onset of termite damage is a tough thing to determine. In some circumstances, no warranty will be offered in case wells, drainage systems, sub-slab heat ducts, or inaccessible crawl spaces make it impossible to treat in accordance with industry standards.Take your time when selecting a company.

Avoid companies that try to pressure you into signing a contract immediately with specials or scare tactics. The overall grade of the job depends less on the sales person than the individual who ultimately does the job. A safe and effective termite treatment requires an experienced technician, not someone hired a couple weeks ago.Q: Which treatment method is effectiveA: There are two general categories of termite treatment -- fluids and baits.

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Their purpose is to extend a long-lasting barrier in the soil which prevents termites from entering and infesting buildings. In most cases, termites within the building die off too, since they cannot return to the dirt for supplemental moisture. Most former liquid termiticides were repellent rather than fatal to termites foraging in the dirt.

Such products are often more dependable controlling infestations in the first attempt.Fig. 8: Two treatment options for termites: liquid application (left), baiting (right) Another treatment class is baiting. Termite baits consist of cellulose-based food combined with a slow-acting substance lethal to termites. The baits are installed below ground outside in the yard in cylindrical plastic stations.