Termite Control: Three Signs of Possible Infestation

Termites cause billions of dollars in damage annually; finding early signs of infestation is a must in termite control for homeowners to prevent these high costs

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TermiteControl.net

Sep 30, 2010, 08:45 ET

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Termites cause billions of dollars worth of damage to structures every year. For homeowners to prevent these high costs, they must know the early signs of infestation to promote termite control. TermiteControl.net points homeowners to three main areas that can be examined to prevent a full scale infestation.

The most obvious is the discovery of winged termites inside one's house. The most common mistake that homeowners make is confusing winged termites with winged ants, which swarm at the same time of year. There are distinguishing features between the two. Termites have straight antennae, a uniform waist and equally sized wings. Winged ants have antennae that are bent in the middle, smaller waists and longer forewings than hind wings. If a homeowner is unsure, they should contact a termite control professional immediately. The confusion of the two can be an expensive mistake.

The second sign is that swarmers are attracted to light and can be found around windows and doors. If a homeowner finds swarms coming from tree stumps, wood piles or other outdoor areas around their house, they do not necessarily need to contact a professional. However, if there are any swarmers found in the basement, porch, deck or anywhere else inside or on the outside structure, a termite control professional should be contacted right away.

The third way to detect a termite control issue is by seeing earthen tubes approximately the width o a pencil extending over the foundation walls, floor joists or sill plates. These tubes are built by colonies for protection during travels between colonies underground and inside a house. If the tube is broken open and termites are found, there is an infestation. Abandoned tubes may mean there is no present issue or that the infestation has spread to another area of the home. Either way, this is when a professional should be contacted.

Solving this problem is complex and difficult with extreme economic costs. When termite damage signs are noticed, the immediate assistance of a professional is essential. Professionals access hard to find entry points by using specialized equipment, such as masonry drills and soil treatment rods. Generally, a termite control problem must be eradicated and controlled with hundreds of gallons of liquid pesticide that must be injected along a home's foundation, beneath concrete slabs or in foundation walls. Finding a qualified professional is a must. When homeowners search for a contractor, they should ensure the contractor is licensed by the Department of Agriculture or their state agency responsible for regulating the industry locally and find out about warranties to maintain pest control.

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If you suspect a termite infestation, be sure to contact a termite control professional immediately. The financial cost of waiting could be devastating. Visit http://www.TermiteControl.net to request pest control estimates from multiple qualified and licensed termite control specialists.