Homes and businesses situated throughout the Bensalem, PA area need termite control to protect against one primary type of termite: the eastern subterranean termite. So much so, these areas have been classified as a TIP Zone #2 (Termite Infestation Probability), indicating moderate to heavy termite activity.
Spending most of their time either underground or in the lower reaches of man-made structures both small and large, it is easy for termites to initially escape the notice of the casual observer. While people go about their normal routine of living and working, termites are chewing their way through support joists and wooden framing. By the time the damage has become apparent in the portions of the building that are inhabited by people, it can be catastrophic, requiring massive repairs and potentially necessitating the evacuation of the building until the structure is sound once again.
How are such tiny pests able to cause such a remarkable amount of damage? It is mainly because termite colonies are large, often consisting of multiple thousands or millions of members. Most of these pests are part of the worker caste. These are the termites that are responsible for finding food and bringing it back to the nest. Working day and night, the workers can exact wholesale damage within a few mere months.
Most of that damage takes place in portions of the building that people do not use or visit on a regular basis. This leaves termites firmly in the driver's seat, operating around the clock without any humans being aware of their presence.
It is this kind of behavior that causes licensed pest management professionals to encourage property owners to schedule routine termite inspections. A technician visits the property and conducts a thorough examination to determine which pests are present and how extensive their populations are.
If no termites are present, the technician may make recommendations for how the property owner can ensure that termites cannot come inside. If termites are discovered, then the technicians will propose immediate treatments to correct the problem.
WHAT DO TERMITES LOOK LIKE?
Millions of termites live in colonies, with each pest being a member of one of three castes. Workers, soldiers and reproductives all have critical roles to perform, and each caste may be differentiated by its appearance.
Workers are by far the most numerous members of the colony. This is because they have one of the most important jobs, which is keeping the colony fed. In total, workers are one-eighth of an inch long with cream-colored bodies. They may appear translucent, and the jaw may be a darker color than the rest of the body.
Soldiers are somewhat larger than workers, making them well-suited to protecting the nest. Their heads are oversized with especially prominent jaws, which they make use of in confrontations. Common colorings are light brown and yellow.
The largest termites are known as reproductives. These are the termites that mate, with the female going on to establish a new colony. Several characteristics distinguish the reproductives from other termites. Their coloring is much darker, usually black or brown, and these pests also have pairs of wings that play critical roles in termite mating.
WHERE DO TERMITES LIVE?
When they initially learn about termites, people are surprised to discover that these pests do not typically live within the structures from which they are obtaining food. Instead, the pests build large, complicated underground nests. Sitting somewhere between four and 18 inches beneath the ground's surface, the nest contains a variety of passageways and rooms.
Still, termites do like to remain in close proximity to their source of food. This means that a nest could be placed adjacent to a building's foundation. Nests also may be found close to wooden fences, rotting tree stumps and decks that are no longer in good repair. Any wood that is painted, stained or treated is less likely to be vulnerable to termites, and it is never a good idea to allow wood to be in contact with soil, as it will definitely attract these pests.
Termites cannot tolerate being exposed to the sun, wind and heat. Consequently, they must build mud tubes through which they navigate to get to their food source. Seeing these mud tunnels on exterior walls and foundations may be an indication of an infestation.
WHAT DO TERMITES EAT?
All plant matter on the planet contains the same building block, cellulose. It is this substance that is the only nutritional requirement of the termite. Cellulose is found in wood, paper products and any other common items that may be derived from plants. This demonstrates why termites cause such terrible destruction in man-made buildings while leaving alone the food that is stored in kitchens and pantries.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY TERMITES
The initial damage for which termites are responsible is not obvious or readily observable by people who are not spending considerable time in the basement, crawl space or storage room where these pests are most likely to be found.
For instance, the termites will go to work on a support joist located in a crawl space. As their work progresses, the joist becomes weakened. Other colony members may begin collecting food from other portions of the building. Soon, the damage they are causing becomes visible in the more frequently occupied parts of the structure.
As examples, people may see paint that is bubbling up on a wall or may notice that a wall or a ceiling appears to be buckling. Some people see what looks like a water stain on a floor, wall or ceiling. They call a plumber to investigate, but no leaky pipe is found. Instead, a termite infestation is uncovered.
A thriving termite colony with one million members can eat 15 pounds of wood every week. This is why it is crucial that people schedule regular termite inspections.
ARE TERMITES AGGRESSIVE?
Although capable of biting, such attacks are rare. Termites spend most of their time underground, keeping them out of the way of people.
DO TERMITES CARRY DISEASE?
Termites frequently are infected with bacteria and viruses that may be responsible for spreading gastroenteritis, dysentery, typhus, polio and more. Examples of actual transmission of these illnesses to people are rare but not unheard of. More common sicknesses that are associated with termites are related to the respiratory system.
HOW TO DETECT TERMITES
Signs of a termite infestation include:
• When wood is tapped on, it sounds hollow • Loose tiles on floors or walls • Dark colored, flying insects swarming in the spring • Drooping or discolored drywall • Examining around the foundation reveals piles of shed wings • Doors and windows are stuck • Floorboards are squeaky • Discoloration that is reminiscent of water damage is apparent on the building's interior
HOW TO PREVENT TERMITES
To help prevent termite issues the following steps should be taken:
• Improve humid conditions in crawl spaces and basements • Hire a licensed termite technician to perform annual inspections • Do not keep firewood or lumber close to buildings • Do not let wood and soil come into contact • Ensure that water is moved away from building foundations
HOW WE TREAT FOR TERMITES
Newtown Termite & Pest Control is a certified Termidor® exterminator. We utilize the nation's #1 termiticide when treating homes or businesses. Our technicians apply the product to the exterior of the structure. Once applied, Termidor® becomes undetectable and begins killing termites by contact and indigestion.
Independent testing conducted by the USDA detected no termite damage in concrete slab structures treated with Termidor® 80 WG for more than 15 years following the treatment.
For effective termite extermination our experienced technicians apply the Termidor along the foundation or exterior of the home or business. Once applied, the termiticide blends into the soil and is transferred to termites as they come in contact with the agent. The termiticide is also transferred among the termite colony as infected termites come in contact with other termites. Termidor kills termites both by ingestion as well as by contact.
Our termite control treatment service will terminate an existing termite infestation and protect against future occurrences.
OUR TERMITE TREATMENT WARRANTY
Area homes and businesses have been trusting Newtown Termite & Pest Control. since 1993. We are a family owned and managed termite control provider, with an A+ Better Business Bureau rating. Combined, our certified, company-trained technicians have over 50 years of field experience.
Our termite control treatment service will terminate an existing termite infestation and protect against future occurrences.
At Newtown Termite & Pest Control we stand behind our work with our renewable, transferable, triple guarantee:
1: If, within one year of your first treatment, we uncover a new colony of live termites, we will retreat your home for FREE.
2: If, during the first five years of your service contract, we uncover a new colony of live termites, we will retreat your home for FREE.
3: If, during the first five years or any year thereafter, we uncover a new colony of live termites, we'll retreat for FREE ... EVEN IF YOU SELL THE HOME!
WHEN WAS YOUR LAST TERMITE INSPECTION?
Industry experts agree that the first step in effective termite control is to have your home or business undergo a full termite inspection at least every two to three years.
That is because termites, often referred to as the "silent destroyers" can go unnoticed until visible damage occurs.
Having your Bensalem area home or business professionally inspected by a certified technician is the best way to help detect the presence of termites and prevent extensive damage.
