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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 can I know if my house 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 doors.

Termites have straight antennae, a uniformly thickened waist, and wings of equal size. Conversely, ants have elbowed antennae, constricted waists, and forewings that 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 lawn are not necessarily cause for concern, and do not necessarily mean the house is infested.

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Termites construct the tubes for refuge as they travel between their underground colonies and the structure. To help determine if an infestation is active, 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 tube while foraging elsewhere in the structure.Fig.

5: Termite colonies contain many employees that consume wood and smaller numbers of soldiers (center) with limbs altered for defense.  Termite-damaged timber is hollowed out along the grain, with bits 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 dirt lining the feeding galleries.Oftentimes there will be no obvious indication of infestation. Termites are cryptic monsters and infestations can go undetected for years, hidden behind partitions, floor coverings, insulation, and other obstructions.

Confirmation of termites often requires the keen attention of a professional -- nonetheless, even the most experienced inspector can miss signs that are hidden.Fig. 7: Termites are mysterious. This damage was discovered when more tips here a vacuum head broke through a baseboard.  Q: Can I treat the home 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 get. Termite control also uses 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 small wooden object not connected to the house was infested. "Do-it-yourself" goods, sold to homeowners at retail stores or bought on the internet, will rarely 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 suggest the company is an established firm with access to technical and training information needed to do the job correctly. As with any support, references are very helpful. Consider calling at least a few companies. Requesting inspections and estimates from more than one will help confirm the existence of a termite infestation and allow you to compare services.Companies offer different types of treatment procedures and warranties.

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

Avoid firms that attempt to pressure you into signing a contract immediately with specials or scare tactics. The general quality of the job depends less on the sales person than the individual who ultimately does the job. A safe and effective termite treatment requires an experienced technician, not someone hired a couple weeks ago.Q: This treatment method is effectiveA: There are two general categories of termite treatment -- fluids and baits.

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

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