Termite Page
Do I have termites?What is a termite? How do you get termites? Should I have a termite inspection on my house? If you have questions about termites, we have answers. Termites are cream colored insects about 3/8" long. Their bodies dehydrate (lose moisture)very quickly so they travel inside shelter tubes or mud tubes like the pictures below. Termites live in underground colonies traveling through shelter tubes in search of water and food (wood). These tubes are usually found along the foundation in your crawlspace or unfinished part of your basement, usually on the inside. If you find mud tubes similar to the pictures below, you probably have termites.
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How much does a termite treatment cost?Once a house is infested with termites, they move to surrounding houses in search of new food sources. If you have termites, there is a good chance your neighbors have them or will get them too.
A termite treatment involves injecting 100 or more gallons of diluted insecticide around your foundation. The process will take 1 or 2 technicians 1/2 day or more. Treatment cost depends upon several factors but usually is between $5.00 and $7.00 per linear foot. Please contact us if you would like a quote. |
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Termites or Ants?Termite and carpenter ant damage looks very similar and may be difficult to tell the difference. Carpenter ants do not "eat" wood, they make a home in the wood by carving galleries and carrying out the sawdust. Termites use the wood for food and backfill the galleries with soil.
If you see sawdust, you probably have ants. If you see damage similar to the picture on the right that is clean or may have some sawdust, you probably have ants. If you see damage similar to the picture above or is filled with dirt, you probably have termites. |
 Carpenter Ant Damage |
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Powder Post Beetles produce "shot holes" on the outside of the board which are entrance and exit holes. The inside of the board will have fine dust similar to talcum powder sometimes caked together in moist environments.
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Shot Holes
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Powder Post Beetle Damage
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*Please call us if you have questions or need help identifying your problem.
Subterranean termites live in underground colonies or in moist secluded areas aboveground that can contain up to 2 million members. They build distinctive "mud tubes" to gain access to food sources and to protect themselves from open air. Termite colonies are organized into castes depending on tasks -- workers, soldiers and reproductives. The characteristics of a subterranean termite are dependent on the termite's role in the colony. Cream-colored Worker subterranean termites are 1/8 to 3/8's of an inch in length. Soldier subterranean termites are of a similar body length, but are distinguished by their powerful mandibles. Solider termites have cream-colored bodies and brown heads. Reproductive subterranean termites are approximately one inch long.
Habits: Subterranean termites live underground and build tunnels, referred to as mud tubes, to reach food sources. Like other termite species, they feed on products containing cellulose. Subterranean termites swarm in the spring -- groups of reproductive termites go off to start new colonies.
Habitat: Subterranean termites need contact with the soil to survive and live underground. They can build tunnels through cracks in concrete.
Threats: Subterranean termites are by far the most destructive species. They can collapse a building entirely, meaning possible financial ruin for a homeowner. The hard, saw-toothed jaws of termites work like shears and are able to bite off extremely small fragments of wood, one piece at a time.
Prevention: Avoid water accumulation near your home's foundation. Divert water away with properly functioning downspouts, gutters and splash blocks. Reduce humidity in crawl spaces with proper ventilation. Never bury wood scraps or waste lumber in the yard. Most importantly, eliminate wood contact with the soil. Maintain a one-inch gap between the soil and wood portions of the building.
Habits: Subterranean termites live underground and build tunnels, referred to as mud tubes, to reach food sources. Like other termite species, they feed on products containing cellulose. Subterranean termites swarm in the spring -- groups of reproductive termites go off to start new colonies.
Habitat: Subterranean termites need contact with the soil to survive and live underground. They can build tunnels through cracks in concrete.
Threats: Subterranean termites are by far the most destructive species. They can collapse a building entirely, meaning possible financial ruin for a homeowner. The hard, saw-toothed jaws of termites work like shears and are able to bite off extremely small fragments of wood, one piece at a time.
Prevention: Avoid water accumulation near your home's foundation. Divert water away with properly functioning downspouts, gutters and splash blocks. Reduce humidity in crawl spaces with proper ventilation. Never bury wood scraps or waste lumber in the yard. Most importantly, eliminate wood contact with the soil. Maintain a one-inch gap between the soil and wood portions of the building.
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IN OUR OPINION Termidor is the only product we would consider using on your home and it is the product of choice for most of the homes treated in the US. Termidor is not the cheapest product on the market but definitely the best. Your home is a huge asset, don't trust it to anything less than the best. We started using Termidor in 2000 and have not had a single problem or callback since. PLEASE call us today so we can treat your home with Termidor, you'll be glad you did.
Pictures and information compliments of National Pest Management Associaton