How to Prepare for a Termite Free Summer

How to Prepare for a Termite Free Summer

Summer is a wonderful time of year to enjoy outdoor activities, but it’s also the season when termites are most active. Termites are known for causing extensive damage to homes and properties, and they can quickly become a costly problem if left unchecked. To properly prepare for a termite-free summer, follow these termite control tips.

Conduct a Home Inspection

The first step in preparing for a termite-free summer is to conduct a thorough home inspection. Look for signs of termite activity, such as mud tubes, wings, and damaged wood. If you find any evidence of termites, contact a pest control professional immediately.

Eliminate Moisture Sources

Termites are attracted to moisture, so it’s important to eliminate any moisture sources in and around your home. Fix any leaks in your plumbing or air conditioning system, and make sure your gutters are clean and functioning properly.

Keep Wood Away from Your Home

Termites are attracted to wood, making it crucial to keep any wood or wood-based materials away from your home’s foundation. This includes firewood, lumber, and any wooden structures such as decks or fences.

Use Termite-Resistant Materials

When building or renovating your home, consider using termite-resistant materials such as concrete, metal, or pressure-treated lumber. These materials are less attractive to termites and can help prevent infestations.

Schedule Regular Pest Control Services

Regular termite control services are an essential part of preventing termite infestations. A termite control professional can help identify and eliminate any termite activity in and around your home, as well as provide preventative treatments to keep termites at bay.

Get ready for termite season by giving your local termite control company a call today!

When Are Termites Most Active?

When Are Termites Most Active?

Termites can wreak havoc on your home, causing substantial and costly damage. These household pests are stealthy, often going undetected for long periods of time. Preventing termite damage is critical, and now is the time to get started.

Termites begin swarming in the South in early spring. So, if you don’t already have a termite control plan, now is the time to consider acquiring one. While swarming termites may not cause structural damage, they are an indication that a termite colony is active nearby. This might result in catastrophic structural damage to your property, resulting in repair expenses in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Although spring and summer are peak swarming season, termites can be active year-round, especially in warmer climates like ours.

Termite Control

There are various techniques of termite management, and determining which one is best for your property can be difficult. After all, we’re talking about safeguarding one of your most valuable investments! Because termite damage isn’t usually covered by homeowners insurance, it’s imperative to not only get your property treated, but also to have a solid termite guarantee.

Treatment Options for Termites

If you understand how termites work, you could try your hand at DIY termite control. There are a variety of options available for this, ranging from simple liquid barrier treatments to termite baiting systems. If you have any slabs linked to your home or a basement, this can be a difficult task. To keep termites out, a liquid barrier must be comprehensive with no gaps.

Liquid Barrier Treatment

If you have active termites or damage, several pest control firms will offer a liquid treatment. This offers both immediate and long-term termite protection. Make sure your termite treatment comes with a decent warranty, especially one that covers termite re-treatments and any damage caused after treatment.

Borate Wood Treatment

This method of termite treatment is great if your home is still under construction. The wood structure is coated with borates, which are soil elements that provide long-term termite protection while also repelling common domestic pests.

Termite Bait Treament

Baiting systems have been shown to be efficient at eliminating entire termite colonies underground around your home, are less invasive than liquid treatments, are suitable for both new and existing structures, and typically come with a lifetime warranty. It is also the most environmentally friendly solution to defend your home from termites, as it eliminates the need for hundreds of gallons of chemicals. Monitoring devices are placed strategically around your property’s perimeter. The stations have a bait tube that termites are drawn to.

Termite Prevention:

  1. Keep mulch away from the perimeter of your home. Termites consume this as food.
  2. Keep any wood items away from your home. Termites can feed on firewood, crossties, and the building project you’ve been working on.
  3. Maintain your gutters. Termites thrive in damp environments, so keeping the ground surrounding your home dry is critical.

If you have a problem with termites or any other household pests, contact your local pest control company for an evaluation.

 

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How to Handle a Termite Infestation

How to Handle a Termite Infestation

Subterranean termites are a frequent problem for homeowners. They are highly destructive insects that can cause extensive damage to your home if left unchecked. It’s critical to act as soon as you suspect an infestation. Let’s break down how to discover a termite infestation and how to handle it.

Identify the Problem

The first step to handling a subterranean termite infestation is to identify the problem. Look for the signs of termite activity, including mud tubes, which are pencil-sized tubes of mud that termites use to travel from their nests to your home; and wings, which termites shed as they establish new colonies. If you find evidence of termites, it’s essential to act quickly.

Inspect Your Home

The next step is to inspect your home thoroughly. Look for any areas that might be open to termite activity, such as wood that is in contact with soil, moisture-damaged wood, and wood that is close to plumbing or heating systems. Pay special attention to the foundation, crawl spaces, and basements, as these are the areas where termites are most likely to enter your home.

Call a Professional

If you suspect you have a termite infestation, it’s important to call a professional pest control company. They have the expertise and equipment to accurately diagnose and treat the problem. A local termite control company can also advise you on the best course of action to prevent future infestations.

Take Preventative Measures

To prevent future termite infestations, you should take a few preventative measures. Keep firewood, piles of leaves, and other organic matter away from your home’s foundation. Ensure proper ventilation in your crawl spaces and basements. Seal any cracks or holes in your foundation and fix any leaks or moisture problems in your home.

If you suspect you have a termite infestation, it’s important to act as soon as possible. With the right help, you can successfully handle a termite infestation and protect your home from further damage. Give your local pest control company a call today for a free termite inspection!

What Macon Homeowners Should Know About Termite Control

What Macon Homeowners Should Know About Termite Control

Macon Termite Control: Termite Treatment Options

One of the most common termites in the Macon area are subterranean termites. These termites can be extremely destructive, as they eat wood from the inside out and go undetected for long periods of time. Once homeowners finally notice a termite infestation, it’s often too late to stop their damage. There are several methods that a homeowner should know to help protect their home from termite damage. Check out three termite control treatments and how to avoid a termite infestation below.

Termite Treatment Options

There are three termite treatment methods to consider when looking to control and eliminate termite colonies, with their effectiveness depending on the type of termite you have and the severity of their infestation. These methods include:

  • Bait Systems: Considered highly effective, the bait system contains chemicals that termites eat and then take back to their colonies, which allow it to spread to others.
  • Wood Treatments: There are different types of wood treatments that either utilize surface spray treatments or injected sprays/foams. Surface sprays are applied to the surface of the wood. Injected sprays/foams are applied to the inside of the wood.
  • Soil Treatments: Applied to the soil around your home, this treatment creates a barrier to prevent termite infestations. First, a trench is dug around your foundation, where the soil is then treated with a termiticide. After, the trench is filled back in.

Preventing Termites from your Macon Home

One of the best ways to get ahead of termite control is by placing preventative measures throughout. Consider the following do-it-yourself prevention tips to avoid termites:

  • Reduce openings termites can enter in through. Consider filling in cracks in your cement foundation and sealing around where the utilities pass through the walls.
  • Cover exposed wood surfaces with sealant or a metal barrier.
  • Try to keep the soil around your foundation dry as much as possible through proper grading, drainage, downspouts, and clearing gutters of debris.
  • Avoid planting trees or shrubs too close around the home, especially against exposed wood.
  • Avoid placing firewood or wood debris next to your home. Instead, place stored wood at least 20 feet away in plastic containers with a lid.
  • Consider having an annual termite inspection.

If you suspect that you have a termite problem or are interested in getting ahead with a prevention plan, reach out to your local pest control company which can provide you with a free analysis and recommend the best treatment and prevention plan.

Preventing Termites in Alabama

Preventing Termites in Alabama

Alabama Termite Control: What Termite Treatment Do I Need?

Termites will not stop until they find a food source for their colony, often destroying our homes in the process. A termite infestation can be devasting, as their damage can cost billions of dollars in repair. One of the best ways to avoid their damage is investing in termite control for your Alabama home. Let’s review the signs of termites and the several types of termite treatment options available so you can avoid their devastation.

Common Signs of Termites

Termites are silent destroyers, meaning they can go unnoticed for extended periods. However, there are many ways that you can tell you have a termite infestation.

  • Sounds: Soldier termites will bang their heads against wood or shake their bodies when a colony is disturbed to alert other termites in the colony. You will often hear a quiet clicking sound coming from the walls.
  • Wings: Swarming termites leave their nest to search for a mate to establish a new colony. When they find a mate, they will lose their wings. These discarded termite wings are often found near doors or windowsills and are a sign of an infestation.
  • Warping: Termites produce moisture when tunneling through the wood. If they make their way through window frames and doors, it will cause them to warp, which makes them difficult to open. Warping will also cause uneven or bubbling paint.
  • Wood Damage: When termites consume wood from the inside out, it will often make a hollow or papery sound when tapped on.

Termite Treatment Options

When investing in termite treatment and prevention options, there are three common types of professional treatments that every homeowner should know, including bait stations, liquid-soil treatments, and wood treatments.

  • Bait Stations: Installed at the perimeter of your home, bait stations will provide a food source for termites. When found, the termites will bring the food back to their colony, where it eliminates them. This treatment can take longer, but it does eliminate the entire colony once the termites find it. A termite service professional will monitor and refill the station when needed.
  • Liquid-Soil Treatments: This treatment is installed by digging a trench around the perimeter of your home and filling it in with liquid termiticide. If termites travel from your home and back to their colony, they pass through this termiticide, which will eventually eliminate them.
  • Wood Treatments: This treatment is used when treating existing wood structures. The wood treatment can either be a surface or injected spray/foam. Treatment is applied by spraying directly onto the wood, where it will eliminate the existing termites and provide preventative treatment for the future.

If you’re interested in these termite treatment options, consider contacting your local pest control company for more information. These professionals can provide you with a comprehensive inspection and help determine the best termite control plan for you and your home.

Preventing Termites in Your Murfreesboro Home

Preventing Termites in Your Murfreesboro Home

Tennessee Termite Control: Termite Prevention

Discovering termites in your Tennessee home can be a concerning thought. Each year, termites cause billions of dollars’ worth of damage to homeowners. Don’t let your home fall under this statistic. We have all the information you need to begin termite prevention now.

Termites can’t level your home within a week or within five years, but over time they will eat away at your home from the inside out. They are difficult to spot and are incredibly quiet destroyers. The earliest signs of termite damage can be seen within months of them infiltrating your home.

One way to avoid property damage from termites is to have your home inspected once or twice a year. The best way to prevent termites is to have long-term termite control in place.

In the meantime, here are some DIY termite prevention methods you can do today:

  • Clean up your yard by removing sticks, leaves, cardboard, and other debris
  • Eliminate sources of water build-up in and around your home
  • Repair sections of water damaged wood throughout your home

Are you ready for long-term termite prevention in your Tennessee home? Give your local pest control company a call today and receive a free inspection to begin keeping termites away!

How to Prevent Termites From My Laurens, SC Home

How to Prevent Termites From My Laurens, SC Home

Laurens Termite Control: Termite Prevention Tips

There are two factors to consider when looking at termite control: preventing them from infesting your home and treating established termite colonies. Termites are year-round pests and can go undetected for a long period of time, causing devastating damage in the process. There are several prevention methods to consider when looking to eliminate or prevent termites from your Laurens home.

Remove Entry Point Access

One of the best and most effective ways to keep termites out is to remove any access inside your home, including gaps around water and gas lines where they enter your home. Likewise, inspect your foundation for cracks or openings and repair them immediately.

Reduce Their Food Source

To survive, termites need wood and moisture. Eliminating these factors can help reduce your chance of a termite infestation. If you place mulch against your foundation for landscaping purposes, you could be attracting termites into your home. Mulch is a great source of food for termites as they retain any moisture. Try to minimize the use and keep it at least 15 inches away from the foundation. Additionally, if your crawlspace is experiencing a lack of airflow, it can create an ideal environment for these pests. Consider enclosing your crawlspace to prevent these termites and improve the overall health of your home by reducing moisture and decreasing humidity.

Consider Annual Termite Inspections

Termites can be tricky to control and eliminate! These pests will cause significant damage to your home, sometimes before you even realize they have infested. Placing preventative measures in your home to reduce the chance of a termite infestation will always help, but sometimes it’s best to leave it up to your local Laurens pest control company. These professionals can perform an annual termite inspection and provide you with the best termite control and prevention options for your home.

Add Termite Treatment To Your Spring To-Do List

Add Termite Treatment To Your Spring To-Do List

Spring brings warm weather and the need for spring cleaning. When making your spring to-do list, make sure to include pest control with it. The warm weather brings pests out in droves, whether emerging from their overwintering spots or searching for a mate to reproduce with. One of the most common spring pests are termites. Spring marks the beginning of termite swarming season, when termites leave their colonies in search of a mate to form a new colony with. Don’t forget to make termite treatment a priority on your spring checklist!

Termites can go undetected for long periods of time, causing significant damage to your home. Once you identify the signs of termites, the next step is to determine the best termite treatment for your situation. Here are some of the most common termite treatment options:

Pretreatments

Pretreatments are termite treatments carried out during the construction phase of new construction. It is also preferable to use pretreatments when building additions to an existing home. When used before the physical infrastructure of a home or addition is laid, pretreatments are more effective and cost-effective. Pretreatments typically consist of a combination of liquid termiticide (often containing borates), termite bait, lumber treatment, and in-soil barriers.

Barrier Treatments

Barrier treatments create a physical barrier between termites and your home. A trench is dug around your home’s perimeter, and the soil that is removed is heavily treated with a termiticide. The treated soil is then refilled into the trench. In some cases, a physical wall made of rock, sand, mesh, and plastic is built inside the trench’s outer wall. This adds another layer of defense between your home and termites.

Liquid Treatments

The most common termite treatments are liquid treatments. These treatments are effective for termite infestations in your home’s interior. Holes are strategically drilled in both the foundation and the wood in these treatments. The termites are then forced to emerge after termiticide is injected into the holes. Termites are then exterminated using termiticide spot treatments.

Bait Treatments

Bait stations containing termiticide-laced wood, paper, or cellulose are placed in the ground around your home. Termites are drawn to the bait and consume it. The termiticide is slow acting, allowing termites to return to the colony and spread the bait to others, effectively killing the colony. Bait stations can be used in places where surface treatments cannot be used, such as near foundation drains and areas covered by slabs or flooring. Bait stations are a long-term and effective treatment solution.

While it can be tempting to attempt termite control yourself, it is usually best left to the professionals. If you have a termite infestation, contact your local pest control company for a termite inspection to determine the best treatment options for your home.

 

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3 Easy Termite Signs Around Your Augusta Home

3 Easy Termite Signs Around Your Augusta Home

Augusta Termite Control: Signs of Termites

Termites are known as silent destroyers, meaning they can go undetected for a long period of time, making their destruction devasting. Common termite species, such as subterranean termites, will infest our Augusta homes and damage the infrastructure, costing billions of dollars in repair. It can be difficult to detect subterranean termites, often hiding until the damage is done, but it is possible. To prevent termites, every homeowner should recognize signs of termite infestations. Check out our top 5 signs of termites that you might see in your home:

Mud Tubes

Often found on exterior surfaces, subterranean termites create mud tubes that allow them to move back and forth between their nest and their food source, which is often your home. These tunnels help protect termites from any predators and provide moisture for survival. Usually, mud tubes can be found wrapped around walls, ceilings, and floors. Mud tubes are common signs of termites.

Noises

Sometimes, hearing noises is your first sign of a termite infestation. Often, if a termite colony has infested your home, you can hear a faint clicking or knocking sound coming from behind walls and other voids. Termites create this noise when a soldier termite bangs their head against wood or vibrates their bodies to signal damage to their colony. When you listen closely, you can also hear termites chewing through wood.

Hollow Wood

Have you noticed hollow wood inside your home or in trees throughout your yard? If so, this is a major sign that termites have established a colony on your property. These pests destroy wood from the inside out, leaving only a thin layer of wood behind. When checking for hollow wood, try tapping on the area in question. You’ll hear a hollow or paper sound, indicating an infestation. Other signs include blistering or bubbling paint in or near wood structures, including windows and door trims.

Frass

Frass is the name for the waste termites leave behind. When subterranean termites travel through wood, they will push debris and waste out behind them through tiny openings. You may notice small black marks or a dark powdery substance around the infested area with small piles of sawdust-like droppings. These sawdust droppings are frass and are usually the color of the structural wood infested.

Wood Damage

The most obvious sign of a termite infestation is seeing the damaged wood itself. Floor, window, and door damage is a major indication that termites are inside. Another indication includes windows and doors not opening or closing smoothly. Take note of any floors that buckle or sag and have them inspected.

If you’ve noticed any of these termite signs or damage, consider contacting your pest control company for a thorough inspection and treatment plan before any more termite damage is done.

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