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Mud tubesUnlike ants, termites do not roam around on the soil surface or outside in the open. They'll either tunnel through the soil or into wood (or other material) or else travel inside pencil-size (or bigger )"sand tubes" that they build from dirt, wood contaminants and other substances. You'll find these tubes on foundation walls, floor joists or other parts of the home.

Split open the tubes to see if termites are still active. An empty tube doesn't necessarily mean that termites are gone; they may have simply abandoned this specific tunnel. Termites often rebuild damaged tubes, which is another indication of current action. 'Old' tubes are sterile and crumble easily, leaving behind"etching" on the surface which may be visible for decades (an indication that a home had termite activity at some time).

Tubes which are found on ceilings or on upper levels of a building may indicate you have an aboveground ("aerial") infestation, i.e., the termite colony actually resides in the building and the termites are traveling from the ground. Mud tubes constructed by an aboveground colony normally contain substances other than soil, e.g., wood and sheet rock or whatever the termites are feeding on.

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In such situations, a comprehensive inspection may necessitate elimination of siding or interior wallboards, etc.. More importantly for you, these aboveground infestations cannot be controlled using the usual soil treatment (see below) and therefore are typically excluded from a termite contract warranty. In these situations, finding and correcting the moisture problem is the very first step to eliminating the termites. .

We tend to think about termites as feeding/injuring wood only. Termites actually feed on almost anything that contains cellulose, the main component of wood, including wood paneling, paper products, cardboard boxes, art canvases, the paper covering of sheet rock, carpeting, etc.. While foraging and feeding, they may tunnel through non-cellulosic materials, such as plastic and foamboard.

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In fact, the amount of harm that termites cause Termite Control Process depends on many aspects. In areas with cold winter temperatures, termite activity (and feeding) often declines, but does not necessarily stop. If the termites are well-protected from colder temperatures (e.g., underneath a slab), then activity may continue year-round. From a practical standpoint, severe termite damage usually takes about 3-8 decades. .

There's absolutely no accurate method for determining the age of recently found damage. You need some reference point, i.e., some point in time when it was known that there was no harm to this particular wood. That is one reason why annual inspections (and keeping your records of these inspections) are important. .

NOTE: These inspections are not a guarantee that you do not have termites or damage in areas which are not insured or not readily seen, such as inside walls. However, the inspections can reveal conditions that might suggest that harm does exist and further investigation is needed.

If you've got a termite protection contract, contact the pest control company immediately and arrange for them to take a look at the issue. Should you not have a termite contract, telephone 2-3 (or more) companies and have every one inspect your home and provide you with the specifics of their findings and any recommendations for a plan of action to fix any termite conditions that they found.

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Termites do not cause significant damage in a brief period of time, so spending a couple of added days or even a few weeks will not make any actual difference in terms just how much damage occurs. .

Can there be damage That Needs to Be repaired or examined by a contractor or engineer before control steps are performed

Only spraying swarmers or the surface of accessible Recommended Site infested wood can kill the termites that you see now, but it does not stop the infestation nor does it shield your house from potential attacks . The most common sort of termite treatment involves a"trench and treat" where a liquid insecticide ("termiticide") is placed on the soil surrounding critical areas of your house.

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The soil is trenched 6" deep and about 4-6" wide. For houses with crawlspaces, the dirt along the interior foundation wall has to be treated within 4 ft of identified signs of termite activity. In some circumstances, the soil around supports (such as piers) underneath the home are also treated.

When implemented correctly, this treatment creates a continuous chemical barrier that should prevent termites from reaching the foundation and piers in your residence. . her explanation

Concrete slabs which attach to the house, for instance, a garage floor, or the slab of an earth-filled porch.