Introduction:
House pests have a habit of spreading quickly, and wrecking someone’s dream abode is just a matter of time for them. Termites? Even more so. It is best to be aware of the signs of such an infestation and to that look for termite treatment near me. The first and the most important thing one needs to know is why termites are being attracted to their house or in the vicinity of the property.
Things that attract termites:
Houses and their surrounding properties can be the ideal breeding ground for termites. These tiny creatures consume the cellulose in wood and burrow into the ground or wooden structures to make their colonies. Ideally, termites digest rotting wood and turn it into humus that is good for the soil. But when this occurs inside a house, it is far from an ideal situation for the residents.
Unfrequented, damp spaces inside the building can easily attract termites that make tunnels in the wood and the flooring to travel to and from the colonies without coming in contact with fresh air above the surface. Start searching for the best termite barrier near me to keep the place safe from these tiny nightmares.
Some places in and around the house that can commonly attract termites are:
- Stockpiled wood shavings
- Stacks of firewood
- Tree stumps
- Mulch
- Damaged roof
- Low-hanging branches over the roof
- Clogged gutter
- Damp basement
- Moist cellar
What are the signs of termite infestation?
The key to determining whether termites have invaded the property is regularly checking for swarms or some wood damage. It is hard to spot a termite since they are almost minuscule pests. White ants or termites can destroy furniture within a few weeks. So it’s better to browse for white ants inspection near me as soon as possible. Remember, once a swarm is spotted, it means the damage has started. Sometimes these swarms can also be ant swarms. Hence termites are also popularly called white ants. Here are some easiest ways to distinguish between a regular ant and a termite:
- Ants have front wings longer than hind wings
- Termites have equal-sized wings
- Ants have antennae bent at a 90° angle
- Termites have straight antennae
When in doubt over what type of swarms one is seeing, they should call in a pest management professional to check their house. Noticing a pile of wings is often a sign of termite infestation, especially if they are found by the porch or in the windows. Other signs around the house that can alert one include:
Frass:
Frass is the small brown droppings left behind by termites. It is the powdery refuse found along the house walls and flooring produced by the constantly boring termites. Because termites eat through the wood, these droppings often look like sawdust or a pile of wood particles.
Mud tubes:
Mud tubes are the most commonly identifiable signs of termite infestation, say the skilled workers conducting white ants treatment north side. These tubes of mud work as the passage for the termites to collect food and bring them back to their colony. These help them not get exposed to the air and maintain the moisture requirements to thrive.
There are three types of mud tubes that one can notice – working tubes, exploratory tubes, and drop tubes. They are generally built along or against a structure, but they can sometimes be found suspended in the air.
Termite castles:
Similar to mud tubes, termite castles are a cluster of these tract-like structures. They are also thicker and house more termites since they are not just some passages. Termite castles are usually the result of a colony releasing its swarmers.
Damaged wood:
Wood damaged by termites usually has mud tracts running along with it. The termites bring in the mud to maintain their moisture levels so that they can live and breed. This mud might still have live termites in them on being cracked open. It may have been abandoned if it is hard, dry, and brittle to the touch.
Other signs:
Residents suspecting termite infestation should look for the following:
- Cardboard or wooden boxes with holes and mud in them
- Eaten picture frames
- Paint on walls and wood bubbling up to reveal hollowed out spaces
How to prevent termite infestation?
- A concrete foundation and ventilation space between the soil and the wood would prevent moisture from coalescing.
- Exposed wood surfaces ought to be covered with a sealant by professionals experienced in forming termite barriers.
- Proper grading and drainage will keep the soil foundation dry.
- Maintaining gutters and downspouts.
- Filling of cracks in cement foundations and walls.
- Immediate fixing of leaks.
- Cleaning vents.
- Trees and shrubs should not be allowed to grow too close to the house or against exposed wood surfaces.
- Ensuring wood debris and piles are removed from the vicinity of the house.
- Checking and rechecking for regrowth of termite colonies. Look for white ants inspection near me,and let the professionals do the inspection.
Different types of termite treatments:
The best termite treatment Brisbane suggests two broad types of termite control treatments:
- Non-Chemical treatments
- Chemical treatments
Non-chemical treatments:
Construction of a physical barrier, typically done at the house’s beginning, can protect it against termite infestation. Additionally, biological control agents like nematodes and fungi can also effectively control termites.
Chemical treatments:
Professionals from companies specializing in white ants treatment south side suggest that there are three types of chemical treatments for termite infestations.
Conventional barrier treatments:
The most common solution recommended by professional termite eradicators is the soil-applied barrier treatment to control termite infestations. These termiticides contain chemicals like acetamiprid, bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, esfenvalerate, fipronil, imidacloprid, permethrin, etc.
Termite baits:
Termites can be baited with cellulose-containing, slow-action insecticides. These baits have been developed to be less harmful than regular insecticides. They contain chemicals like diflubenzuron, hexaflumuron, hydramethylnon, lufenuron, and noviflumuron.
Wood treatments:
When new homes are being constructed, termite control pesticides are sprayed on the wood. They commonly contain borates that apply a protective layer on wooden furniture and building materials. Sometimes, it can be injected into the building materials by best termite treatments Brisbane.
Conclusion:
If improperly conducted, chemical treatments for termite infestation can be harmful to the residents. This is why white ants treatment north side recommends hiring a professional pest control expert to carry out the process.
