Termites’ Pre Treatment and Management

Damage to homes and other structures can be caused by termites, which are subterranean insects that feed on wood. The annual cost to property owners for termite prevention and remediation exceeds two billion dollars, and the harm that is caused by these pests is worth billions of dollars.

Up to several million termites can be found in a colony. The worker termites have no eyes and are cream colored, measuring around 1/4 inch in length. To carry out their tasks, they communicate chemically. 

Additionally, there are large-headed and jawed army termites that guard the colony and its workers. The colony's king and queen are both brown in hue. Although they lose their wings as adults, they are born with the ability to fly and form a new colony.

Termite Types

Termites come in more than 2,500 different species. Their environments are used to classify them, and they include: 

1. Termites in both damp and dry wood - These termites inhabit wood that has decayed and varied in moisture content. 

2. Underground termites - Termites that dwell underground inhabit both soil and timber that has been attached to the earth.

Where Do Termites Live?

Some termite species are found in temperate regions of the world, but the majority are found in tropical climates. The majority of the 41 termite species that inhabit the country are found in the southwest. Termites require moist, dark spaces without air exposure in order to survive. 

Termites live in complicated colonies; a single colony might have several million individuals as well as multiple central "headquarters." The headquarters are connected by a vast network of underground tunnels and are situated close to food supplies.

How Can I Tell Whether I Have Termites?

The first line of defence against termites is constant vigilance. Termites exit their tunnels through food sources, mud tubes, or dirt very seldom. Termites are often not noticed by most people unless they see a swarm or find damage while building.

The following is a list of some methods for determining whether you have termites:

• Check exposed wood for hollow spots by prodding it with a flathead screwdriver or other similar instrument.
• Recognise termite swarms (termites are commonly confused with ant swarms).

Ants - Antennae curved at a ninety-degree angle; front wings longer than hind wings.

Termites - have about equal-length wings and straight, sometimes drooping antennae.

Since different termite species may require different forms of treatment, identifying the type of termite infestation on your property is essential. You may lose time and money if the termites are misidentified and the incorrect treatment materials are used.

So what's the appearance of a termite? Although they resemble ants from a distance, you can tell the two apart by their tiny differences:

Ants

Ants have a squeezed or pinched waist, but termites have a straight abdomen and waist. Ants have twisted antennae, but termites have straight antennae like radio wire. Ants have wings that vary in length, but termites have wings that are roughly the same length.

Another important characteristic that can be used to distinguish termites from ants is color. 

Termites 

While termites and ants can both have a variety of hues, worker and soldier termites typically have a creamy white or clear appearance, whereas ants never have that color.

Subterranean, drywood, and dampwood termites are the three main species of termites to be concerned about. Termites are divided into three classes based on their roles.

Soldier Termites

Soldier termites have big heads and mandibles, but reproductives, or swarmers, have wings and can fly. The cream-colored worker termites resemble little ants. Identifying termites by the area of their infestation is simpler. 

Drywood Termites 

Drywood termites are found indoors in the eaves and attic. Drywood Termites don't require close access to soil to infiltrate a structure, in contrast to other termite species. Both Formosan and Subterranean termites may be present in the basement. Termites that live underground typically swarm from January to May. The Formosan termite swarm occurs in April through July.

Subterranean termites

Subterranean termites may be found outdoors at the base of your structure, where the earth meets the timber. Around outdoor illumination, Formosan Swarmers may gather in large groups. Coastal regions are home to a higher population of dampwood termites, which require an abundance of moisture. Wooden siding next to rain gutters and other structures exposed to continuous rainfall are prime targets for dampwood termite infestations.

Where To Look:

Begin in your house. Inspect crawl spaces, attics, basements, and any other place that utilizes wood. Examine the wooden window and door frames, ceiling joists, support beams, and any other wooden component in your house. Take a look at the wooden pathways, decks, patios, porches, fences, and other exterior wood structures. Examine where the wood meets the dirt at the base of the building. Examine the window, door, eaves, soffits, and fascia frames from the outside.

What To Search:

It is necessary to search for termites or indications of termite activity, such as termite galleries, mud tubes, and abandoned swarmer wings. Mud tubes are tiny tunnels that emerge from the ground and ascend to the structure like roots. The termite species most commonly associated with creating mud tubes are Formosan and Subterranean.

All species of swarmers will shed their wings in order to reproduce. It should be very concerning if you come across swarmer termites or even just their termite wings anywhere since it indicates that the termite population has increased to the point where swarmers are moving out from the nest.

Termites excise sawdust and waste from the damaged wood, which is called frass. Frass is produced by termite species that are dampwood and drywood; you may find it under damaged wood and on window sills.

Check within the wood next. Look for termite galleries by digging through the wood with a screwdriver and a flashlight. Termite galleries are tiny, grain-following tunnels found inside wood. Termite activity has been detected if you locate termite galleries, mud tubes, swarmer wings, and frass.

8 DIY Termite Control Tips

There's never a terrible moment to start building your defenses against these wood-chewing pests because termites are busy year-round. Homeowners can protect their properties from termites with a variety of extremely effective do-it-yourself methods. What you should know is as follows.

Examine Your Foundation Every Season

In order to create a termite treatment strategy, slowly stroll around your foundation multiple times a year, looking for any indications of damage. Although mud tubes are an indication that termites are attempting to scale up your foundation in search of siding or other edible wood, termites do not actually consume concrete. It's time for a more thorough examination and some do-it-yourself termite treatment methods if you notice mud tubes.

Maintain Proper Ventilation and Sealing

Continue to use enough sealing and ventilation

The keys to controlling moisture are sealing and ventilation. In addition to causing mildew and decay, moisture can build up and seep into wood in attics and basements, providing termites with the ideal habitat. Additionally, moisture might accumulate behind your walls if proper sealing and moisture barriers aren't installed. This is one of the better termite management strategies because without that wetness, termites have less motivation to continue exploring.

Pruning Shrubs and Trees

Additionally, live vegetation may present issues. Maintain manicured shrubs far from your home. When pruning bushes and plants, do not pile mulch up against your home. For do-it-yourself termite control, ensure sure no tree limbs are near your house if there are any nearby.

Don't Put Wood Piles Near Your House

Termites can easily go from outside wood to siding and inside wood. Give them no "springboards" into your home, please. For DIY termite control, keep any wood piles at least 20 feet away from your home. And it includes wood heaps found in nature, such as tree stumps, mulch piles, and firewood. One of the quickest termite control techniques is this one.

Bait Termites in the yard

Termite bait stations serve as a repellant for termites, luring them away from your home and assisting in the nest's destruction before the termites cause too much harm.

Termites Can Also Die from Heat

Heat is a great termite repellant and a simple DIY termite killer because termites are heat-sensitive insects. Termites will perish in an area if it can be heated to at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 30 minutes. This is an affordable alternative to chemicals for termite control that you can do on your own. However, this should not be attempted near plastics or wires, and it is less effective on particularly massive beams. 

Use Treated Wood

Use pressure-treated wood when constructing anything new for your yard or garden to help against termite damage. Termites seldom ever attempt to consume chemical-treated wood.

Utilise Plastic for Storage

Another major attraction for termites is cardboard. Plastic containers should be used in place of cardboard if you keep anything in your garage or house in cardboard boxes. Make sure cardboard is placed in a recycling bin rather than just piled up somewhere if you are storing it for recycling.

Conclusion 

Termites, subterranean insects that feed on wood, cause significant damage to homes and structures. They come in over 2,500 species and live in damp and dry wood, as well as underground soil and timber. Termites are found in tropical climates, with most in the southwest. Identifying termite infestations is crucial, as they require different treatment methods.

Termites have a creamy white or clear appearance, unlike ants. They are divided into three classes: soldier termites, drywood termites, and subterranean termites. Soldier termites have wings and can fly, while drywood termites live indoors and outdoors. Coastal regions have a higher population of dampwood termites, which require moisture.

To detect termite activity, inspect wooden structures such as crawl spaces, attics, and basements. Look for termite galleries, mud tubes, and abandoned swarmer wings. Maintain proper ventilation and sealing to prevent moisture buildup and termite infestation. Prune shrubs and trees away from the house, and avoid placing wood piles near the house.

Bait termites in the yard with termite bait stations, heat them to 120 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes, use pressure-treated wood when building new structures, and use plastic containers for storage instead of cardboard. These DIY termite control tips can help protect your property from these wood-chewing pests.

Content Summary: 

• Termites are subterranean insects that feed on wood, causing significant damage to homes and structures.
• Termites come in over 2,500 different species, categorised into damp and dry wood termites and underground termites.
• Termites are found in tropical climates, with most in the southwest of the United States.
• They live in complex colonies with multiple central "headquarters" connected by underground tunnels and close to food supplies.
• Termites are often not noticed by most people unless they see a swarm or find damage.
• Identifying termites involves checking exposed wood for hollow spots, recognizing termite swarms, and comparing their antennae and wings.
• Termites typically have a creamy white or clear appearance, while ants can have a variety of hues.
• Soldier Termites: Large heads and mandibles, but reproductives, or swarmers, have wings and can fly.
• Drywood Termites: Found indoors in the eaves and attic, require close access to soil to infiltrate a structure.
• Subterranean Termites: Found outdoors at the base of a structure, where the earth meets the timber.
• Coastal regions have a higher population of dampwood termites, which require an abundance of moisture.
• Inspect wood-using areas like crawl spaces, attics, basements, and exterior wood structures.
• Look for termite galleries, mud tubes, and abandoned swarmer wings.
• Termite species like Formosan and Subterranean create mud tubes.
• Swarmer termites or their wings indicate an increased termite population.
• Termites excrete sawdust and waste from damaged wood, called frass.
• Look for termite galleries inside the wood using a screwdriver and flashlight.
• Examine your foundation every season for signs of damage.
• Maintain proper ventilation and sealing to control moisture.
• Prune shrubs and trees far from your home.
• Avoid placing wood piles near your house.
• Bait termites in the yard using termite bait stations.
• Heat termites to at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 30 minutes.
• Use pressure-treated wood when constructing new items.
• Use plastic containers for storage instead of cardboard.