What It Takes To Deal With Termites
The presence of termites in your home may have you thinking about hiring a pest control company to deal with the situation. It can be helpful, though, to assess the issue. Here are three aspects of the process you should consider when as you search for a termite control technician.
Identify the Bugs
One major problem is that termites look a lot like winged ants, especially when viewed from a distance. There are two features that give away which type of bug you have. First, winged ants have larger front wings than back ones, while termites have four almost equally sized wings. Second, termites have a much narrower thorax. When you see an ant, it will have a big, bulb-shaped butt. Termites have narrow butts that are slightly ribbed.
Bear in mind that the fact that it might be ants isn't a win. Carpenter ants can do enough damage to justify hiring a pest control contractor, too. If you haven't seen any bugs, there may still be signs like holes in wood and sawdust. Some pests, such as mice, also produce sawdust, but they also generally include nesting materials like pieces of paper and cotton in their piles.
Presuming you're not seeing an advanced infestation of termites that are already in your house, keep an eye out for trouble outside. Termites often move from old tree stumps to wood piles and then ultimately into buildings as they colonize so you may get an early warning when you see sawdust outside.
Don't Bet on them Going Away
Termites are hardy insects, so don't assume a tough winter will wipe a colony out. Queens have been known to live as long as 100 years, and that's a lot of time to do damage and create more colonies.
Treatment Options
There are five types of termite eradication methods available in the U.S. A liquid product can be applied to structures and into the soil. There are also termite baits and traps. Fungi and nematodes that kill termites are an appealing option for folks who don't want to or can't use chemicals. Physical barriers can be installed in the ground to prevent colony expansion, and buildings can be repaired to seal cracks in the foundations. Finally, you can wipe out nearby wooden materials and structures.
Licensed contractors in America have to use products and methods that are EPA-approved. State rules for licensing, bonding, and insuring pest control contractors will vary, though. To learn more, contact a company like Eary Termite & Pest Services.
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