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Removal can be accomplished with a broom or vacuum.Fig. 2: Winged termites emerging indoors are a telltale sign of infestation.Q: How will 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 doorways.

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 lawn are not necessarily cause for concern, and do not automatically mean the house is infested.

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

5: Termite colonies contain many employees that consume wood and smaller numbers of soldiers (center) with limbs modified for defense.  Termite-damaged wood is hollowed out along the grain, with bits of dried sand or dirt 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 dirt lining the feeding galleries.Oftentimes there will be no clear indication of infestation. Termites are cryptic monsters and infestations can go undetected for decades, 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 mysterious. This damage was discovered when a vacuum head broke through a baseboard.  Q: Can I treat the house myselfA: Its best not to for home infestations.

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

A possible exception could be if a mailbox or other small wooden object not connected to the home was infested. "Do-it-yourself" products, sold to homeowners in retail stores or bought over the internet, will seldom eradicate an existing termite problem.Q: How do I select 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 indicate the company is an established company with access to technical and training information needed to perform the work correctly. As with any service, references are very beneficial. Consider calling a few companies. Requesting inspections and estimates from more than one will help verify the existence of a termite infestation and make it possible for you to compare services.Companies offer different types of treatment procedures and warranties.

Some companies will also fix damage occurring following their treatment, even though dating onset of termite damage is a hard thing to determine. In some cases, no warranty will be provided 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 Discover More Here firms that try to pressure you into signing a contract immediately with specials or scare tactics. The general grade of the project depends less on the sales person than the individual who ultimately does the work. A safe and effective termite treatment requires an experienced technician, not someone hired a few weeks ago.Q: Which treatment procedure is effectiveA: There are two general categories of termite treatment -- liquids and baits.

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

Such products are usually more dependable controlling infestations in the very first attempt.Fig. 8: Two treatment options for termites: liquid application (left), baiting (appropriate ) Another treatment category is baiting. Termite baits consist of cellulose-based food combined with a slow-acting substance lethal to termites. The baits are go to these guys installed below ground out in the yard in cylindrical vinyl stations.