Choosing The Best Termite Pest Control
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Termite damage is now a widespread problem in the United States, due to various reasons including the climates it offers for successful breeding of the insects, and the popularity of wood as a material for housing. As a result, there are millions and millions of termite colonies all over America that are just waiting to pounce on your home.
So what can you do to control or eliminate termite damage? One basic method is to simply contact a termite pest control company to look into your problem and apply the different treatment methods available. However, you need to ensure the ones chosen should provide permanent destruction of the termite colonies invading your home, instead of a temporary warding off of the bugs.
A very common method used is that of using barriers. Barriers are set up around the potential entry points for termites into your home, by placing poison in the ground which can kill these insects. This method, however potent, has its loopholes and it requires constant maintenance. Termites can simply try to find a way round the barriers, so you need to ensure all routes are covered.
As subterranean termites are the most common types found in the United States, most of the pest control companies should be familiar with available measures used to control and destroy these pests. Yet, many pest control companies fail to be around for a long time due to different reasons. This means you have to do your homework and find a termite pest control company that has experienced certain longevity. This will provide some assurance required for long-standing termite maintenance work.
Also look out for companies which provide extra maintenance contractually. Do not worry about being tied to a long standing contract with regard to termite pest control. If you have experienced termite attack and damage in your home, be sure that the problem can and will return despite destruction of existing colonies. This is because due to the climate conditions your home is in, that already provides a potential breeding ground for termites regardless.
How Do You Differentiate Termites From Ants?
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How do you tell the difference between termites and ants? It is amazing that many people actually think they are the same, when there are many differences. It is even more incredible that most people cannot tell me whether it is an ant or termite that is put in front of their eyes.
Why should you be able to know if it is ants or termites that you see? One reason is the cost of pest control that you will hire. Getting rid of ants can be done yourself by tracing the ant trail and burning the nest. Finding termite nests is much tougher as they can hide buried deep in the ground. That is why you should hire professional pest control companies to provide expert assistance.
So how can you spot a termite from an ant? There are currently hundreds of termite species and they differ in traits and appearance. The rank of a termite in its colony can also be told from its physical appearance.
While ants are usually little and black in color except for red ants which will not be mistaken for termites, termites can range in different shades of brown. Queen termites are usually the ones with different colors, but you would not need to know them too well as they are often found only within termite nests. They also have more wings than other termite ranks. Four large wings compared to the usual two.
Soldier termites on the other hand are commonly in a shade of yellowish brown. These are the termites which can hurt you, with huge powerful mandibles. Their heads are also larger than the termites of other ranks.
Finally, worker termites are the tiniest of the line because of their function. They are also easy to differentiate from ants. Worker termites are white in color. They are the ones that you would normally see in your wooden furniture, attacking and breaking down your home as they gather food and material for their nests and colonies.
From the above, you should have an easier job of telling the difference between ants and termites. Remember that it is important that you know, as termites are more dangerous and difficult to get rid of, compared to ants.
Basic Termite Control Tips
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Termites, not ants, can very easily be the difference between you having a home that lasts for 50 years or one that gets eaten to the ground within 6 months. These little insects are your everyday home terrorists, especially if you have a major home foundation made of wood.
The problem is quickly compounded if you live in a region where air dampness is common. When you get a combination of wood and damp conditions, it can quickly mean a termite nest. An ants nest can be simply destroyed, but if a termite colony lives in or near your home, without destroying the nest, your home can in turn be the one that is torn down.
So what can you do to prevent termites from carrying out an occupation of your home like the Japanese did with the rest of Asia in World War II?
1. Ensure there are no wooden scraps and tree stumps in or near your home and its foundation, especially the stumps. They are prime locations for a termite colony and they will migrate to your house the minute you start building it.
2. Constantly check for cracks or breaks in your house. Do not limit checks to just wooden parts. Termites are known to creep into cracks in brick walls as well, before attacking the wooden portions in the rest of the home.
3. Install moisture absorbers in your home. Termites love wood. They also enjoy damp conditions for their breeding ground.
4. Keep your home well-drained. Moisture absorbers are baby steps. Keeping your home dry through proper drainage is a major foundation.
5. Wood can add so much to the visual aesthetics of a home, but a smart person will keep it to the minimum. The less wood you have, the less appealing your house is to termites.
6. Schedule periodic maintenance by a pest control company if necessary, especially if your home is situated in a prime region for termite damage.
These are just some of the more basic measures in termite prevention. If you do not want these bugs to destroy your dream home, take early steps in strong termite control.
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