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Removal can be achieved 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 doorways.

Termites have straight antennae, a uniformly thickened waist, and wings of equal size. 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 necessarily mean the house is infested.

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Termites construct the tubes for refuge as they travel between their underground colonies and also the arrangement. To help determine if an infestation is busy, the tubes might be broken open and assessed 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 workers that consume wood and smaller numbers of soldiers (center) with limbs altered for defense.  Termite-damaged wood is hollowed out along the grain, with pieces of dried sand or soil lining the feeding galleries. Wood damaged by moisture or other types 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 walls, floor coverings, insulation, and other obstructions.

Confirmation of termites often necessitates the keen attention of a professional -- however, even the most experienced inspector can overlook signs which are hidden.Fig. 7: Termites are mysterious. This damage was detected when a vacuum head broke through a baseboard.  Q: Can I handle 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 difficult to access. Termite control also uses specialized equipment such as strong masonry drills, large-capacity spray tanks, and long metal rods for injecting dirt.

A possible exception might be if a mailbox post or other small wooden object not connected to the home was infested. "Do-it-yourself" products, sold to homeowners in retail stores or purchased over the internet, will rarely 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 using technical and training information needed to do the job correctly. As with any service, references are extremely beneficial. Consider calling a few companies. Requesting inspections and estimates from more than one will help verify the existence of a termite infestation and allow you to compare services.Companies offer you different forms of treatment procedures and warranties.

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

Avoid firms that try to pressure you into signing a contract immediately with specials or scare tactics. The general grade of the job depends less more tips here 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 method is most 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 that prevents termites from entering and infesting buildings. In most cases, termites already 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 lethal to termites foraging in the dirt.

Such products are often more dependable controlling infestations in the very first attempt.Fig. 8: 2 treatment options for termites: liquid application (left), baiting (right) The other treatment category is baiting. Termite baits consist of cellulose-based meals combined with some slow-acting substance lethal to termites. The baits are installed below ground outside in the yard in cylindrical plastic stations.