Termite control is a vastly important industry, with these pests causing billions of dollars in damage each year. A termite feeds mostly on wood, but can also get into paper, books, insulation, and other areas of the home. Termites can harm living trees, but they more commonly attack woody plants that are already in decline. Besides the obvious economic damage it causes, an infestation can also be a significant emotional strain. For this reason, termite control is essential. And since it is so complex and difficult a task, getting to these pests and eradicating them from a home is normally a task best left to trained experts in the field.

While a termite infestation can happen at any time during the year, colonies often gather in the spring, when the weather is getting warmer and there is plenty of rain. It is during this season that the largest numbers of these winged swarmers get into homes. If you find a winged termite inside your home, it is usually a sign of an infestation and time to call for termite control services. Those you might find that have emerged indoors are best dealt with by simply vacuuming them up. However, it is the ones feeding on the structure of your home that you really have to worry about.

Between the months of March and May especially, these swarmers tend to drop to the ground, pair off with a mate, and attempt to start a new colony in the soil. Relatively few of them emerging outdoors end up surviving. Swarmers that emerge indoors are equally unlikely to survive; even so, their presence points to trouble elsewhere in and around the home. To get the situation under control, you first need to know where they are getting in. And then you have to figure out how to control them or get rid of the colony. The complexity of the job calls for a termite control professional.

Many people wonder what the signs of infestation might be. There is certainly more than one, but the most obvious is the discovery of winged termites indoors. With this being said, it is crucial not to mistake these pests with ants (which often swarm at the same time of year as the termite population). There are several distinguishing physical characteristics that can help you tell the two apart. Termites have straight antennae, a uniform waist, and wings of all equal size. Winged ants, on the other hand, have antennae that bend in the middle, waists that constrict and longer forewings than hind wings. These differences help to tell the two apart, but if you are still unsure, call a pest and termite control company and find out for sure. Normally there may be a small service call involved, but it can be worth it just in case. You can, of course, also find pictures online to help you judge for yourself. If you find a termite, get a technician over to begin the inspection process.

Another sign that can be helpful is that swarmers are attracted to light, so they are often found around windows and doors. If you find swarmers emerging from tree stumps, wood piles, or other areas outside the home, it is not necessarily cause for concern and not really evidence of a pest control problem. What you need to look out for is a winged termite emerging from the basement or the porch or back deck. These are stronger signs that pest control needs to get involved. Call a termite control professional if you run into these scenarios.

You might detect a termite control issue by noticing earthen tubes about the width of a pencil extending over foundation walls, floor joists, or sill plates. A termite colony will build these tubes to protect them during their travel to and fro between their colonies underground and the inside of the house. If the tubes are broken open and a small type of worker termite found, an active infestation is obvious. However, abandoned mud tubes do not necessarily mean there is no present termite control issue. They may have simply headed to other areas of the home.

Getting rid of termites in a home requires a specialized set of professional skills. Thorough knowledge and experience is needed to know where to look for the likeliest entry points. Many of these points are hidden and are hard to access. Termite control also uses specialized equipment most people don't own. From masonry drills to soil treatment rods, this equipment helps pest control companies find and root out the termites that may elude us as homeowners. Very typically a treatment to eradicate and control the population involves hundreds of gallons of termiticide (a liquid pesticide) injected along the home's foundation, underneath concrete slabs, or within foundation walls. These access points and materials are not readily accessible to the general public. Of course, small infestations in mailboxes or flower boxes not attached to the house are possible exceptions where the homeowner may be able to buy retail products and eliminate the colony.

Choosing a termite control company can be a complex decision. There are many different companies in most any local area. Any pest control contractor you choose should be licensed by the Department of Agriculture or whatever agency is responsible for regulating this industry in your home state. If you are unsure, you can easily find out online. Membership in the National Pest Management Association or local associations at the state level indicate that a company has access to the training and resources it needs to stay current with its practices and to do the job right. Ask for references from any termite control company you contact. And of course, get multiple estimates to not only get a handle on the cost, but also to compare the different recommendations and plans of attack offered up by each of them.

Different termite control companies will offer different treatments and warranties to deal with your pest control issue. In many cases, they will come back within a certain time frame to retreat the affected area at no extra charge. Make sure this kind of provision is included in your termite control agreement. All liquid termiticides are supposed to last for five years when they are applied properly. The actual length of time these treatments control the termite problem in your home will depend on the thoroughness of the application, the severity of the termite control issue in your area, and other conditions. Normally if swarmers are found the year after you have a company come out, it's because of human error in application and not in failure of the chemicals.

Termiticides are tested thoroughly for any effects they might have on the health of people and animals. Before any chemical can be used, it must be tested and approved by the EPA.

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Termite Control - Local Termite Inspection & Treatment

Rapid termite colony development and building infestation is usually associated with a readily available timber food and moisture source nearby the central nest. In addition, buildings are often constructed in a way that allow termites to gain undetectable entry from the soil to the structural timbers of the building. Listed below are some useful recommendations for the home owner to carry out in order to reduce the risk of termite activity inside a building. Moisture exclusion from inside the wall cavities, around the base of the building and sub-floor area (if any). Water run-off can be excluded 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. Please note: high humidity, dampness or moisture accumulating in a wall cavity is of high risk to encouraging large scale termite activity inside the building. Removal of any timber in contact with the soil. Timbers should be stored above ground to allow full inspection of subterranean termite activity (coming from the soil thereunder). Any landscaping using timber chip mulch and railway sleepers should definitely be removed, as they provide ready food source to assist in rapid termite colony development. Ensure inspection access is unimpeded, particularly in sub-floor areas (suspended floors) in order to look for evidence of termite activity. If your property is on a 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 walls of a building via this locality, particularly through external weep holes and minute gaps in the mortar in brick-work. If you find live termites or termite damaged timbers DO NOT disturb the area. DO NOT use spray can or insecticides on the termites. If sufficiently disturbed, the termites are likely to move elsewhere, and may not be rediscovered until further obvious damage has been done. The termite controller can introduce Intrigue termite dust or Exterra termite bait directly to the live termites present in an attempt to eliminate the entire termite colony - as discussed in detail above.

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Termite.com Termite Control Building Protection

Termite Inspection and Control - Brisbane | Ant Attack
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Termite Inspection and Control - Brisbane | Ant Attack - Video

Lan Mac Pest Control
http://www.dexknows.com No matter how much you stomp or spray, do the creepy crawlers keep coming back? At Lan Mac Pest Control, we strive to provide the highest quality services to Fort Myers area residents. With over 5000 satisfied clients, we offer full lawn care, termite inspection and control, insect elimination and much more.From:dexknowsvideo3Views:0 0ratingsTime:00:33More inAutos Vehicles

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Lan Mac Pest Control - Video

Special Offer Will Provide Atlanta with Premium Rodent Control Service at a Discounted Cost

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) September 28, 2012

Atlanta exterminators at ABC Home & Commercial Services work to rid homes of rats, mice, bed bugs, wasps, fleas, ticks, scorpions and more. The initial visit consists of a thorough inspection of the property and identification of any rodents on the premises. Inspectors search the inside and outside of the building for any signs of a rodent infestation. After the evaluation, the Atlanta rodent control expert creates a customized plan of action for the homeowner. Treatments cover both eradication and prevention to eliminate existing rodent populations and keep them from returning.

Customers can fill out the free estimate form on the website to schedule a home visit. Inspectors are now available for initial visits or regularly scheduled service visits. They service both commercial buildings and residential homes in the Atlanta area. For more information, visit the Atlanta homepage at abchomeandcommercial.com/Atlanta.

To view this offer and other offers from ABC, visit their coupon page here.

About ABC Home & Commercial Services:

ABC Home & Commercial Services provides dependable service for general Atlanta pest control, termite management and wildlife management. The company has been involved in pest control and other home and commercial services for over 60 years. Their basic philosophy of rodent and pest control is to identify sources of entry and eliminate them quickly and effectively. ABC recommends regularly scheduled visits from an exterminator to control the spread of pests in the Atlanta region.

ABC Home & Commercial Services-Atlanta ABC Home & Commercial Services (770) 730-9500 Email Information

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ABC Home & Commercial Services’ Atlanta Branch Now Offering $50 Off Initial Service with Signature Rodent Agreement

Steven Klinshaw uses his life experiences as grist for his songs, tapping into the emotions of a breakup or an overheard conversation between a bickering husband and wife to craft country-western tunes with his band Paper Street.

Late last year, the 34-year-old U.S. Navy supply officer sat down to write and the inspiration was the city of Temecula: its warm summer nights, flying high overhead in one of the area's hot air balloons and hitting it big at the Pechanga Resort & Casino.

"I tried to fit everything in," he said during a phone interview.

The end result was a song called "True Love Temecula," a tune that Paper Street performed at a recent city event at The Promenade mall.

Paper Street scored an invitation to perform at the event, the Mayor's Beach Ball Block Party, after Klinshaw performed the song for city officials at the Civic Center.

Explaining the song's genesis, Klinshaw said he has grown to love the Temecula area after moving here three years ago and he plans to be here for the foreseeable future.

"We've put down roots," he said.

The home he bought abuts the backyard of his longtime friend's place, and they have modified their shared fence for a stairwell, a feature that allows the buddies and their children to pop back and forth between the properties.

"We call it the compound," he said, laughing. "We're talking about putting in a big pool and a lazy river around the whole complex."

Before moving to Temecula, Klinshaw, lived what he called a nomadic life, spending time in various cities and traveling to far-flung locales during his 17-years-and-counting career in the Navy.

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TEMECULA: Life in Temecula celebrated in song

By: From staff reports | Eufaula Tribune Published: June 15, 2012 Updated: June 15, 2012 - 9:19 AM

Christopher Leon Jackson, 18, of 440 Riverside Drive Eufaula, was arrested June 7 on felony charges of theft second degree and breaking and entering a vehicle.

A 17-year-old juvenile were arrested Monday in connection with the case as well. The juvenile was charged with unlawful entry into a motor vehicle and theft of property second degree, felony charges.

Drug arrest

Brandon Beaty Hovey, 29, of 2578 Highway 431 Eufaula, was arrested June 7 on a felony charge of possession of controlled substance and a misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana second degree.

According to an incident report, during a traffic stop on Highway 431, officers discovered 28 Xanax ($140), 8 Soma ($20) and 15 Omeprazole (value unknown) in Hoveys vehicle. Officers also discovered two marijuana cigarettes ($20) in Hoveys vehicle.

Promoting prison contraband

A woman reportedly gave a container of used mens Degree deodorant to an employee at the Eufaula City Jail Wednesday.

Upon closer inspection of the container, the employee found a cell phone battery ($30) inside the container.

Theft

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Eufaula man, juvenile arrested on theft charges

MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 15, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Terminix, the world's largest pest control provider and a subsidiary of The ServiceMaster Company, has seen an increase in the prevalence of bedbugs in most states since releasing its first Most Bedbug-Infested Cities ranking in 2010. Just announced, Philadelphia won the dubious title of most bedbug-infested U.S. city this year.

With the growth in bedbug populations across the U.S., businesses continue to represent 70 percent of Terminix's bedbug customers versus 30 percent for residential customers.

" In areas with high levels of active bed bugs, it is not uncommon to see a 300 percent increase in reported incidences over levels reported just a few years ago," says Paul Curtis, director of service quality for Terminix. "And in areas where infestation is newly discovered, increases can be as high as 1500 percent over the previous year."

While some industries are more susceptible to infestation than others, bedbugs are transferred by people: the more customer and employee traffic a business has, the more the business is at risk.

"Discovery of suspected infestations or bedbug activity often comes via complaints from customers or staff," said Curtis. "It's important for managers to develop an action plan in advance with their staff."

Suggestions for Developing the Right Action Plan:

"Bedbugs continue to plague many U.S. cities and towns and they are able to hitchhike on any item and be carried into any home or building," said Stoy Hedges, an entomologist with Terminix. "While major metropolitan areas are most at risk, it is important to note that bedbugs have been spotted in cities and towns across the country."

Hedges cautions that bedbug infestations are not something that businesses should attempt handle on their own. A recent report in the Journal of Economic Entomology reported that over-the-counter foggers have been proven ineffective and are not recommended for use.

Terminix uses a process called RapidFreeze in which a patented nozzle transforms liquid carbon dioxide into a dry ice "snow" that effectively freezes and kills bedbugs in fewer than 60 seconds. The artic-cold air blast (-80*C) penetrates cracks and crevices. It can be used just about anywhere and does not damage electrical components.

About Terminix

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Bedbugs Could be Bad for Business

An Anaheim man suspected in the home-invasion robbery of a French Valley home in May was arrested Thursday after a freeway chase on Interstate 10, police said.

California Highway Patrol officers, assisting Riverside County Sheriff's Department investigators, used spike strips to stop the suspect's vehicle near Banning.

Donovan Marcus Cavin, 34, of Anaheim, was booked into Southwest Detention Center in French Valley on suspicion of home invasion robbery, evading arrest and conspiracy, jail records show. Bail was set at $150,000.

A suspected accomplice in the May 16 home invasion case, which involved two masked men tying up two female victims and robbing a French Valley home, was arrested shortly after the incident.

Investigators sought out the suspect arrested Thursday after getting a tip he was in Blythe, according to a news release written by Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Kevin McDonald.

On the way to Blythe around 7 p.m., investigators saw a car that matched the description of the suspect's car and a chase ensued, McDonald said.

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FRENCH VALLEY: Home-invasion suspect collared after I-10 chase

LOS ANGELES, May 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California is feeling the bite as arid weather pushes termites into homes. The experts at Antimite, which has served the southern California region since 1941, recommend homeowners watch for signs of an infestation during spring swarm season to prevent extensive damage later.

"Termites cause more than $5 billion in damage annually in the U.S.," said Michael Tejeda, director of marketing for Antimite. "Preventing an infestation or catching one early can save homeowners thousands of dollars."

It is estimated that one in 30 homes nationwide may be infested with termites, and termite damage is usually not covered by homeowners insurance.

Termites enter homes through tiny openings in the home's foundation. Smaller than a grain of sand, these pests can slip through cracks as thin as a few sheets of paper.

"Termites can remain in homes for years, unnoticed by homeowners," Tejeda said. "A professional inspection once a year will help limit prolonged damage."

Antimite offers these signs of infestation and prevention tips:

Signs of termite infestation

Termite prevention tips

To schedule a home inspection and for more information about termites, visit http://www.antimitepestcontrol.com.

About Antimite Pest ControlAntimite Pest Control has provided pest control services and protection against termites, rodents and other pests in the Southern California region since 1941. It operates 12 branch locations across California and Arizona, reaching more than 37,000 customers. Antimite and its Arizona affiliate, SOS Exterminating, were acquired by Terminix, the nation's largest pest control provider, in 2010 and continue to operate as stand-alone entities.

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Antimite Expects Heavy Termite Year