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TLF PROPERTIES INC • www.greatertexoma.com • (903) 564-5911
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Termites get spring fever
People aren’t the only creatures who get Spring fever. The sunny, mild weather with a few rainstorms mixed in bring hordes of wood-devouring termites out into the open to swarm – mate – and, eventually, inhabit your home.
Pest control industry estimates indicate that the damage termites cause now tops $5 billion each year - and homeowner's insurance doesn’t usually cover these claims. From now through May, termites will be at their worst as termite swarm season descends on the United States.
Recognizing termites is tricky, since they are often difficult to distinguish from flying ants. Termites have relatively straight, beadlike antennae, while ants have elbowed antennae. Termites have two pair of wings (front and back) that are of almost equal length. Ants also have two pair of wings but the fore wings are much larger than the hind wings. The abdomen of the termite is broadly joined to the thorax while the abdomen and thorax of the ant are joined by a narrow waist.
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.
Experts from the National Pest Management Association offer several tips to avoid termite infestation:
- Since termites are attracted to moisture, avoid moisture 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. Prevent shrubs, vines and other vegetation from growing over and covering vents.
- Before and during construction, never bury wood scraps or waste lumber in the backfill, especially near the building. Be sure to remove old form boards, grade stakes, etc., left in place after the building was constructed. Remove old tree stumps and roots around and beneath the building.
- Most importantly, eliminate any wood contact with the soil. An 18-inch gap between the soil and wood portions of the building is ideal.
Treating termites
If you do find yourself dealing with infestation, virtually all experts advise calling a pest management
professional to help identify the termites, determine the extent of infestation, and recommend a prompt, effective control program.
Currently, there are three types of treatments available for use by the professional: soil treatments, wood treatments and baits.
Soil treatments are liquid termiticides diluted with water to ensure adequate coverage in the soil. Injection of this system in the soil creates a treated area that repels or reduces the population of termites and envelops the structure with a long-term protection. This is the most commonly used system and may be used in combination with baits and/or wood treatment.
Wood treatments involve treating infested wood or potentially infested wood with liquids such as a traditional treatment or borate materials. This treatment type protects the wood from infestation and reduces or eliminates the infestation in the wood at the time of the treatment.
Baits are relatively new and involve installing bait stations in the ground. Termites then eat the bait and carry the active ingredient throughout the colony or area, thus reducing foraging, which in turn reduces the colony population. Baits are popular since there is no interior drilling, and they are less bother for the homeowner.
Your home is one of the largest investments you’ll ever make. Don’t let it fall victim to termites! I can recommend a pest management professional in your area.
Brad Hackbart with Phoenix Pest control can help you with all of your Pest Control needs you can reach him at 940-372-9154
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