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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 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 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 automatically mean the home is infested.

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Termites construct the tubes for refuge as they travel between their underground colonies and also the structure. To help determine if an infestation is busy, the tubes might 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 whilst foraging elsewhere in the structure.Fig.

5: Termite colonies contain many workers that consume wood and smaller numbers of soldiers (center) with limbs modified for defense.  Termite-damaged timber is hollowed out along the grain, with bits of dried mud or dirt 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 wood has dirt lining the feeding galleries.Oftentimes there will be no obvious 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 which are hidden.Fig. 7: Termites are cryptic. This damage was detected when a vacuum head broke through a baseboard.  Q: Can I treat the home 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 most 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 dirt.

A possible exception might be if a mailbox post or other little wooden object not attached to the home was infested. "Do-it-yourself" products, offered to homeowners at 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 complex questions.

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Membership in their state 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 do the job correctly. Just like any service, references are very helpful. 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 methods and warranties.

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

Avoid firms that attempt to pressure you into signing a contract immediately with specials or scare tactics. The general 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 few weeks ago.Q: Which treatment method is effectiveA: There click this are two general kinds of termite treatment -- fluids and baits.

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Their objective is to provide a long-lasting barrier in the soil which prevents termites from entering and infesting buildings. In most scenarios, 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 ) 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 out in the yard in cylindrical vinyl stations.