Jun 13, 2024 | DIY Pest Control, Florida Termite Control
Termites thrive in warmer weather and are known to create extensive damage to your home if not managed properly. This makes Florida’s warm and humid climate a hotspot for termite activity! In our sunshine state, the most common types of termites are drywood and subterranean termites. Let’s breakdown the difference between these two termite species and how you can prevent these pests from infesting your home.
Drywood and Subterranean Termites
It’s important to understand the difference between drywood termites and subterranean termites to properly treat and prevent them.
Drywood Termites
- Drywood termites live inside dry wood and do not need contact with soil.
- A good indication on whether drywood termites have infested is finding small piles of wood pellets or frass, tiny holes in wood surfaces, and discarded wings near windowsills or light fixtures.
- Drywood termites cause significant structural damage by hollowing out wood from the inside out.
Subterranean Termites
- Subterranean termites build colonies in the soil and require moisture to do so. They will often create mud tubes to travel between their nest and food sources.
- Signs of a subterranean termite infestation include mud tubes on exterior walls, foundations, or crawlspaces. Other infestation signs include damaged wood that sounds hollow and swarms of winged termites.
- These termites will destroy foundations, support beams, and other wooden structural causing thousands of dollars in repairs.
Termite Prevention Tips
There are several do-it-yourself prevention tips that you can utilize to prevent both drywood and subterranean termites. Consider the following:
- Seal any cracks and crevices in your home’s exterior using caulk or steel wool depending on the size.
- Keep attics, basements, and crawlspaces well-ventilated and dry; consider encapsulating your crawlspace to help with excess moisture.
- Fix leaky faucets, pipes, and air conditioning units to prevent standing water.
- Make sure your home’s drainage system directs water away from the foundation.
- Keep firewood, lumber, and other wooden materials elevated and away from your home’s foundation.
- Keep shrubs, trees, and other vegetation trimmed away from your home.
- Schedule an annual termite inspection with a professional Pompano pest control company near you. These professionals will provide you with a thorough inspection and termite control options if termites are found.
Jun 7, 2024 | Commercial
Termites are one of the most destructive pests, capable of causing significant damage to commercial properties. Their ability to silently infiltrate and compromise the structural integrity of buildings makes them a serious threat. Effective termite control is essential to protect your investment and ensure the safety of your property. Explore the importance of termite control for your business, the types of termite infestations, and the best strategies for effective termite management.
The Importance of Termite Control
Termites can cause extensive damage before their presence is even detected. They feed on wood and other cellulose materials, weakening the structure of buildings and potentially leading to costly repairs. For commercial properties, this not only affects physical integrity but also can disrupt business operations and impact your reputation.
Regular termite inspections and proactive control measures are crucial in preventing infestations and mitigating damage. By understanding the signs of termite activity and implementing effective control strategies, you can protect your property and avoid the significant costs associated with termite damage.
Types of Termite Infestations
There are several species of termites, but the most common ones that affect commercial properties are:
- Subterranean Termites: These termites live in the soil and build mud tubes to access above-ground food sources. They are the most destructive and responsible for most termite damage in commercial properties.
- Drywood Termites: Unlike subterranean termites, drywood termites do not require contact with soil and can infest dry wood structures. They are often found in areas such as attics, walls, and furniture.
Signs of Termite Activity
Detecting termite activity early is critical for effective control. Here are some common signs to watch for:
- Mud Tubes: Subterranean termites build mud tubes to travel between their nest and food sources. These tubes are often found on foundation walls, support beams, and other structural elements.
- Wood Damage: Termite-damaged wood often sounds hollow when tapped and may have a honeycomb interior.
- Discarded Wings: Swarming termites shed their wings after mating. Finding discarded wings near windows, doors, or other entry points can indicate an infestation.
- Frass (Termite Droppings): Drywood termites leave behind small, pellet-like droppings known as frass, often found near infested wood.
Effective Termite Control Strategies
- Regular Inspections: Schedule annual termite inspections with a professional pest control company. Regular inspections can detect early signs of infestation and prevent extensive damage.
- Soil Treatments: Subterranean termites often enter buildings through the soil. Soil treatments, such as liquid termiticides, create a chemical barrier that prevents termites from reaching the structure.
- Bait Systems: Termite bait systems are an effective and eco-friendly method for controlling termite populations. Baits are placed around the property, attracting termites and then eliminating the colony.
- Wood Treatments: Treat exposed wood with borate-based products to protect against termite infestation. These treatments penetrate the wood and create a barrier that is toxic to termites.
- Moisture Control: Since termites thrive in moist environments, it’s essential to address any moisture issues around your property. Repair leaks, ensure proper drainage, and use dehumidifiers in areas prone to moisture buildup.
- Preventive Maintenance: Regularly inspect and maintain your property to eliminate potential termite entry points. Seal cracks and crevices, repair damaged wood, and remove any debris or wood piles near the building.
Professional Termite Control Services
While DIY methods can offer temporary relief, professional pest control services provide comprehensive and long-term solutions. A qualified commercial pest control company can:
- Conduct thorough inspections: Identify signs of termite activity and potential risk areas.
- Develop customized treatment plans: Tailored to the specific needs and conditions of your property.
- Implement advanced treatments: Use the latest tools and techniques to ensure effective termite control for your business.
- Offer ongoing monitoring and maintenance: Regular follow-ups to ensure your property remains termite-free.
Effective termite control is essential for safeguarding your commercial property from the destructive impact of these pests. By understanding the types of termite infestations, recognizing signs of activity, and implementing comprehensive control strategies, you can protect your investment and maintain a safe, functional property. Be sure to call a pest management team near you for a free, personalized, no-obligation quote!
Jan 31, 2024 | Florida Termite Control
Swarming termites, or alates, are often seen in the spring and summer months. While they might seem alarming, these pests do not bite, sting, or chew wood. Instead, swarming termites indicate they an established termite colony is close by, which can be problematic for your home and family. But when does swarming season begin and how do you know if termites have invaded your Florida property? We breakdown what you should know about termite swarms.
When is Florida swarming season?
Swarming season often depends on the type of termite; however, in Florida we have two common termites to lookout for: subterranean and drywood termites. Subterranean termites swarm during the spring and early summer months. Drywood termites tend to swarm in the late spring to end the summer. Termite swarms are also determined by weather, with rainstorms and overcast increasing swarm activity.
Why do termites swarm?
Termites swarm to both reproduce and expand their colony. Once a colony has reached its capacity of termites, the swarming process begins, leaving their existing one to start a new. The number of termites that will swarm will often depend on the type of termite species and colony size.
How can I prevent swarming termites?
Preventing swarming termites starts with preventing termite colonies from establishing. There are several preventative measures you can place at your home to avoid termite swarms and keep termites from establishing, including:
- During peak swarm seasons, keep your outdoor lights turned off at night; consider relocating exterior lights to recessed areas away from doors and windows
- Avoid excess moisture by ensuring you have proper ventilation and fix any leaky pipes
- Keep at least a 4-inch barrier between mulch used in your landscaping and the side of your home
- Keep shrubbery trimmed back at least 12 inches from the walls of your home and remove any fallen branches, dead wood, or old tree stumps on your property
- If you have a crawlspace, consider enclosing it to help eliminate moisture under your home but to also prevent mold, mildew, wood rot, and other household pests
- Schedule an annual termite inspection and request a quote on treatment options, such as the Sentricon Always Active Bait station for 24/7/365 termite protection
If you suspect swarming termite activity nearby or a termite infestation at your home, it’s best to call your local pest control company for help. Termite professionals will give you a thorough evaluation and the best termite treatment and prevention plan.
Jan 5, 2023 | Termite Control
The new year has begun and although the weather is chilly now, the luxuries of living in the south typically means that warmer weather appears sooner than later. This means that termite swarming season is just around the corner, with the earliest swarms beginning in February. Let’s break down what to expect this swarming season.
What are Swarming Termites?
Termite swarmers, often mistaken for winged ants, are most active during the spring months, when they fly away from their colony to reproduce. These swarmers are attracted to bright, light areas often seen around doors and windows in homes. Fortunately, they don’t cause wood damage, but seeing a group of them around your property typically means a colony is nearby.
Which Species Do I Need to Lookout For?
The southeastern region of the United States is home to a variety of termites, including the subterranean, drywood, and Formosan species. Subterranean is the most common type of termite found in the southeast. They live underground in colonies that can get up to two million members. They are also known to be found in moist, secluded areas above ground. With their hard, saw-toothed jaws that work like shears, they are known to cause significant damage to properties.
Termite Prevention Tips:
- Eliminate Moisture: Repair leaky faucets, don’t let water pool near foundations, keep gutters clear, and use downspouts to divert water away from your home.
- Maintain Landscape: Don’t let anything touch the exterior surfaces of your home (mulch & woodpiles), removing old tree stumps, and keeping shrubbery and tree limbs trimmed back away from your home.
- Repair Home: Replace broken tiles, shingles, etc. on your roof and exposed beams in attics are a great food source and access point into your home.
If you suspect termite swarming activity or just want to get a step ahead at termite prevention, contact your local pest control company and schedule your free inspection.
Aug 31, 2022 | Florida Pest Control, Termite Control
Miami-Gardens Pest Control: DIY Termite Prevention
Termites are year-round pests, causing structural damage to homes and properties. The Miami-Gardens climate is hot and humid, the perfect conditions for termites. Every homeowner should implement termite control by placing certain preventative measures throughout their property to help avoid a termite infestation.
Reduce Soil-To-Wood Contact
One of the most common termites in the U.S. is the subterranean termite. These termites live in colonies underground and will build mud tubes to reach food above the ground. They will often create contact between wood and soil in crawlspaces or areas underneath your home for an entry point.
Throughout your property, make sure that you keep all lumber, wood, and mulch away from your foundation. If you are utilizing firewood, look to place it at least 20 feet away from your home, raised about 8 inches off the ground and stored in plastic containers with lids. If you have a wood fence near the home, make it a routine to check for rotted or infested wood.
Remove Excess Moisture
Most termite species need moisture to survive, often looking to our homes to find it. To help reduce the risk of termites infesting your home, reduce moisture inside and outside. Check that your gutters and downspouts are pointing away from your foundation. If you’re using a sprinkler, make sure it isn’t spraying on your home. Look inside your home for any plumbing leaks; don’t forget to check your crawlspace for leaks too. Consider investing in crawlspace enclosure, as this will reduce moisture, decrease humidity, prevent mold, avoid wood rot, and prevent termite infestations.
Invest in Annual Termite Inspections
Termites can be hard to spot on your own. These pests can go undetected for long periods, causing significant damage before you realize they’ve been there. Consider reaching out to your local Miami-Gardens pest control company which can perform an annual termite inspection. These professionals can identify signs of termites and take quick action for termite treatments to avoid a full-blown infestation. Even if you don’t suspect you have termites, it’s always a good idea to get ahead of the game when it comes to protecting against termites.
