A termite infestation usually consists of a termite colony in the soil beneath your house as well as throughout the walls and wood work of your home. Winged termites, or swarmers, can commonly be mistaken for flying ants, but, unlike ants, termite swarmers have straight antennae, long, uniform bodies and equal wing lengths. They are attracted to light. If you see one of these swarmers coming from outside, it is not as much cause for alarm; but, if you see them coming through cracks in your wall or up from floor boards, it is very like you have an infestation.
A termite infestation in the home is a serious problem and cannot be resolved without the help of a professional. Termite colonies consist of thousands of members and burrow deep into the walls, boards and inner workings or your dwelling. An initial treatment consists of chemically treating all of these areas, as well as the soil around and under the building.
There are two general categories of termite treatment: liquids and baits. An effective treatment plan can consist of one or both of these.
A liquid treatment is a chemical pesticide that is nearly odorless and used to treat the soil around and underneath the home. These pesticides also treat the termites in the home since they cannot return to the soil and usually die.
Baits consist of paper, cardboard or other termite food and contain a poison which termites eat and share with nest mates, causing a gradual decline in termite numbers.
Although liquid treatment has been approved by some agencies for use around humans and pets, and declared safe for environment, those heavily concerned about the overall health of the soil, the family, and pets or livestock near the infected area, may choose to use only bait.
Those concerned about future problems with termites can avoid infestations simply by eliminating as many cases as possible of wood soil contact in and around the home. By storing fire wood on a concrete slab instead of directly on the ground, making sure there is not wood between the home foundation and the soil, and that wooden decks also have a concrete foundation, a home owner can seriously reduce the risk of termite infestation. It is also a great idea to remove rotting tree stumps from the yard or locations next to the dwelling. If you are concerned about termites, it is a bad idea to use wood chips for mulching. Try using leaves, pine needles or grass clippings instead.
Termite infestations are a serious problem that can cause much in damage to your home. If you already have a termite infestation, you will need to hire a professional exterminator to take care of the problem. Before and after infestations, you can protect your house by preventing, or correcting, the conditions that attract termites.
