Among the
more scary pests out there are termites. The scare is actually on the scale of
damage they can inflict on houses and other properties (that’s edible to them).
Ipswich termite control can sometimes be confusing. However, these days the war on termite infestation
is getting clearer and controlling them have become a bit easier. Termites and
treatments sometimes vary with locale.
Extent
At present
at random places in the world, termites cause billions of dollars in the U.S
alone. These insects primarily feed on wood but they can also do damage on
papers, books, insulations, including swimming pool liners.
Termites
can also injure living trees and shrubs, although they are a secondary invader
of woody plants already in decline. They infest on buildings at any time, but are
important during buying or selling a house because there is a provision of a
termite inspection and infestation report during the deal.
Signs
One of the
tell-tale signs of termite infestation is the presence of winged termites
emerging indoors. Swarmers are attracted to light and they are often seen in
windows and doors.
Often,
people confuse ants with termites because they swarm at around the same time
every year. Termites have straight antennae, a uniformly thickened waist, and
wings of equal size. Ants have elbowed antennae, constricted waists, and
forewings that are longer than the hind wings.
Swarms / mud tubes
Termite
swarms coming from tree stumps, woodpiles, etc. does not necessarily mean the
house is infested. However, if swarmers are emerging next to the foundation or
from abutting porches or patios, there's a good chance the home is infested as
well.
One other
sign of infestation is the presence of mud tubes from the fountain walls, to
support piers, sill plates, floor joists and in other places. These mud tubes
are typically about the diameter of a pencil, although they can be thicker.
These
colonies are full of worker termites that consume wood and similar numbers of soldiers
with jaws modified for defense.
Indications
There are
no indications of termite infestation. They can go undetected for years, hidden
behind walls, floor coverings, insulation and others. Termite feeding and
damage can even progress undetected in exposed wood because the outer surface
usually remains intact.
The
confirmation of termites requires keen eyes that can detect signs and other
evidence of their presence.
Treatment
Liquids
and baits are the two general categories of Ipswich termite control. Liquid termiticide
have been around for some time. The main aim for their use is to provide a
long-lasting “barrier” in the soil that prevents termites from entering and
infesting buildings.
Termites
already in the building die off since they cannot return to the soil for
supplemental moisture. Before, these liquid simply repel termites foraging in
the soil. Today, the current products are made lethal.
The baits
are cellulose-based food with a slow-acting substance lethal to termites.
Foraging termites eat the bait and share it with their nest mates, resulting in
a gradual decline in termite numbers.
On some
properties, baits may constitute the only form of treatment; on others, they
may be supplemented with liquid applications to areas where termites are
observed.
