The Ultimate Guide to Exterminating Termites

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1 TAKE ON THOSE TERRIBLE TERMITES! The Ultimate Guide to Exterminating Termites Prepared by:

2 TERMITE TERROR: DESTRUCTION IN A FEW BITES Have you ever wondered why termites are such a problem? Home inspectors search for them, contractors fear them, and homeowners often don t really know what to think about them. After all, how can such a tiny insect do so much damage? Much like bees, termites live in large colonies. When a termite colony sets up house, they do so in a place that provides plenty of moisture for their needs. Unfortunately, if you have a wall cavity where moisture has been allowed to build up due to leaking pipes, a shower recess, gutters, or broken roof tiles, this is the perfect place for termites to build their nest. Termites build a central nest around which they construct a colony of underground tunnels that can radiate out 100 yards from the nest. These tunnels allow them to travel safely in search of timber to feed their colony members. If their nest is somewhere within your walls, where do you think that timber will come from? You guessed it your home. All homeowners are familiar with the silent home destroyer the termite. Termites are dangerous to all types of homes because they feed on dead trees, plants, and other forms of cellulose. For many, this means that termites may target their homes. Each year, termites chew their way through billions of dollars in home damage. In many cases, homeowners may not be aware of a termite infestation until it s too late. How can you protect your home from termites? This guide provides you with everything you need to know about termites and how to treat your home. After reading this guide, you will know why termites are so destructive, the different types of termites, how each termite type works, and how to get rid of the most common type of termite. Termites can travel through an opening as small as 1/8 and can eat through the rubber compound between an expansion joint that adjoins concrete to ground flooring. They can travel under and between flooring to get to the wall framing timbers. They can pretty much go anywhere in your home and you won t ever know they are there. Once they have accessed the wood that makes up the structure of your home, they begin to eat. Worker termites digest the wood and then feed the partly digested, semi-solid food to the other members of the colony. This requires a lot of food, and in a very short time, termites can do massive damage to a home s structure. They have been known to eat through structural timbers, posts, floor supports, ceiling supports, wall studs, subfloors, drywall, paneling, carpet, and even furniture. Termites are hard to detect, but some signs can include discarded termite wings, mud tubes, termite droppings, bubbling paint, and wood damage. If you suspect that you have termites in your home, call a professional immediately for an inspection. The longer you wait to take care of these insects, the more damage they can do to your home. 2

3 TYPES OF TERMITES Now that you understand why termites are so destructive, your first thought may be how to prevent and get rid of these tiny terrors. In order to destroy this enemy, you must first understand the different types of termites and how each type works. There are three main types of termites: subterranean, drywood, and dampwood. Each of these main types has several more specialized species. It is important to identify which type of termite is present in the home. While all termites live in social colonies, different types have varying nesting, feeding, and reproductive habits that play a role in proper termite management. Subterranean Termites Subterranean termites are the most common and destructive type of termite in the United States. These termites typically live in the soil or in moist, secluded areas above the soil. Subterranean termites are the only type of termite with a true caste system consisting of reproductive termites, workers, and soldiers. Reproductive termites focus on reproducing. Workers focus on building shelter and finding food for the colony. Soldiers focus on defending the colony from intruders like ants and other termites. One of the telltale signs of a subterranean termite infestation is the presence of mud tubes outside the home or on areas such as foundation slabs and crawl spaces. Mud tubes, also called shelter tubes, are built by worker termites to provide shelter as they travel back and forth outside the colony for food. These mud tubes are made of components like dirt, wood bits, termite saliva, and termite fecal matter. In addition to causing property damage, subterranean termite infestations may compromise the safety of family members in the home. Since floor joists and support beams create an ideal food supply for subterranean termites, these termites tend to weaken wood structures. This can cause homes to partially or completely collapse if the infestation goes untreated for a long period of time. Drywood Termites After the subterranean termite, drywood termites are the second most common type of termite and their colonies are typically smaller than subterranean termite colonies. As indicated by the name, drywood termites live and feed deep inside sound, dry wood. A telltale sign of drywood termites is the presence of feces pellets that are discarded through kick holes made in a building s wood. The pellets will collect over time and have a distinct shape. A pest control professional can help to identify the presence of drywood termites and these characteristic feces pellets. Dampwood Termites Unlike subterranean and drywood termites, dampwood termites do not nest in soil or dry wood. They make their home in damp and sometimes decaying wood. These termites are significantly larger than subterranean termites. Due to the need for moist wood, it is important to help prevent dampwood termite infestation by avoiding moisture in and around the home. Roof or siding leaks, plumbing issues, and wood that touches the ground should all be tended to accordingly. 3

4 SUBTERRANEAN TERMITE CONTROL USING BAIT SYSTEM Now that you understand how each type of termite works, you can begin strategizing with your pest control company on how best to remove the termites in your home. Since subterranean termites are the most common type of termite, let s discuss the best method for exterminating this type of termite. So what is the best way to get rid of subterranean termites? Answer: The Sentricon Colony Elimination System is the best method to identify, eliminate, and prevent infestations of homes by subterranean termites. Subterranean Termite Infestation Prevention The damage which is inflicted by subterranean termite infestations prior to beginning termite control systems may be costly to repair and may decrease home values. Homeowners can avoid these complications by utilizing Sentricon before an infestation begins. Having Sentricon Colony Elimination Systems installed to prevent termite infestations may save homeowners money as well as provide peace of mind. Identifying a Subterranean Termite Infestation While certain signs may indicate a possible termite infestation, the Sentricon system helps professional exterminators to confirm the presence of termites. To do this, Sentricon bait stations are set up in select areas surrounding the home. Professionals will return to the home regularly to inspect bait stations for signs of subterranean termites. Sentricon Bait Stations Once a subterranean termite infestation has been confirmed, professional exterminators will carefully insert bait into the station. Subterranean termites operate on a caste system similar to ants with workers and a queen. The worker termites take the bait back to the colony and the colony is systematically eliminated. Sentricon Effectiveness The Sentricon Colony Elimination System is guaranteed to eliminate subterranean termite infestations and prevent future infestations. Sentricon has been used in the United States for about two decades and is the most trusted name in subterranean termite extermination. Approximately 70 articles have been written pertaining to the effectiveness of Sentricon in eliminating subterranean termite colonies and queens. Ongoing Termite Control It is necessary to take steps to continually monitor and protect against subterranean termite infestations. Homes that have attracted subterranean termites in the past will always present a habitable environment for termites. Sentricon bait stations continue to stay in place after the subterranean termite infestation has been eliminated. Pest control professionals will continue to monitor these bait stations periodically to identify signs of termite activity. If any termite activity is detected, bait is reintroduced into the bait stations. 4

5 You now know why termites are so destructive, the different types of termites, how each termite type works, and how to get rid of the most common type of termite. With all of this knowledge, you are ready to tackle your termite problem with your pest control company. So where should you look for an experienced pest control professional? is the company for you! We are qualified to use the Sentricon Colony Elimination System and we can eliminate the entire colony of termites that are destroying your home. In addition to being qualified to use the best termite extermination system out there, we also consistently provide prompt, courteous, friendly, and professional service. You can trust our service professionals to treat your home with the same level of dedication and professionalism as they would their own homes. If you re ready to take on your termite problem, call us today! 5