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Removal can be achieved using a broom or vacuum.Fig. 2: Winged termites emerging indoors are a telltale sign of infestation.Q: How will I know if my home is infestedA: Discovering winged termites indoors almost always indicates an infestation warranting treatment. Since the swarmers are attracted to light, they often are seen around windows and doorways.

Termites have straight antennae, a uniformly thickened waist, and wings of equal dimensions. Conversely, ants have elbowed antennae, constricted waists, and forewings which are longer than the hind wings.Fig. 3: Termite swarmers are often confused with winged ants.Swarms of termites emerging from tree stumps, woodpiles, etc. outside in the yard are not necessarily cause for concern, and do not necessarily mean the home is infested.

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Termites construct the tubes for refuge as they travel between their underground colonies and also the structure. To help determine if an infestation is busy, the tubes might be broken open and checked for the presence of little, creamy-white worker termites. In case a tube happens to be vacant, it does not necessarily mean that the infestation is inactive; termites often abandon sections of tubing while foraging elsewhere in the structure.Fig.

5: Termite colonies contain many workers that consume wood and smaller numbers of soldiers (center) with jaws altered for defense.  Termite-damaged timber is hollowed out along the grain, with pieces of dried mud or dirt lining the feeding galleries. Wood damaged by moisture or other types of insects (e.g., carpenter ants) will not have this appearance.

Rippled or sunken traces behind wall coverings can also be indicative of termites tunneling underneath.Fig. 6: Termite-damaged hardwood has soil lining the feeding galleries.Oftentimes there will be no clear indication of infestation. Termites are mysterious monsters and infestations can go undetected for years, hidden behind walls, floor coverings, insulation, and other obstructions.

Confirmation of termites often necessitates the keen eye of a professional -- however, even the most experienced inspector can overlook signs which are hidden.Fig. 7: Termites are cryptic. This damage was discovered when a vacuum head broke through a baseboard.  Q: Can I handle the house myselfA: Its best not to for home infestations.

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A knowledge of building construction is needed to identify critical areas where termites are more likely to enter. Many of these potential points of entry are hidden and hard to access. Termite control additionally utilizes specialized equipment such as powerful masonry drills, large-capacity spray tanks, and long metal rods for injecting dirt.

A possible exception might be if a mailbox or other little wooden object not connected to the house was infested. "Do-it-yourself" goods, offered to homeowners at retail stores or purchased on the internet, will seldom eradicate an existing termite problem.Q: How do I select a termite company Why is there such variance in priceA: These are complex questions.

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Membership in their state pest control association and/or National Pest Management Association indicate the company is an established firm with access to technical and training information needed to perform the job correctly. Just like any support, references are extremely helpful. Consider calling at least a few companies. Requesting inspections and quotes from more than one can help confirm the existence of a termite infestation and allow you to compare services.Companies offer you different types of treatment methods and warranties.

Some companies will also repair damage occurring after their treatment, even though dating onset of termite damage is a hard thing to determine. In some circumstances, no warranty will be offered in case wells, drainage systems, sub-slab heat ducts, or inaccessible crawl spaces make it impossible to treat in accordance with industry standards.Take your time when selecting a company.

Avoid companies that try to pressure you into signing a contract immediately with specials or scare tactics. The general grade of the job depends less on the sales person than the individual who finally does the work. A safe and effective termite treatment requires an experienced technician, not someone hired a couple weeks ago.Q: Which treatment method is effectiveA: There are two general kinds of termite treatment -- liquids and baits.

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Their purpose is to provide a long-lasting barrier in the soil that prevents termites from entering and infesting buildings. In the majority of cases, termites already within the building die off too, since they cannot return to the dirt for supplemental moisture. Most former liquid termiticides were repellent rather than lethal to termites foraging in the dirt.

Such products are often more reliable controlling infestations in the very first attempt.Fig. 8: 2 treatment options for termites: liquid application (left), baiting (appropriate ) The other treatment category is baiting. Termite baits consist of cellulose-based meals combined with a slow-acting substance web lethal to termites. The baits are installed below ground out in the lawn in cylindrical vinyl stations.