Controlling and Preventing Termites

The scientific name for termites is Isoptera. A termite nest, colony, or swarm is a group of termites. Termites come in different varieties, such as:

1. Drywood termites - These termites, often called furniture termites or powderpost termites, create their nests in dry wood.

2. Subterranean or Underground termites - These termites tunnel through the earth to reach wood. They are ground dwelling.

3. Black termites - These termites are frequently swarming and are typically dark brown or black in color.

4. Formosan Termites - These termites have an enormous appetite and are referred to as "super termites" despite their white to off-white coloring.

5. Dampwood termites - These termites consume damp or moist wood and are among the biggest termites in the world. Since the wood in houses is too dry for them, they are typically located near to the ground and don't pose any issues.

The type of termites common are subterranean ones, which dwell underground in mutually cooperative colonies. The colonies are dispersed organisms that occupy several locations for feeding and nesting and are connected by tunnels beneath the surface.

Termites can live in colonies as big as half an acre, with hundreds of thousands to millions of individuals living there. Fewer individuals may be found in smaller colonies, which have a foraging footprint as small as a bedroom.

There may be larger but fewer colonies in some situations, and smaller but more numerous individual colonies in others. In residential contexts, the termite colony or colonies causing damage could be found in the backyard of a neighbor instead than under or around the affected house. 

The main food source for subterranean termites is wood, which they finally come upon while digging little, winding tunnels under the dirt. The colony has access to a rapid and plentiful source of food thanks to decaying plant debris, logs, stumps, woodpiles, and tree roots. Insects are helpful to nature because they help break down organic materials and replenish the soil with nutrients.

But occasionally, termites that forage within structures come upon wood or wood-derived materials (paper, cardboard, etc.). The workers create an invisible pheromone trail to draw their nest members to the building once they locate a good feeding location. 

Termite infestations can remain hidden behind obstacles like walls and flooring for years before being discovered. Their mysterious inclinations make control difficult as well. Termite control, in contrast to other corrective services like plumbing or electrical work, includes live things. There may be occasions when traditional methods fall short, which emphasizes the necessity for creative management techniques. 

Termite activity can be indicated by:

• Drooping or discolored drywall
• Paint peeling that resembles water damage
• Tapping wood that makes a hollow sound
• Little gaps in the drywal
• Buckling floorboards made of laminate or wood
• Tiles become loosened from more moisture
• Overly creaky floors
• Wood that is scorching or hollow
• Bubbling or fractured wall paint

Should you kill termites?

Although termites provide important benefits for the environment, they can also wreak damage when they infiltrate our houses and structures. For instance, certain species aid in the decomposition of animal waste, while others aid in the breakdown of decaying wood into soil. To put it briefly, termites are necessary in our surroundings but not in our dwellings.

10 Ways for Termite Prevention

By following proper home maintenance procedures, homeowners can aid in the prevention of termite infestations. Reducing moisture, removing potential food sources, and making your house simpler to inspect are all important termite prevention strategies. As an illustration:

1. Trim shrub and tree branches away from roofs and walls.

2. Clear the area of any wooden debris, including branches and planks.

3. Store firewood far from your house or any other building you wish to keep safe. It is possible to find termite tubes in inspection spaces.

4. A/C drainage lines should be directed away from your home.

5. Repair any leaks.

6. Irrigation heads should be pointed away from walls.

7. To control the flow of water away from your property, install gutters.

8. Rain barrels, compost bins, and other things that retain moisture at ground level should not be placed or stored less than two feet from your home's foundation.

9. Plants should be spaced apart from external walls by at least two feet.

10. To help keep termite swarmers and other pests out of attics, keep soffits in good condition and screen vents. Soffit and attic spaces are more frequently infested with drywood termites.

Common Approaches for Subterranean Termite Management:

A house can be shielded from subterranean termites in two different ways.

In the pest control sector, this is sometimes referred to as "pre-construction" or during the building phase.

These are what the pest control industry calls "post-construction" or "remedial treatments" because they take place after the construction is complete.

Control strategies are the same whether they are used during pre-, during, or after new construction.

Termiticides for Soil

Termite control during and after construction is still most commonly achieved through the application of liquid soil termiticides. Depending on the soil type, product label, and treated area, different amounts of termiticide will be used.

To apply the amount of termiticide that could be needed to treat your home, the applicator needs to be knowledgeable about building construction and equipment.

Concrete block walls or slabs may occasionally need to be drilled.

Liquid termiticides are classified into two (2) groups in the pest control industry: repellent and non-repellent chemicals. This kind of product description may not be technically correct because any product might eventually become "repellent" as concentrations rise. Nonetheless, these terminology could be used when speaking with experts in pest control.

Fipronil , imidacloprid, and chlorantraniliprole are a few examples of "non-repellent" products.

How soil termiticides work:

Termites can die through coming into contact with the soil termiticide or by consuming the treated soil while tunneling. This is how soil termiticides function. Termites in the ground may be able to get to "non-repellent" termiticides more easily than "repellent" ones, but in the long run, either kind will protect the building by blocking the termite colony's ability to feed on the treated soil.

Several factors, such as the kind of soil, ambient circumstances, and the proper dosage, affect how well soil termiticides work over time.

Be advised that certain areas may need additional treatment if the treated soil surrounding your property is disturbed for any reason, such as construction excavations, animal or pet digging, or washing rain like during a hurricane.

While some termite baits can destroy entire colonies, soil termiticides, when used correctly and kept up, can offer structural protection.

Is termite spray harmful to humans?

Termiticides are generally dangerous to people and should be used very sparingly. Fipronil-based medicines are no different; depending on the severity of the poisoning, intake can result in adverse symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, stomach discomfort, tonic-clonic convulsions, and even death.

A professional termite treatment should protect your house for around five years, depending on the treatment plan you select. The longest-lasting treatments are liquid ones, however bait stations need to be maintained and observed on a monthly or quarterly basis to be successful.

How often should you treat for termites?

Depending on the termite treatment method you choose. Approximately every five years, you should reapply liquid termite treatments, and periodically check termite bait sites.

Since termites are active throughout the year, year-round termite prevention is necessary. But because termite activity is somewhat more predictable in the winter, now is the perfect time to treat your house or place of business for termites.

Conclusion

Termites, also known as Isoptera, are a group of termites that live in various types, including drywood, subterranean, black, formosan, and dampwood. They feed on decaying plant debris, logs, stumps, woodpiles, and tree roots.

Termite infestations can be hidden behind obstacles and can cause damage to homes and structures. To prevent termite infestations, homeowners should follow proper home maintenance procedures, such as reducing moisture, removing food sources, and making the house easier to inspect.

Proper home maintenance includes trimming branches away from roofs and walls, clearing debris, storing firewood away, directing air and water drainage lines, repairing leaks, installing gutters, and spacing plants apart from walls.

Subterranean termite management involves pre-construction and post-construction treatments. Liquid soil termiticides are commonly used for termite control during and after construction. These treatments are classified into repellent and non-repellent chemicals. Termites can die through contact with the termiticide or by consuming the treated soil. The effectiveness of termite treatments depends on factors like soil type, ambient conditions, and dosage.

Professional termite treatments should protect homes for around five years, with the longest-lasting treatments being liquid. Treatments should be reapplied every five years and periodically checked for termite bait sites. Termite management is essential for protecting wooden constructions and preventing costly repairs and structural problems.

Content Summary: 

• Termites, scientifically known as Isoptera, are a group of termites.
• They come in different varieties: Drywood termites, Subterranean or Underground termites, Black termites, Formosan termites, and Dampwood termites.
• Subterranean termites live underground in cooperative colonies connected by tunnels.
• These colonies can be as large as half an acre, with hundreds of thousands to millions of individuals.
• Termite activity can be indicated by dripping or discoloured drywall, paint peeling, hollow tapping wood, small gaps in the drywal, buckling floorboards, loosening tiles, overly creaky floors, scorching or hollow wood, and bubbling or fractured wall paint.
• Termite infestations can remain hidden behind obstacles like walls and flooring for years.
• Termite control includes live things, making it difficult to control.
• Termite activity can be indicated by dripping or discoloured drywall, paint peeling, tapping wood, small gaps in the drywal, buckling floorboards, loosening tiles, overly creaky floors, scorching or hollow wood, and bubbling or fractured wall paint.
• Termite prevention strategies include trimming shrub and tree branches away from roofs and walls, clearing the area of any wooden debris, storing firewood far from the house, directing A/C drainage lines away from the home, repairing leaks, installing gutters, storing rain barrels, compost bins, plants, and keeping soffits in good condition and screening vents.
• Termite control during and after construction is typically achieved through liquid soil termiticides.
• The application of termiticide depends on the soil type, product label, and treated area.
• Liquid termiticides are classified into repellent and non-repellent chemicals.
• Termites can die through contact with the soil termiticide or by consuming the treated soil during tunneling.
• Non-repellent termiticides block the termite colony's ability to feed on the treated soil.
• Factors such as soil type, ambient conditions, and dosage affect the effectiveness of soil termiticides over time.
• Termiticides are generally dangerous to humans and should be used sparingly.
• Professional termite treatment should protect your house for around five years, depending on the treatment plan.
• Approximately every five years, reapplying liquid termite treatments and periodically checking termite bait sites.