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Termite control: the unseen pest

Responsible for 95% of the termite damage in the United State, subterranean termites are unusual pests because they are seldom seen until after substantial damage has been done. As their name suggests, subterranean termite colonies live in underground nests. Worker termites come above ground to feed on wood, but remain out-of-sight by entering directly into wood that contacts the ground, through cracks in concrete as small as 1/64th of an inch, or by constructing tell-tale “mud tubes” over physical obstacles to get wood above. When feeding, termites hollow out long galleries following the grain of wood and are careful not to break through the wood surface. Each “bite” of wood a worker termite takes is smaller than the period at the end of this sentence. However, a mature colony of subterranean termites can do considerable damage since it may have several hundred thousand or more workers, each feeding several times per day. The end result – wood that looks perfectly solid, yet crumbles when even slight pressure is applied. In warm areas, termite attacks on homes can be year-round.

Termite facts

	No home, including those made of bricks or stone, is immune to termite attack. Furniture, books and decorations are subject to attack even when building is made of concrete.
	Termites are found in every corner of the world, particularly those with tropical temperate climates.
	Wood is a primary food for termites, but they also attracted to books, shoes, furniture, and other material containing cellulose.
	A mature subterranean termite colony can number more than 250,000 insects.
	Termites will construct “mud tubes” to cross over concrete walls, pipes and other physical barriers. They have been known to construct free-standing mud tubes more than three (3) feet high to reach from the ground to the sub-flooring above.
	Winged “swarmer” termites are usually seen in the spring and are a sign that a mature colony is nearby. Unlike winged ants, swarming termites have four wings of equal length, a thick waist, and straight, bean-like antennae. Swarmers search for a moist niche in the soil in which to lay eggs and establish a new colony. Within several years a colony will grow large enough to damage buildings and a relatively small area can harbor several colonies. If swarmers are seen, a professional pest control operator should be called to perform an inspection.

Termite control: termiticide application

The gold in termite control is to install a continuous barrier of termiticide in the soil around and beneath the home or structure. This treated soil prevents termites from entering the building and attacking wood. The ideal time to make a termidicide application is in the early stages of construction. Called a pre-construction treatment, this application is made after all plumbing, wiring and other utility lines have been installed in the soil, but before a concrete slab is poured. Pre-construction applications allow pest control operators to see the soil as they treat it and help to ensure through termidicide coverage. Pre-construction applications are generally easier to perform, since there are no structural obstructions. Termidicide soil treatment can also be made to an existing building. Known as a post-construction treatment, these applications usually require digging in the soil and drilling through concrete or masonry to allow the termiticide to be injected into the soil below. Expert knowledge by the applicator is needed to ensure all necessary areas are treated.

Choosing a Pest Control Company

	Get at least three quotes. The lowest price does not always mean the best deal. When shopping for a pest control professional, ask specifically for the amount of experience they have in dealing with subterranean termite control. Clarify the type of coverage (such as service after the sale) you can expect with a particular contract.
	The pest control company should make a complete inspection of the entire building to determine the origin and the extent of the infestation. This inspection is extremely important because without a thorough inspection, proper treatment cannot be recommended. You should be given a written report stating the extent of the infestation and probable origin (ground or aerial) with a graph indicating areas of activity. The report also details what structures or areas will be treated and how, what product or insecticide and rate will be used, and any warranty or limitations to the treatment.
	Ask if the contract makes any distinction between the subterranean termite and native subterranean termite. Any company whose contract makes a distinction probably realizes the need for this separation.
	Ask for references on completed subterranean termite work. Do not be pressured by a company to treat your structure immediately (today). Taking a couple of weeks to thoroughly research treatment options and different pest control companies is not unreasonable. Ask if they object to a second opinion concerning the method of treatment or extent of damage.