Termite Control Advice from Bob the Bugman

	BOB THE BUGMAN Expert Pest Control Advice, Identification and Information Termites


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No matter how your home is constructed, where it is located, or how old it is, it could be attacked by subterranean termites. They are a threat across 70 percent of the world and in every part of the United States except Alaska. They cause $5 billion worth of damage each year in the U.S. alone -- damage not covered by most homeowner�s insurance. And damage that can go undetected while it grows for years on end. It�s their ability to so masterfully avoid detection that makes termites so insidiously destructive.

Subterranean termites are the type most likely to attack your home. Although species vary throughout the United States (see regional descriptions below), all subterranean termites are social insects that nest in large underground colonies. There can be millions of termites in a colony, but you may never see any evidence of them -- until a pest professional discovers they have seriously damaged your home.

THOSE "ANTS" MIGHT BE TERMITES.
Winged termites are often mistaken for ants. Here is how to tell them apart: Ant wings are different sizes; termite wings are all the same size. Ants have elbowed antennae; termites have short, straight, beaded antennae. Don�t be fooled by color or size: ants can vary in size, and winged termites can be brown or black.

For termites, the best solution for elimination is a professional treatment using Termidor, by far the best product available.

Click here for a professional in your area.

Facts About Termites

Termites, despite there size, can wreak havoc on homes. Termite pest control experts estimate that as many as 14 subterranean termite colonies exist per acre. That means that an average home could have as many as four termite colonies either directly under it or adjacent to it. Considering that as many as 1 million termites are living within each colony. Do the math, and you've got roughly 4 million termites underneath or around your home. Termites used to be a regional problem. Now, however, they've taken up residence in nearly every state in the country.

Central heating, now practically a standard feature in single-family homes, has made it easier than ever for termite populations to grow and prosper nearly anywhere in the United States. It bogles the mind that such a tiny creature can cause such tremendous damage. As you're probably aware, termites feed off of wood and cellulose materials. They're an equal-opportunity destroyer -- in other words, any kind of wood will do, whether it comes from the woods behind your home, books, boxes, furniture and the wood used in the construction of your home.

Termites cause more damage than floods, fires, hurricanes and tornados combined. How do these pests gain entry to your home from their subterranean worlds? Through your foundation. Foundations most vulnerable to termite entry are basements and concrete slabs -- in other words, the foundations underneath most homes. The tiniest space -- Entomologists estimate that a crack of 1/64 of an inch is enough. This provides plenty of room for termites to pass through your floor and into your home, where they multiply faster than a warehouse full of rabbits.

Unfortunately, once termites have gained entry into your home, they're natural born hunters of wood. They'll feast on anything from the siding to your floorboards and wallboards to decorative wood items. You have to give them credit for their sneakiness. As if the above-described damage weren't enough, termites have a built-in insurance policy that makes it possible for other termites to perpetuate the damage to your home, creating a vicious cycle. As they discover sources of food (wood) throughout your home, termites actually leave a trail of chemicals behind, which in essence, signals fellow termites of the presence of a food source ahead.

The only thing that can stop them is sunlight and open air. You can't always tell when your home has fallen victim to termite damage until the obvious signs are present (i.e., swarming or dead termites in your home). Unfortunately, once they are spotted in your home, the damage has probably already started. It's best to get your home inspected occasionally by a professional who knows the subtle warning signs of termite infestation, and where to look for them. However, if you spot the following red flags anywhere in your home, chances are good you've got a problem.

Sawdust-like "powder" near doors, windows and/or garage
Stray wings left near doors, windows and/or garage
Tiny holes on any wood surfaces in or outside of your home
Paint that has started to bubble on wood surfaces
Mud tunnels lining the foundation of your house, either inside or outside and/or the obvious sign...
Flying termites -- inside your house. They can often be seen near sources of light (ironic, since sunlight is their enemy ... they may be smart, but they're not geniuses).

Tips for controlling Termites

When Bob the Bugman and his team at AllPests treats for termites, the goal is to establish a continuous insecticide barrier between the termite colony (usually in the soil) and the wood in a structure. Sometimes there may be a secondary termite colony above the soil (in the roof or other areas with a constant moisture supply) that requires additional treatment. Insecticide barriers may be established during or after building construction. In an existing building, termite treatments may involve any of the following procedures: a) mechanical alterations, and/or b) use of an insecticide to treat the soil, foundation and wood. In most cases, it is beyond the ability of an untrained person to attempt the termite treatment. Make sure anyone treating your home has work experience in this area. Always ask how much experience the technican who will be doing the actual treatment has in doing Termite Treatments.

Termite treatment should be performed by a qualified professional pest control operator. Although Do It Yourself termite control is an option be very cautious. Termite treatment requires special tools such as hammer drills, sub-slab injectors, rodding devices, engines equipped with pumps, protective equipment, etc. There are insecticides registered for termite control that can be purchased over the counter, but the better termiticides are usually only available to licensed applicators.

Bob recommends and uses Termidor because he considers it the best termiticide available today.It has virtually no odor and kills 100% of the termite population within 90 days or less.

Before deciding to do it yourself, you should consider that most banks and mortgage companies will only accept termite treatments performed by a professional Termite control firm, especially when termite evidence is revealed by an inspector providing the required "Wood Destroying Insect Report". Such inspections and reports are required for FHA loans and many others, including refinanced loans.

Should you decide to try it yourself then follow these rules:

Do not apply insecticides when soil is frozen or saturated with water. Frozen or saturated soil will not absorb insecticide uniformly.

Do not let humans and pets touch treated surfaces until surfaces are dry.

Before using insecticides for termite control, always READ, UNDERSTAND AND FOLLOW all label directions.

Keep all pesticides in original containers, out of reach of children and away from food, feed and water and of coarse after your home is treated

Do not plant food crops in treated soil.

Do not allow children and pets to play in freshly treated soil.

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