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Termite Part of the Termitoidae family

Termites

Overview: Termites consist of thousands of different species of insects that feed on dead organic material. They most commonly feed on wood, and they are most widely known for causing structural damage to wooden buildings and also causing significant harm to crops and other forms of vegetation.

Latin Name: Part of the Termitoidae family

Description:

Termites are only distantly related to ants, but share many similarities. Termites are often confused with flying ants because they look very similarly to one another. Both are brown in color, approximately one centimeter in length, and have long slender bodies, large wings, three pairs of legs, and antennae. However, unlike the ant, the termite does not have an abdomen, the head is more round, and the antennae are straight instead of elbowed.

Also like the ant, termites live in large colonies where they operate within a hierarchical system. There are workers, soldiers, and queen termites. However, the duties of a termite are different from the ant. The termites role in nature is to work within their colonies to destroy and break down organic material.

Termites are one of the most reviled and feared types of pests because they are capable of causing large amounts of costly damage. These insects are able to so much damage because they can infest and multiply within a crop or a home to very large sizes before they are ever detected. If regular termites inspections or prevention measures are not in place, termites can cause widespread structural destruction before they are noticed.

These insects tend to thrive in warmer climates, and are most active in North America during springtime. However, as there are roughly 3,000 different species of termite, there are varieties that can live and grow in nearly any region. The different types of termite will live in different materials and feed on different sources. There are subterranean termites that prefer to live in mounds of soil, while there are other species that will live inside the drywall of a building, destroying the structure from the inside out. These pests can obviously cause major problems for humans.

Link:
Termite Inspection & Control Methods - Termite Prevention ...

Accurate Termite & Pest Control in Orange County has served the local community for over 15 years. Trusted by thousands of residential and commercial property owners, you can count on Accurate for fast, reliable and long-lasting termite and pest removal. The safety of your home and family is of the utmost importance to us. We recognize the health risks and property damage that can result from unwanted pest infestations and offer a wide range of services for the removal of termites, bees, cockroaches and ants, as well as rodents including raccoons, squirrels, rats, mice and more.

Many of our Orange County clients contact us after noticing a visible termite or pest infestation. Although we provide quick and effective extermination services, we encourage homeowners to perform routine termite and pest inspections. The most costly and destructive damage caused by termites and pests is done behind walls or is hidden in the structure of a home. Often times, only a certified and professionally trained inspector will be able to identify visible warning signs of such damage. With termites and pests causing more than 5 billion dollars in damages to homes each year, it is crucial homeowners identify and exterminate any infestations as soon as possible. Accurate Termite & Pest Control offers free home assessments to determine if your home may be at risk of an infestation. If you are interested in scheduling a free home consultation, please contact us today at 888-584-7187.

Accurate Termite & Pest Control is committed to providing effective extermination solutions to create a pest free environment for your home and yard. All Accurate applicators are certified by the state of California and apply industry grade products that have been proven safe for your home, family and pets. To provide additional peace of mind for our clients, we have also invested in a better application system with back-pack style applicators. The liquid product is securely contained inside a sealed container and variable control nozzles are used to precisely apply the product only where needed. With Accurate termite and pest control in Orange County, you never have to worry about the quality of our service or the safety of your home and family.

As a locally owned and operated company in Orange County, we strive to form long-lasting and meaningful relationships with our clients. We guarantee your complete satisfaction with our services and offer warranties to protect you against reinfestation. If for some reason reinfstation does occur within your warranty period, our inspectors and applicators will return to evaluate and retreat the area at no additional cost. Our commitment to exceptional termite and pest control and extermination is reflected in the quality of our work and dedication to our clients.

Sleep comfortably at night knowing your home is safe and free of termites and pests. No long term contracts are required and all of our termite and pest extermination services are available at affordable prices. If you would like to learn more about our tailored extermination and maintenance plans or are interested in scheduling a free home consultation, please contact us today at 888-584-7187.

Excerpt from:
Top Termite & Pest Control Orange County Homeowners Trust | Accurate

by Mike Potter, Extension Entomologist University of Kentucky College of Agriculture

Entomology departments often receive more calls about termites than any other household insect. Subterranean termites are serious pests, whose control is best left to professionals. Termites and termite management services can be confusing, however, and there are more options available today than ever before. Some of the most common termite questions raised by homeowners are answered below.

NOTE: The answers contained in this publication are based on conditions and regulations as they exist in Kentucky, USA. Timing of termite appearance and regulatory/legal considerations may be different in your local area. You may also wish to consult your local cooperative extension agency or government department about specific recommendations for your area.

Q: Why worry about termites?

A: Termites cause billions of dollars in damage each year. They primarily feed on wood, but also damage paper, books, insulation, and even swimming pool liners and filtration systems. Termites can injure living trees and shrubs, but more often are a secondary invader of woody plants already in decline. While buildings may become infested at any time, termites are of particular importance when buying or selling a home since a termite inspection/infestation report is normally a condition of sale. Besides the monetary impact, thousands of winged termites emerging inside one's home are an emotionally trying experience not to mention the thought of termites silently feasting on one's largest investment.

Q: Why are infestations often discovered during March - May?

Read more here:
Termite Control: Answers for Homeowners | University of Kentucky ...

Do A Termite Inspection -The appearance of winged or swarming termites is often the first indication of a termite problem. Although the swarm poses little or no immediate danger to the structure, it is a warning that your home is under attack by termites, and the homeowner should make an effort to locate the source from which they are emerging. Now is the time to make a inspection of your home. If you are not able to do this termite inspection, or are not satisfied with your results, you should call a professional termite company to do the termite inspection for you.

During my termite inspection I found this termite tube at the base of a toilet. The first thing that comes to mind is maybe termites are entering though openings in the slab around the pipes. Well keep looking to gather more pieces of the puzzle. Ill check the outside foundation wall very closely when I get there. details below outside termite inspection.

Make your termite inspection annually. Termites left to do their work without detection over time can cause severe damage to your home and your pocket book.

Check all places where wood is near, or rests on, the ground. Weather boarding, wood supports, basement window frames, door casings, sills, etc., can be checked for soundness by tapping lightly with a small hammer and/or probed with a screwdriver. If hollow wood is found, and it is the result of a termite infestation, the soft grain portions of the wood will be eaten away leaving the hard grain sections, making the wood look a little like an accordion.

You must look for signs of termites. Sub-Termites are subterranean creatures, they live underground, so they wont be out in the open just crawling around. Start your outside termite inspection by checking the base of your foundation wall all the way around the structure, take your time and really look. Your are looking for mud tubes or mud between construction joints. Areas to focus on are where porches meet the foundation walls, around chimneys and planters that are against the foundation wall.

During your termite inspection you must look for signs of termites. Termites are subterranean creatures so they wont be out in the open just crawling around.

Check the base of your most outside wall all the way around the interior of your structure, you are looking for mud tubes or mud between building materials such as between the baseboard and sheet rock.

You must look for signs of termites. Termites are subterranean creatures so they wont be out in the open just crawling around.

While doing all of this dont step through the ceiling! Be careful!

More:
Termite Inspection | How to Do a Termite Inspection - Termite MD

Free Termite Inspection

There are two types of homes inPhoenixthose with termites and those that aregonna get termites!

Most of the Phoenix area was once virgin desert or farm land with moderate termite pressure. Construction has created moisture sources, shelter from our Arizona heat, and food (the wood in your home). As a result termite populations in the Phoenix area are exploding.

As the homes in Arizona agethe initial protective barrier(s) or pretreatments are wearing outno longer fending off the hordes of termites waiting to feast on your home or business. Termites can invade your home from underground, above ground, via flight or importation. It takes a trained and experienced exterminator to detect Arizona termites.

Bills Pest Termite Control recommends that every home in Arizona should be inspected at least once a year for termites. Order your FREE TERMITE INSPECTION below today.

Termites are destructive, causing major structural damage to homes and commercial buildings across the United States. Yearly estimates of damage run into the billions of dollars.

Everyday 1000s of Valley homes are secretly invaded by termites who nest out of sight and have easy access to your home. The best protection against termite destruction is a year inspection from Arizonas experts Bills Pest Termite Control.

Dont let termites destroy your home. Dont be a victim go on offense and order your FREE termite inspection today!

Complete theform belowand well schedule your FREE termite inspection

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Free Termite Inspection | Termite Control Phoenix - Pest Control ...

Free Termite Inspection Call Now or fill out the form below.

Home Termite Control & Protection

We feel there is no better defense against termites than a customized home protection plan from Orkin. After a comprehensive inspection of your home, The Orkin Man will prescribe a customized combination of treatment methods designed to help protect what is probably your biggest investment. Orkin bases treatment techniques on your homes specific construction type because we understand that every home is unique, and not all customers needs are the same. Not just for any home, for your home.

Orkins mission is to deliver the worlds best value in termite control. Youll receive written specifications, customized diagrams and an inspection report after your consultation. And, if termites happen to return following your treatment while under our warranty period, we promise to re-treat the problem at no additional charge.*

See how we use the latest science and technology so we can protect your home with an effective plan suited to your needs.

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Left untreated, termites can literally eat up the equity in your home. According to the National Pest Management Association, termites cost Americans more than $5 billion in damages each year. Thats more than fire and flooding combined. And their destruction knows no bounds because any home, regardless of its construction type, can offer the ideal combination of warmth, moisture, and food for a termite attack. Additionally, many homeowners insurance plans wont cover any of the damage. Not having protection can lead to problems when selling a home, since many lending institutions require a termite bond before lending money to home buyers.

Unless there are signs of an active termite infestation, you probably wont detect termites because they forage and hang out hidden from view. Learn more about the telltale signs of termite infestations and the damage they can cause to your home. Visit our Termite Infestation Threat page or our Risk Aeras: Termite Infestation for some additional tips.

Orkin specialists are extremely qualified to help protect homes against termites. Our specialists have undergone extensive training with some of the most advanced equipment in the industry.Because effective treatment requires specialized tools such as hammer drills, sub slab injectors, rodding devices, and other equipment, only highly trained specialists should be trusted.

Orkins proprietary method for keeping termites in their place consists of three important steps.

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Orkin Termite Control & Protection

Termite Inspection - Hills District
This is a brief video of what a professional Termite Inspection would look like and what you should expect from a professional pest control company.

By: Bruce Gow

Here is the original post:
Termite Inspection - Hills District - Video

1) Do you really have termites, or some other flying insect like ants?

2) What kind of termites do you have? The treatment options will differ.

3) How did you get them, and how can you stop them in the future?

Do you have them?

Find An Exterminator - If you think you do have termites, it's extremely hard to get rid of them on your own. On this page, you can fill out a quick form and get price quotes from exterminators in your area for inspections, preventative treatments, or elimination of existing colonies in your home. You can also get quotes on inspections for real estate sales (i.e., if you're thinking of buying a place and want it checked out first).

Pictures of Termites - Some more photos to help you identify them.

How to do a Termite Inspection - This page covers how to do a termite inspection yourself, the signs of termites, links to pictures of what to look for and pictures of termites, as well as the basics about getting a professional inspection done.

Basic Information About Termites:

Follow this link:
Termite Guide - How to Kill Termites

Termite Control

Do you know what is the single largest cause of destruction of property in the USA ? No, its not killer tornados or earthquakes. Its termite infestation that causes untold damage every year, more so in California.

Sadly, the size of the damage prevents us from putting an estimate on it. The extent of destruction cannot be seen by the naked eye. Slowly but surely, the structure of your building and property is eaten into by termites and you may not discover the situation until its too late.

Fortunately, there are certain signs that will alert you to a termite attack. Dark colored droppings mainly around wooden structures, like window sills or base boards. Also, at a more serious level, dark mud tunnels are an indication that you should seek a remedy immediately.

Call HI TECH termite control services. We will evaluate the extent of damage and advise you on a suitable course of action. Your problems will be solved by our professionals who have a lot of expertise in this field.

. San Jose. San Francisco. Santa Clara. Pleasanton. Oakland

Link:
Termite Control | Termite Treatment and Inspection Company | San ...

Listed below are some useful recommendations for the home-owner to carry out in order to help reduce the risk of undetected termite activity inside a building. Rapid termite colony development and building infestation is usually associated with a readily available timber food and moisture source nearby the central nest. Buildings are often constructed in a way that allow termites to gain undetectable entry from the soil to the structural timbers of the building. (1) Moisture exclusion from inside the wall cavities, around the base of the building and sub-floor area. Exclude excessive water run-off from a sub-floor area by the installation of ag-drains. Make sure there is adequate cross flow ventilation in the sub-floor area. In addition, a qualified plumber should be engaged to ensure there is no water leakage from plumbing pipes in the bathroom, the shower recess, kitchen, down pipes, guttering and air conditioning unit overflow. Look for signs of dampness in the wall cavities, broken roof tiles, faulty guttering and the like. High humidity, dampness or moisture accumulating in a wall cavity is of high risk to encouraging large scale termite activity inside the building. (2) Removal of any timber in contact with the soil. Timbers should be stored above ground level to allow full inspection for termite activity. Any landscaping using timber chip mulch and railway sleepers should be removed, as they provide ready food source to assist in rapid termite colony development. (3) Ensure inspection access is unimpeded, particularly in sub-floor areas of suspended floors, in order to look for evidence of termite activity. If your home is on concrete slab on-ground flooring, make sure you can inspect the entire external slab edge for evidence of termite mud-shelter tubes. Do NOT allow this area to be covered by pavers, landscaping, planter pots, etc, as termites often gain entry into the wall cavity through external weep holes and gaps in the mortar of brick-work. If you find live termites DO NOT disturb the area. DO NOT use spray insecticides on the termites. If sufficiently disturbed, the termites may move elsewhere and not be rediscovered until severe damage has been done. The termite controller can install a termite bait on the termite activity area aimed at maximising bait consumption by the termites and elimination of the entire colony.

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Termite.com.au • Termite Control Options