termite Archives | Topbest Pest Control Services

September 10, 2022September 7, 2022

Deciding Between DIY Vs Professional Termite Treatment

What is the difference between DIY vs professional termite treatment?

Professional termite treatment are well-versed with treatment methods
DIY Methods are time-consuming
Professional treatment is more effective
DIY Termite treatment costs more in the long run

Termites are one of the household pests that need to be eliminated right away. Leaving many people wondering if they should do DIY vs professional termite treatment. This kind of infestation needs to be addressed quickly. Here are some effects termites can do on your home:

Damage the structural wood of your home
Damage wooden furniture
Infest wooden doors and windows

These pests are able to break down the cellulose fibers found in wood, paper, and plants. That’s why you can find them in many wooden structures at home. If you don’t see the signs of infestation, it can lead to serious issues for your home and family.

There are many treatments available for termite control. Termiticides, baits, and traps are available in many stores for DIY treatments, but there are also professional termite control services that ensure cost-effective and long lasting solutions. This article explores the differences between DIY vs professional termite treatment.

Professionals are well-versed with treatment methods

Professional termite treatments have the upper hand when it comes to effectiveness. They are able to identify the problem, its species, and the proper treatment plan.

Unlike regular insects, termites do not stay in plain sight. They are usually near the wood they are infesting or even underground.

To the normal eye, termites may be mistaken for flying ants. So you may have looked past some already at home. Professionals can easily tell the difference between the two. They can even identify whether the termite is a drywood or subterranean type.

Those who take on DIY treatment may be aware of drywood termites since these are found above ground and inhabit the wood they destroy. However, you might miss out on the subterranean type. These are termites that seek out moisture, so they are usually located underground.

Whatever the kind of termite, professional services know the proper treatment method since they are well versed in the pests’ habits.

DIY Methods are time-consuming

There are dozens of tutorial videos and manuals available for DIY treatment, but it can end up being an endless cycle. You may find yourself constantly trying different kinds of techniques when one fails. It may end up in hours spent digging trenches, spraying, and crawling without really understanding why you’re doing it.

Professionals, on the other hand, are trained to identify the problem at hand. They are able to assess and locate the termites’ nesting area easily, too. From there, they’ll offer you the best treatment method for the situation.

When you hire a professional termite treatment service, you can end up saving a lot of time. You’ll have more time to do other activities instead of worrying about buying new treatment solutions or locating a nesting area on your own.

Professional treatment is more effective

Despite being available in hardware stores, DIY termite treatment is not as effective. These are not the same as professional-grade products. The DIY treatments available are merely a form of repellant. This means that they are designed to deter pests instead of killing them. This makes DIY treatments an inefficient method since it does not affect the termite and its colony.

Termiticides used by professionals are undetectable by termites. It means that the pests won’t know that they have been walking through treated areas. In the span of one to two weeks, the termites would have passed the termiticide into their nest and the colony. This effectively kills the entire colony.

When it comes to the treatment solution, professionals end up using a lot more compared to the DIY treatments available. Treating multiple areas in your home may have services using 60 liters of product, sometimes more, compared to store-bought termiticide which only comes in one to two-liter bottles.

DIY Termite treatment costs more in the long run

It may seem like a DIY termite treatment is the cheaper option. There are many affordable sprays, kits, and baits available in your hardware store. However, purchasing these products multiple times may end up costing more than a professional termite treatment service.

On top of that, the damage that termites do to your home also adds to the expenses. You may have discovered the termites too late that the damage to your wooden surfaces has become severe and in need of immediate repair.

Key Takeaway

When deciding between DIY vs professional termite treatment, it’s best to leave it to the experts. They are well-versed in different methods that get to the root of your termite infestation in order to exterminate the nest and the entire colony.

Topbest pest control specialists can provide you with long-term treatment for termites, bedbugs, and rodents. We offer a free pest consultation, so don’t hesitate to contact us today.

May 6, 2022May 12, 2022

Termite Control Tips For Office

What are some useful termite control tips for the office?

Inspect the office each year
Be aware of the signs of an infestation
Schedule treatment immediately
Focus on prevention strategies

Termites are one of the most bothersome and destructive pests you will encounter. They feed on dead and decaying plant matter, such as wood, paper products, and even cotton fibers. Because of this, they are capable of structural damage, causing problems in your office such as swollen floors, holes in dry wood, and many more. For this reason, it’s beneficial to understand how to prevent and control them. Below is some useful information about termite control for the office. Read on!

Inspect The Office Each Year

Schedule an annual termite inspection so you can see the first signs of an infestation in your office. This way, you can solve the problem before more damage happens to your building. This task is best left to a professional pest control group because they are experienced in dealing with and spotting termite problems.

After the first inspection, make sure that you continue having your property inspected every year. Remember that termites can destroy building materials, so being proactive can help you save time and money from an infestation.

Be Aware Of The Signs Of An Infestation

For the rest of the year, keep an eye out for signs of a termite infestation. Recognizing a problem before it gets out of hand can save you money in repairs. Here are some signs to look out for:

Termite Droppings: These droppings are wood-colored and pellet-shaped. You might confuse them for wood dust or shavings.

Mud Tubes: These tubes are used by subterranean termites to travel between their food source and nest. These tubes are usually about the size of a pencil and can be found near termite nests, wooden structures, and foundations.

Termite Swarmers: Termite swarmers are reproductive termites that have wings. They fly away to establish new colonies. If you see them, then you know that termites are nearby,

Structural Damage: Termites leave behind small pinholes where they have eaten through. Some other signs of termites are bubbling paint, peeling wallpaper, buckling wood, dents, and sunken areas.

Schedule Treatment Immediately

There are various DIY treatments for termites. For instance, essential oils such as orange oil, garlic oil, and neem oil are considered toxic to termites. Boric acid, a cleaning product, is also harmful to their nervous systems and bodies. Another solution is diatomaceous earth, which is a powdery substance that can dehydrate termites.

But if you’re looking at a severe termite infestation, it’s more beneficial to call a pest control team to solve the problem for you. They can address the root of the problem and help you prevent similar issues in the future. Don’t delay this any further as termites can be dangerous when neglected. Your office is very important for your business, so make sure to protect it from pests.

Focus On Prevention Strategies

If you don’t want a termite infestation to start in your office, be very proactive in implementing prevention strategies. Here are some of the things you can do:

Remove food sources: Termites feed on cellulose, which is found in paper, wood, and other plant materials. So make sure to limit their access to cellulose. You can remove dead trees, stumps, and roots around the office building.

Trim The Landscape: Shrubs and plants attract termites too, so have regular landscaping services to trim the landscape.

Limit moisture and water: Termites are also attracted to moist environments, so make sure to keep your office building dry. Provide enough ventilation to attics, basements, and crawl spaces. Remove standing water and fix water leaks.

Use Repellent Termiticide: Protect wood from termites by using repellent termiticides.

Use Treated Wood: Use treated wood to construct or renovate offices. You can also pretreat soil before an office is built.

Key Takeaway

Termites may be small, but they can cause structural problems for your office. Protect your investment and schedule inspections once a year to detect early signs of an infestation. This way, you can have the problem treated immediately!

If you need professional termite control for your office, you can send us a message here at Topbest! Our inspectors and technicians are trained and experienced in handling a termite problem. We only use environmentally-friendly chemicals to treat pests. Aside from termites, we can also handle other pests — such as cockroaches, mosquitoes, rodents, and many more.

April 27, 2022August 2, 2022

How Fast Can Termites Destroy A House?

How fast can termites destroy a house?

Possible factors
How Fast Can Termites Destroy A House?

We all know how badly termites can damage a house. A severe termite infestation can cause damage to important floorboards and wooden foundations, making the house unsafe to live in. In such cases you can consult Lawyer Marco D. Flores to claim damages for damage related to natural disaster. It can also significantly drop the value of the home. That’s why homeowners need to take termite infestations seriously. But how long do you have when you first see signs of infestations? How fast can termites destroy a house?

There are plenty of factors to consider to answer that question. If a termite was alone, it will take approximately 3,144 years for it to eat a 1,000-square-foot house. But these numbers don’t mean much as termites live in colonies. With all their numbers and the rate at which they reproduce, the real speed at which they can finish off a house is faster than that.

Termites like to eat, and when they find something wooden that they can feast on, they will. Every year, they cause billions of dollars in property damage worldwide. If you want to learn more about the damage termites can cause to a house, keep reading!

Possible Factors

There are multiple factors to consider when thinking about how fast termites can cause damage to a home. Here are a few of them:

Environmental Factors

Termites like to live and feed in certain conditions. The environment plays a large part in termite infestations. If the conditions are ideal, termites grow, reproduce, and thrive at a rapid rate. Most termite species like hot, humid, and moist environments. This is the reason why they are widespread in tropical countries. If your home is somewhere hot and humid, and you find plenty of moisture around the house like puddles or water leaks, then there’s a good chance that a termite colony will make their home there.

Age of the colony

The age of the colony can also be a determinant of its population. Relatively young colonies will have fewer workers than older colonies. Because of this, an older colony would eat through the wood in your house much faster. A young colony could have over 100,000 workers while older colonies would have 2 million members at the ready. Some colonies could even reach populations of over 15,000,000. An added concern would be if they started their colony in your home and grew older there. In that case, the damage may already be severe.

Number of colonies

Sometimes, houses can be infested by multiple colonies. As you can expect, the speed of their damage would be doubled. The more colonies are sharing the space with you, the faster the woodwork in your house will be eaten through.

House material

The materials that your house was built with can affect the speed that termites move in. If your house was built primarily of wood, with no chemical treatments or any preventative measures, then a termite colony would quickly eat through it. If you employed some prevention measures, and if your house also has materials that termites don’t like, their progress would be much slower.

How Fast Can Termites Destroy A House?

Under the right conditions, termites will cause much damage to your house’s work. Some species of subterranean termites will have a population of 60,000 when they reach maturity. On average, these termites can eat up to 1/5 of an ounce of wood in a day. In 6 months, they could finish one foot of a 2×4 pine board. When they reach 300,000 workers, they could eat through one cubic foot of wood in a year.

If a colony reaches up to 2 million workers, you would already find significant damage to your home in only the first few months. And in only a year or two, your house can be totally destroyed. For comparison, a colony with 3 million workers can go through one foot of a 2×4 pine board in just 24 hours.

Key Takeaway

Determining how fast termites can destroy a house is difficult as it is too dependent on many factors. But having even some idea about it would still be a good advantage. After all, there’s no real way for you to know a colony’s age or population on your own.

For this matter, prevention is better than cure. Instead of having to deal with them, try to keep your house termite-proof. If you already have a problem at hand, then the best course of action is to call the professionals. We at Topbest are the leading pest control services provider in the Philippines. If you need help with termites, just contact us for a FREE consultation!

January 25, 2021

How to Spot Termite Damage Vs Water Damage

Bamboo wall construction with termites damage

How do you spot termite damage vs water damage?

Search for signs of pooling water
Understand how wood rot happens
Look for the presence of termite nests
Spot discarded termite wings

There are times where you can mistake an infestation for wood rot. There are similarities when it comes to appearance, but it is vital to conduct further investigations to determine the real cause. After all, applying the wrong treatment can cause you thousands, just to redo it all over again. To help you differentiate termite damage vs water damage, continue on reading.

Search for Signs of Pooling Water

One of the common causes of water damage is unchecked leaks coming from supply lines and drainage. These piping are normally located in hidden areas, so searching for signs of pooling water may help.

While this may indicate that you have water damage in your homes, an infestation is still possible. After all, termites—especially the subterranean and damp wood kinds—are attracted to moisture. Dry wood types require fewer liquids, getting it from the wood it consumes.

To rule out a termite infestation, you can also look for other signs of their presence such as wood damage and underground mud tubes.

Understand The Process of Wood Rot

At first glance, termite and water damage will look the same—especially to the untrained eyes. But one of the easiest ways to spot the difference is by looking at the 3 signs of common wood rot: Dry rot, white rot, and soft rot. Before this occurs, moisture must first be present in the material, which attracts fungi to proliferate and destroy the wood.

In dry rot, cubical forms are formed due to the expanding and shrinking of wood. This happens as fungi attack the cellulose, which can leave an “alligatoring” pattern similar to the animal. This can happen rapidly in environments between 19 to 32 ° C.

In the same temperature conditions as dry rot, wood can also be affected by white-rot fungi. The damage happens to the lignans, a component of wood, which leaves behind white or yellowish cellulose exposed. Lastly, soft rot has higher chances of happening to trees, leaving behind a honeycomb appearance. But this only happens between -17 and 43 degrees Celsius.

Look for the Presence of Termite Nests

In a termite infestation, the surface of the wood may look normal. But underneath is a hollow and heavily damaged material. Subterranean types consume softer grains like springwood, leaving behind darker and harder summerwood. This creates a pattern of honeycomb, which may confuse you with soft rot. Dry wood termites, on the other hand, harvest large passages as their nests.

To further determine the deterioration associated with this pest, it is useful to look for the presence of mud tunnels. While dry wood termites reside in the wood in which they are consuming, subterranean types create mud tubes underground to connect their nest to areas of feeding.

Mud tubes are made with a combination of wood, soil, and termite saliva. They are usually a quarter of an inch to an inch in size when used by these insects as exploratory and working tubes. Some may be empty and abandoned, but this will signal their presence in other parts of your home.

Spot Discarded Termite Wings

Aside from looking at the appearance of wood and nests, discarded termite wings will help you conclude that an infestation is happening. This is the most obvious and easiest way to spot their presence in your home.

Winged termites are the only ones in their colony capable of reproducing. They fly to mate with members of other colonies and shed their wings after the process. Then they search for a new area to propagate—which could be your home.

While termites like to hide, their presence can be detected if you find discarded wings nearby.

Key Takeaway

When looking at termite damage vs water damage, it is useful to differentiate between the two by searching for pooling water, looking at the appearance of the deteriorating wood, finding nests, and spotting discarded wings.

What can make it worse is that it is also possible for both to happen in one place. To help you determine the cause of your problem, you can hire a professional pest control service to inspect your building. If you find signs of infestation, Topbest can help you get rid of termites for good.

December 7, 2020

What Chemicals Are Used On Termites?

What chemicals are used on termites?

Fipronil
Imidacloprid
Hexaflumuron

Termites are a source of stress for many people. They work as a colony and can burrow in hidden areas in your home. Once you discover them it is usually too late. This is because they like to eat wood from the inside out and make these their nests. Once you discover holes in wood or traces of these pests, your home is probably already infested. Eradicating and preventing them can be hard. But to give you an idea we listed down the chemicals that are used on termites. Read on!

Fipronil

Fipronil is a chemical that is commonly used as an insecticide to many types of pests such as ants, cockroaches, and fleas. In termite treatment, it is used to eradicate them or prevent an infestation in the future. It works by affecting the central nervous system of the termites, which causes their muscles and nerves to malfunction and leads to death. Fipronil can still be present in the excrement of termites, which can affect other members of the colony.

In termite treatment, fipronil powder can be used on the nests. Holes can be drilled on trees, walls, power posts, or where termites are found to be settling. The powder is applied, and holes are sealed closed.

When you can’t find the nests, you can use another method wherein fipronil gels or powder can be applied to cellulose-based baits such as timber and cardboard. Termites are attracted to these materials and take them back to their nests.

In termite prevention, liquid Fipronil is diluted in water and applied to key areas as a protective barrier. It can be sprayed on the soil, or around the house.

When applying this chemical, it is important to use personal protective equipment because it can irritate the skin and the eyes. Take note that it can also harm the environment, such as bees, birds, and aquatic life.

Imidacloprid

Imidacloprid is a nicotine-based chemical that is used to eradicate termites. If you’re not aware, nicotine can also be found in tobacco. Just like fipronil, it is also able to affect other insects and pests.

It works similarly to fipronil because it affects the central nervous system, but it is more specific. The nicotine found in the chemical affects the brain of the termites continuously instead of disintegrating in the immune system.

This chemical can be applied in low concentrations because it is highly effective on insects. The slow-acting chemical can affect a few termites and they can pass the toxins to the others. If a queen is affected by this, the whole colony will die.

Because this is a nicotine-based-chemical that affects insects, it is of moderate toxicity to other animals and humans. Although like fipronil, it has severe effects on bees, which can cause the death of a whole colony.

Hexaflumuron

Hexaflumuron works in a different way than the above-mentioned chemicals. It is a formulation that inhibits the growth of termites, preventing them from forming an exoskeleton.

If immature worker termites ingest this chemical, they die prematurely because of its growth inhibitory effect. It leaves the older worker termites to forage themselves, and when they die, no one will replace them.

Instead of applying on homes or termites themselves, hexaflumuron is used in baiting treatment above or under the ground. Termites, like cockroaches, have an internal GPS system, where they leave a trail for other termites to find. A few termites who visit this bait will lead more from the nest. They will carry the chemical with them and affect the others. From then on, the whole colony will slowly die.

Because hexaflumuron is used in baits that are only accessible by termites, exposure of other insects and animals is not likely. It is considered a low-risk chemical. It was also tested on animals and it was found out that it didn’t irritate the eyes and is of low toxicity.

Key Takeaway

The common chemicals that are used on termites are fipronil, imidacloprid, and hexaflumuron. Some are put on nests, or directly to the termites on sight. If the nest cannot be found, baiting techniques could also be used to attract these pests. Fipronil is fast-acting compared to the other two, which slowly kills the termites and the whole colony.

If you’re experiencing a problem with termites, it is best to leave the use of chemicals to the professionals. They are trained to look for termite homes, to handle harmful substances, and determine the best course of action depending on your case. If you want a free consultation, you can click here.

You can also chat with us by clicking the ‘Online’ bar on the lower right side of the screen.

June 17, 2019June 18, 2019

The Biggest Termite Queen

What do you need to know about the biggest termite queen?

Macrotermes Bellicosus
Size
Lifespan
Interesting Facts

Termite control aims to get rid of termites of all sizes; queens and drones alike. But did you know that the claim of the biggest termite queen belongs with the Macrotermes Bellicosus? This termite queen is probably the most colossal in terms of sheer size. No other termite species comes close to the size of this queen. There are various reasons why this queen requires such gargantuan anatomy. Today we’ll be exploring the grandeur of this queen’s robust body and its uniqueness from other termite species.

Macrotermes Bellicosus

Out of the 2000 species of termites across the planet, the Macrotermes Bellicosus is widely found all over Africa and South East Asia. It’s is known as the termite species with the largest, most complex, and most advanced colony. The size of one colony can reach up to a hundred thousand termites over time. Fun fact: the Macrotermes Bellicosus is also sometimes referred to as “white ants,” but they’re not related to ants at all.

This species of termite builds their nests below ground under many layers of rich soil, forming a unique tower to house the entire colony. The nest is constructed using a mixture of their saliva and clay. Worker termites first burrow themselves under the subsoil in order to deliver sand grains and clay that is moistened with saliva. Workers thrive during the wet season as it’s much easier to build the nest when it’s raining.

The hive of the colony is usually located just above ground level. The mound includes various passages which lead to other parts of the nest. Using this complex series of passages within the hive, the Macrotermes Bellicosus termites can reach their food storage even up to 100 meters away. The temperature of the colony remains at 30 degrees Celsius with a steady humidity of 90 percent. The high humidity helps keep the nest intact. This allows the termites to survive within the independent internal temperature of the nest.

Size

Source: Wikimedia Commons

The average Macrotermes Bellicosus queen can grow up to 6 inches in total. Some speculate that their enormous size may be a contributor to her unprecedented fertility. The queen can lay about 20,000 eggs and can have an impressive lifespan of 20 years. Even if the workers have a similar genome as the queen, worker termites can only live for a few months.

Lifespan

Source: Wikimedia Commons

The lifespan of most termites is usually short. The assumption is that if the termite queen is fertile, they don’t tend to live long. However, the opposite is true for the fertile Macrotermes Bellicosus queen. She can live up to 20 years and produce eggs during that time, defying the pattern of typical termites.

Interesting Facts

Genome

Macrotermes Bellicosus termites are clearly visible to the human eye. There is a distinct, slightly audible crunching sound once you step on the termite. The worker termites of this species are ⅛ – ¼ inches long on average. Even if they are large, this doesn’t mean they have a long lifespan. This is due to the jumping gene that can turn off specific genes such as the long lifespan. This is a mutation in the termite body. Regardless of the replication of the genome, it establishes itself in a different place, thus causing defects and deactivating certain genes.

Food

Because termites are known to eat dead vegetation, their tunnels can potentially weaken plant stems. This can collapse old trees or even the structure of your home.

In order to get the proper diet, termites need the cellulose of the wood. Many workers tend to burrow themselves within dead wood. The problem with the termite body is that they have no digestive enzymes present that can break down the cellulose provided by wood.

Macrotermes Bellicosus requires indirect methods of digesting their food. They would need the power of the single-celled protozoa to digest the cellulose. While the cellulose is being digested by the protozoa, the termites then use this opportunity to turn the single cell organism into a viable food source.

The Macrotermes Bellicosus has no present intestinal protozoa so they must construct fungus combs in the nest to properly digest the cellulose. These fungus combs are covered in sponge-like masses of wood pulp derived from feces that are covered with mycelium of fungal hyphae and sporangia. The fungus then digests the wood, but just enough so that the termites can enjoy their nutrition.

Metamorphosis

Did you know that termites go through incomplete metamorphosis? Most termites in the colony either stay as nymphs, workers, or soldiers. However, just because of the rainy season, nymphs undergo their metamorphosis. Here, they finally develop reproductive organs and wings. Once they mature, they emerge during the night and fly off to the surrounding areas. Males and females also start to mate to create a new colony. During these activities, the queen once again lays thousands of new eggs.

Key Takeaway

Termite control is amazing. Many of us should be glad that the population of these giant termites can be regulated. But it’s always a good thing to learn more about the insects one might encounter in the Philippines. The biggest termite queen is an interesting sight to behold.

December 11, 2018January 2, 2019

Dangers of Pest Contamination in Food

What are the dangers of pest contamination in food?

Transmission of pathogens
Rapid bacteria multiplication
Cross-contamination
Exposure to parasites
Stored food contamination

Pest contamination in food is not only well-known in the food manufacturing industry but in regular households as well. Luckily, some pest control services offer free pest inspections to help prevent these hazardous instances that can endanger the health of individuals from happening. Pest contamination is bad enough, but when it affects your food supply, then it will pose many health risks that you could’ve avoided altogether. Together with a pest control expert, you should push efforts to prevent the dangers of pest contamination in food below.

Transmission of Pathogens

It is common knowledge that pests can be the dirtiest and deadliest creatures in the world. They are responsible for many of the well-known diseases which have ultimately caused the demise of countless people. For instance, just a small amount of their droppings or urine can cause diseases and even damage your home. When pests are the culprit of food contamination, the frequency with which they can affect people in your home increases astoundingly!

The transmission of pathogens can happen through one of three ways: bacterial contamination, viral contamination, or parasite contamination. This can happen when the saliva, droppings, blood, or fecal matter of a pest is transferred into your food. The transmission of pathogens can cause hundreds or even thousands of cases of food poisoning worldwide which is why it is essential to maintain the best food-handling precautions as recommended by pest control services.

Rapid Bacteria Multiplication

Bacteria can multiply very quickly, especially in a warm, damp environment like containers full of food. Pests tend to defecate even while eating food but make no mistake, they do this no matter the food that they are eating. Once consumed, these droppings can be responsible for dangerous and often fatal diseases such as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), Salmonella enterica infection, Listeriosis caused by Listeria monocytogenes, etc. Bacteria can spread pretty quickly, sometimes in a matter of minutes.

The velocity of their multiplication might seem exaggerated, but it really can multiply its size every 20 to 30 minutes. This is bad news especially if your food is constantly ridden by pests. The health risk that this poses for humans can be astounding because this multiplication will eventually lead to food poisoning. Pests can contaminate and destroy food worldwide that is enough to feed up to over 200 million people!

Cross-Contamination

Pests that contaminate food can be the cause of cross-contamination – otherwise known as the passing of bacteria from a contaminated source to an uncontaminated one. This means that even if you are confident that your food was not exposed to the risk of contamination, it is still possible that you can contract diseases from it due to cross-contamination caused by pests.

Although there are cases where cross-contamination can be caused by improper food handling, pest contamination can also be the reason for this. An example of cross-contamination is when an uncontaminated piece of meat is placed in contact with a pest-contaminated one.

Exposure to Parasites

This type of hazard can be attributed to the presence of cockroaches and other insect pests. Cockroaches can spread at least 33 kinds of bacteria and 6 kinds of parasitic worms. When transferred to food, they can expose humans to diseases such as Escherichia coli and Shigellosis.

Pests can carry germs and bacteria which can easily be transferred to food, food surfaces, and other food processing equipment. Human pathogens such as Salmonella enterica, Vibrio cholerae, and Staphylococcus aureus are all harmful specimens carried by pests which causes dangerous diseases in humans.

Stored Food Contamination

The pests involved in this occurrence can range from flour beetles, weevils, cockroaches, and sometimes even termites. Food contamination in this category happens when pests leave body parts and cast skins or wings within the food that is stored. Also, another major concern about these pest body parts is that they can be ground up along with food products like grains and cereals making them almost undetectable, but just as lethal to humans.

Key Takeaway

Making the effort to prevent pest contamination in food should be done as early as the first pest detection that you have experienced. With that, a free pest infection will be delivered to you by a reliable pest control provider near you so it would do you good to contact one today.

October 29, 2018October 29, 2018

A Look at the Anatomy of a Termite

What should you know about the anatomy of a termite?

Mandible
Waist
Antennae
Wing Length

Oftentimes, pest control services need to be present before you are made aware that termites are riddling your home. If not for free pest inspections, termites will wander around your house unscathed and without the worry that you will deal with them. This is why it pays to know what termites look like so you can instantly deal with them at the first sign of their appearance.

Knowing the anatomy of the termite is a proactive way to prevent termite damage and ultimately, eradicate their presence in your home. It may sound too extensive to study about this particular topic, but when it brings significant advantages for you and your property, then you will know that you have made the right choice.

Termites can be extremely hazardous and invasive which is why you should know better and call pest control services to eliminate them as soon as possible. If you would like a closer look at the termite then this article is for you.

Mandible

The mandible is another term for the termites’ powerful jaws — the primary reason why they are so destructive. These little mandibles of theirs can be used to strike at wood, cellulose, clothes, structural beams, foundations, books, and furniture. It is said that when they feed on their chosen food, they will perform a rapid, ballistic, and destructive movement – the reason for the damage done to your home and possessions. In addition, they use their head and mandibles to defend the colony against other invaders, capture prey, and evade predators. If they can do that to other insects, just imagine the damage they can do to your home.

Waist

Oftentimes, ants and termites are mistaken for each other. There is a way to avoid this, and it is to look at the termites’ waists. Termites usually have straight waists while ants are characterized to have pinched ones. This will come in handy if you are in doubt whether that pesky insect in your home is a termite or an ant.

Identifying termites can be hard, especially if you do not know what they look like. It becomes even more confusing when you learn of the three main castes of termites. The first and largest caste is the worker termite which acts as the provider for the colony. Second, the soldier termite protects the colony and is equipped with a large set of mandibles just for this task. Lastly, the reproductive caste may be one of the most important in the category because they are responsible for creating new termite colonies.

One thing is for sure, every single one of these insects have straight waists which you can identify if you take a closer look.

Antennae

It is said that termite antennae look like a string of beads; coincidentally, this is also one of their similarities with ants. Termite antennae serve a special function by helping them navigate their way through the area by detecting odors in the environment. The antenna shape is the common culprit among people who mistake termites for ants. However, one thing that you have to keep in mind is that termites have straight antennae while ants have bent antennae. The elbowed antennae shape in ants is what keeps their appearance separate from the termites’. The next time you see an insect with a straight antenna crawling along your walls, you should contact a free pest inspection real quick.

Wing Length

Now this is a tricky way to identify termites because their wings are too tiny and are sometimes difficult to see. However, you should always remember that termite wings have the same length while ants which have wings that are of different lengths. Ants’ front wings tend to be longer than their hind wings, which is not the case with termites. This is an important category of the anatomy of termites because termites tend to shed off their wings in the area that they are in which is an explicit sign that termites have entered your home. If you find insect wings strewn about in your home, then you should take this as a sign to call the nearest pest control provider to deal with the situation.

Key Takeaway

There you have it, these are the parts of the termite that you should pay attention to. If you find yourself agreeing with particular points in this list then you should pay attention and deal with the termite situation as soon as possible. Protect your home against termites at all costs, contact our team here!

October 17, 2018

Go Termite Control: The 6 Signs of a Termite Infestation

What are some signs of a termite infestation?

Loud clicking sounds
Discarded wings
White ants
Hollow timber
Wood tunnels
Termite droppings

Termite control consists of many techniques and strategies to get rid of these nasty home invaders. In order to ensure that you have a successful termite treatment, you have to look for signs of termite infestation so the pest control experts can assess the situation and perform measures as they see fit. More often than not, homeowners are only made aware of the presence of termites after the damage has been done and they see their things destroyed by termites, or worse, their homes.

Do not be too relaxed because you never know when a termite invasion might strike. A termite’s presence in your home can be the reason behind the loss of investments and property damage. If you suspect that termites have found their way inside your home, but you are not exactly sure where they are attacking from, check out these 6 signs of a termite infestation so the termite control professionals can apply the proper termite treatment to protect your home.

Loud Clicking Sounds

Termites are characterized as “head bangers” because they bang their heads against wood. In addition, termite soldiers shake their bodies to signal danger to other termites that their colony might get disturbed. So if you hear loud clicking sounds in your home, then chances are, termites are probably there.

You should also know that termites are noisy eaters so if you can hear munching on wood then chances are, the termites are having a little snack. Do not ignore these loud clicking sounds because you may still be able to prevent termites from dealing much damage to your home by identifying this first sign of trouble.

Discarded Wings

Flying termites are called swarmers because they tend to be persistent visitors to your home. Male and female termites fly in order to find a mate and create a new colony. Sometimes, termites shed their wings after finding their respective mates, and they can all be found in different parts of your home. Avoid sweeping these wings away and thinking nothing of it because if you do not contact pest control services right away, then the termites will multiply, making it more difficult to get rid of them.

White Ants

Those translucent, white insects you see are not ants, they’re termites! Most people make the mistake of ignoring termite infestations because they confuse them with harmless ants. Yes, both ants and termites have similar body shapes and size, but they are entirely different. You can see these differences in their antennas, abdomen, and wings. Termites’ antennae are straight rather than the elbowed antennae of ants. Their thorax is thicker whereas this section of an ant’s body is narrow. There is no such thing as a white ant. Do not make this common mistake if you do not want to have a full-blown termite problem on your hands.

Hollowed-out Timber

Termites are passionate wood eaters. When termites feed, they can leave a thin veneer on the surface while they consume wood from the inside out. Survey the area where you think termites prefer and try knocking or tapping on the wood. You will know that it has experienced termite damage if the wood sounds hollow or papery. This is because the timber has been eaten severely.

Wood Tunnels

Wood tunnels are trademarks of the termites. Also called ‘galleries’, this is a surefire sign that termites have succeeded in entering your home. What’s tricky about this sign of a termite infestation is that you cannot see wood tunnels right away. You have to go near and around your home to check broken timber so you will know about their presence. With the help of your pest control experts, finding out the visible signs of termite infestation will all be a breeze. Use this opportunity to ask your exterminator about the proper practice in dealing with termites so you will be knowledgeable as well.

Termite Droppings

Termite droppings are key indicators that termites have invaded your home. You can find out what type of termite is in your home through their droppings. Termite droppings, or frass, in particular, are excreted by dry wood termites. You have to remember that subterranean termites use their feces to build their tunnels while dry wood termites just push their frass out of small holes near the entrances of their nest. You will know that you have stumbled upon termite droppings if you see small black marks and a dark powdery substance in the infestation area.

Key Takeaway

A professional termite inspection is the solution to all your termite problems. Looking for signs of termites around your home would be easier if you have a reliable team backing you up in this pursuit. Ensure that every termite activity is identified and properly destroyed once and for all. Keep in mind that you should also ask for recommendations from the termite experts regarding ways to maintain a termite-free home.

October 3, 2018October 12, 2018

Bye Bye Pests: Termite Control Team at Its Best

What makes a great termite control team?

Adequate and thorough inspection
Sufficient knowledge about types of termites
Efficient colony control
Executing proven pest control techniques
Uncompromised treatment control and efficiency

It’s easy to hire a team for termite control. However, there are some who would claim they are experts in termite treatment, but fail to deliver on their promise. With that said, you should know the practices that can be greatly attributed to termite control that’s at its best. This way, you will know if you have made the right decision to employ these pest control professionals in getting rid of pesky termites from your home. If your team displays any of the signs listed below, then you should be confident that they will get the job done! This article will be your guide in recognizing termite treatment at its best quality!

Adequate and Thorough Inspection

Red flags should be raised if the team you hired just brushes off the inspection and brags about how fast they can do the job. Chances are, they’re just going to do the inspection in a quick, careless manner without finding out the root of the infestation problem. You will know that you have found great pest control if they provide an adequate explanation for their methods and do a thorough inspection of the infested area — even areas that are seemingly devoid of termites. Just know that a team of experts should know the symptoms commonly associated with a termite problem — the first step in dealing with them is with a thorough inspection of your home.

Do not be content with your termite control team just following mud tubes on the wall or just cleaning off discarded termite wings. If they do not find the root cause of the infestation, then you will just be burdened by it later on. Check to see if your team of pest professionals inspects blind spots and checks parts of your home like doors, window frames, cabinets, flooring, roofs, or ceilings for signs of termite infestations. If not, then find another team to do the job because this is one of the most vital parts of pest control services.

Sufficient Knowledge About Types of Termites

Professional pest control specialists should know what to do when they are faced with a particular type of termite. Do check if they know how to properly identify the presence of termite activities and what kind of termite is causing the damage. The common termite species that can infest your home all have different behaviors and tendencies, particularly in their nature and nesting habits.

Being aware of the different types of termites can make it easy for the team to deal with a termite problem. Controlling different termite infestations also means that there should be preventive maintenance in order to reduce the chances of an infestation happening again. There are also many types of pests that can be mistaken for termites so it would be best if the team knows all about it beforehand in order to employ efficient solutions.

Efficient Colony Control

Pest control services experts should be able to deal with termite colonies and resolve the problem. Termites shouldn’t just be identified then killed — they should also ensure efficient colony control. Eradicating termites should be done with the root cause of the infestation in mind. Termites tend to spread and travel in colonies, evidenced by the mud tunnels they build for easy access and feeding. Check if your team can employ long-term methods for controlling the termite infestation. Remember, you should always seek long-term results over quick-fix solutions.

Executing Proven Pest Control Techniques

The word “professional” is held in high regards in the termite control industry for a reason. Pest control services should know all about the tested and proven pest control techniques instead of untested methods and pest control myths. Aim for a team that will exhibit efficiency in their techniques without causing hazards or risks in your home. Seek the help of a professional team that has built a reputation with the results of their services.

Uncompromised Treatment Control and Efficiency

If you opt for the cheapest pest control package there is, you can never be confident that it will eliminate the presence of termites in your home. The long-term costs that termite damage will bring to your household are going to be more expensive than the price of quality pest control. Do not settle with bargain-priced but ineffective treatment. Rather, aim for an adequate protection for your home. If you see that your team is doing their best to protect your home from termites all while assuring you that you have made a great investment, then you definitely have a winner.

Key Takeaway

Know that you deserve the best when it comes to pest control. That is why you should be aware of the great qualities of a team to push efforts forward in the eradication of termites. Remember these qualities the next time you meet a team of pest control services.