Termite control is not a problem most households will experience, but homeowners who do have an unfortunate termite infestation have a great ordeal with these hungry home destroyers.
Often confused with ants for their similar appearance, termites are notorious for their almost constant feeding schedule.
Termites are estimated to spend 20 hours a day eating, and capable of consuming a pound of material in that time, for its high portions of glucose (a favorite termite snack.
) Unfortunately, glucose, which has been reduced and the needs of termites is found more often in wood, in particular the variety we used to construct homes, furniture, and other household objects.
If your home is under attack from termites, there are many options for removal, and steps you can take toward long-standing termite control.
The first step in successful implementation of the fight against termites invading your home is to seal them in one place.
While termites can go anywhere, they are usually in large masses in one place.
Termites must also remain in wet and humid, so prefer hidden places that are out of high traffic areas or deep inside your walls.
This can make them difficult to find, but their typically stay close to the rest of the colony.
If you're suspecting a need for termite control, there are some common indicators to look for.
Termite damage is surprisingly easy to identify, but not as simple to track down.
Once you find where the termites are entering and traveling through your home through, it will provide a good reference to investigate for similar damage around the home.
Termite damage is associated with some common features: worn surfaces of wood, trails of sawdust, tiny passages dug in the planks for wood are all indicators.
They also travel in swarms and rarely leave their nest and colony in the moist hold they've built out.
Termites also remain largely hidden, which is why they prefer to eat indoors rather than expose themselves to predators outside.
It's estimated that around five billion dollars is spent each year related to termite control and repair of the damage done to homes.
Professional pest exterminators are well educated and equipped for identifying a need and executing termite control, with options past the standard tenting and fumigation process.
If you are concerned and uncertain, getting in touch with a local office will effectively put your worries at ease, and allow you to begin to reclaim control over your home.