Termite Control Termite control, termite identification, termiticides

Termite Control and Budget Control

The best way to stop a termite problem is to protect your home or office from termites by placing a liquid barrier around the structure with a product such as Termidor SC. We recommend that homeowners use Termidor SC for termite control because it is effective for up to 10 years and contains a bait that will kill the entire termite colony, including the queen.

The Termite Zone: Do you live in it?

If you are not sure whether or not you might have a termite control problem, there are a few ways that you can find out. For instance, you can find out where termites are most likely to infest.
In the United States, for example, termites can survive and proliferate almost anywhere (in every state but Alaska that is) although they are most common in the southern United States. It is highly recommended by most pest control experts that if you live in the southern United States that you scope out ‘the dirty trail of termites,’ or in other words, look for the signs of termites. It doesn’t take long and some much needed termite control might save your home.

How to Identify Swarming Termites
Swarming termites look very similar to swarming ants, and sometimes it can be hard to distinguish between the two. Here are some things to look for:

Flying Ants

• Antennae that are bent or "elbowed".
• Bodies have a thin mid-section.
• Wings are usually NOT alike in size and shape.

Swarming Termites

• Antennae that are straight, curved and beadlike.
• Thicker mid-sections.
• Wings are very similar in size and shape.
  

Subterranean termites
As their name implies, subterranean termites live under ground and dig tunnels which allow them to access your home and any cellulose supply that they may find there (i.e. usually wood or paper). Signs of subterranean termites include the ‘swarming period’ during which time some of the subterranean termites fly from their colony to build new ones. These termites may look somewhat like ants but as the image above illustrates, termites have wings that are more or less equal in size, a thicker waist and straighter antennas. Additional signs include shelter tubes or tunnels that are composed of mud and can usually be found on walls, chimneys, joists, piers, plumbing and additional fixtures.

Subterranean termites can also give themselves away by leaving broken structural members, wood that is hollow inside and obviously damaged, cracked soil or blistered wood.

Drywood termites
These termites actually make their home inside of yours. You can often detect drywood termites by looking for wood blisters or discarded wings or termite waste that looks like sawdust. This ‘sawdust’ can usually be found on windowsills or floors.

For More Information
For more information about affordable termite control, please feel free to contact a DoMyOwnPestControl.com representative.