Getting to Know Termites
Highly destructive to property, the prevention and containment of termites is an important factor for consideration by any homeowner. At a high level the property owner should know the signs of infestation, be familiar with the various species and have a fairly good idea on the best termite control program for each type.
Know Your Enemy
Termites are winged ant-like insects that live in colonies. Considered as social insects, a colony may range from a few hundreds to several million members. Certain kinds require a moist environment and there are species that may or may not thrive in the soil. Of the various kinds of termites, the three types that are prevalent in the Southern California area are the Drywood, Dampwood and Subterranean species.
Sleeping with the Enemy
Are there undesired guests in your house? These invaders usually come in stealth so it is common for the damage to go unnoticed until it is in the advanced stages. As termites feed on wood and paper, the common areas affected are wooden walls and floors, as well as furniture. Thinning or darkening of the wood is an indication that the colony has started its work, while evidence of tunneling is proof that the pests have been at it for a while. These tunnels or mud holes may extend from the ground to the structure. Other indicators are unusual waves or slits on the wood.
Confronting the Enemy
As the adage says, prevention is better than cure. Soil and wood treatments should be part of the plan before construction. Once the structure is up, regular monthly inspections of frequently affected areas like windowsills, doorframes and similar wooden fixtures will keep unpleasant surprises at bay. Ifyou are purchasing an existing infrastructure, it is also prudent to include a termite inspection in the to-do list. However once the damage has been done, a termite problem is best left to the care of professionals.
Although there are do-it-yourself products in the market to address this type of problem, it is better to leave the colony untouched. Contact a pest control expert to handle the situation but be cautious though, of securing cheap providers as they may not provide quality or effective service. One effective and popular treatment is Termidor termite treatment
The problem management will depend on the species that have invaded your territory. Generally the ways to kill termites are liquid treatments that are sprayed, borate treatments that are applied, termite baits and fumigation. There should also be regular inspections afterwards either quarterly or bi-annually to keep the pests from coming back.