Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Some Facts on Termites

 


Ipswich termite control

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.

No comments:

Post a Comment