Q. My next-door neighbor has termites and is going to have his house treated. I've been told that the termites will attack my house next. Should my house also be treated?
A. Termites move randomly through the soil searching for a source of food (wood). They do not have the ability to know exactly where your house is. So, if your next-door neighbor treats his home for termites, your house isn't automatically the termites' next lunch. No, your house does not need to be treated; but, if there are active termite infestations in your neighborhood, it is a good idea to have it inspected.
Q. Can pest control companies always find termite infestations and damage when they do an inspection?
A. No. Termite infestations are difficult to find if the termites travel vertically through hollow blocks, between the cracks in foundations and behind finished basement walls. Pest control companies cannot be held liable for damage and infest
Q. Can I do the termite treatment myself?
A. A person who wants to treat a dwelling for termites needs specialized equipment to do it correctly. This equipment is not readily available. Because of the specialized nature of termite treatments, it is not recommended that homeowners attempt treatment. They should work with a professional pest control company for this service.ations if they cannot gain access to infested areas. They can be held accountable, however, if they miss an obvious sign of termites.
Q. My house is less than one year old, why do I have termites?
A. Many houses have remained termite free for years while some new houses get termites in just a few weeks or months. If your house was pretreated and you have a termite infestation in less than 1 year, it is possible that during construction your home did not get a continuous termiticide barrier around and under it. Also, the termiticide barrier may have been disturbed in some way such as planting shrubs around the foundation or adding sidewalks or patios after the final grade treatment.
Q. How do I tell the difference between termites and ants?
A. Physical differences between the two groups are often subtle, but there are characters that easily distinguish the two groups. The main differences between ants and termites are ants have a constriction of the abdomen between the thorax and the rest of the abdomen while termites are broadly joined between the thorax and abdomen. In other words, ants have a narrow or pinched waist and termites do not. The front and hind wings of termites are approximately equal in size while the hind wings of ants are much smaller than their front wings. The antennae of ants are elbowed after the first two segments. Termite antennae are not elbowed but appear like a string of beads.
Q. How do I know if I actually have termites in my house?
A. Swarming termites inside your house are a sure sign. Window sills and door frames should be checked for damage. Mud tubes on walls, along baseboards or in cracks and crevices indicate termites. It may be necessary to open small holes in sheetrock to see termite tubes on wall studs.
Q. Why do the pest control companies have to drill inside my house?
A. The whole purpose in treating a house with liquid termiticides is to kill or repel the termites and to provide a continuous barrier around and under the entire structure. Drilling inside the house enables the pest management professional to create a more thorough barrier.