It is an unfortunate fact that property owners across Bucks County typically do not worry about termites until it is too late. By the time they realize that they have an infestation, these wood-destroying insects have caused so much damage that it will be incredibly expensive and time-consuming to repair.
How are eastern subterranean termites able to cause such destruction without people being aware of the pests' presence? Most of the problem is that these insects spend virtually their entire life cycle underground. Not only is their nest placed beneath the soil but also termites construct mud tunnels that make it possible for them to stealthily travel from the nest to their source of food.
When that food source is located in a man-made structure, the termites tend to concentrate their efforts in dark, out-of-the-way places like basements and crawl spaces. People infrequently visit these rooms, leaving termites to wreak havoc, perhaps for months or many years.
The early damage is not readily visible in the more populated parts of the building. However, as the destruction becomes more extensive, the termites look further to find food. As wooden portions of the building become hollowed out, the damage becomes observable.
The good news is that it is possible to prevent termite infestations before they start. With inspections conducted on at least an annual basis, a pest management professional can identify the early warning signs of termites. This means that termites can be denied access to all buildings on the property, thereby saving the owner hundreds or even thousands of dollars in repairs and considerable inconvenience.
If a termite infestation is underway, the technician can make immediate, common-sense recommendations for stopping the insects and keeping them out for good.
WHAT DO TERMITES LOOK LIKE?
With thousands or perhaps one million or more members, termite colonies are busy places. However, what looks like chaos to human eyes is actually well-ordered thanks to a caste system within the colony.
The first caste is the workers. These individuals head out from the nest to gather food for the other colony members that rarely, if ever, leave the nest. Measuring approximately one-eighth of an inch long, workers are creamy white and translucent with a darker jaw.
The second caste is the soldiers. Sticking close to the nest for their entire life, the soldiers protect the colony with their oversized heads and massive jaws. They are only slightly larger than workers, and they tend to be yellow or brown.
The third caste is the reproductives. Sometimes also called swarmers, these black or brown termites are larger than members of the other castes. Another characteristic that sets them apart is their two pairs of wings. These are the termites that fly up in a swarm each spring to mate. Soon after swarming, the males die, and the females shed their wings and establish new colonies nearby.
WHERE DO TERMITES LIVE?
Placed at just a few inches below the ground surface, termite nests can be incredibly large and complex. Numerous tunnels and rooms make up the nest, which can be enlarged as the colony grows.
Most nests are not located within food sources, but they are placed nearby. This means that nests are more likely to be found in close proximity to a rotting tree stump or a poorly maintained wooden deck or fence.
Nests frequently are discovered close to building foundations as this makes it easy for the workers to get from the nest to the crawl space, basement and wall voids in the building.
Termites are rarely seen above the ground or out in the open because they are delicate and cannot tolerate being exposed to sun and wind. Consequently, they build mud tubes that allow them safely to travel between the nest and their food source. When mud tubes are seen on the foundation or exterior walls of a building, it is a signal that a termite infestation is underway or about to begin.
WHAT DO TERMITES EAT?
Virtually all plant matter is mainly composed of a material known as cellulose. Wood contains cellulose in high concentrations, and since it is cellulose that termites require, they eat wood in large amounts.
Of course, anything else that contains cellulose is vulnerable to attack. Papers, books, linens, clothing and more all may be consumed by hungry termites. In general, these pests are not interested in the foods that people and pets consume. Nonetheless, they may eat paper or cardboard packaging that contains food.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY TERMITES
This is the main reason that people all around Bucks County fear termite infestations. An ordinary colony that has approximately one million members is capable of eating at least 15 pounds of wood every week. Clearly, it is wise to prevent termite infestations altogether or at least stop them in their earliest stages.
Most of the damage cannot readily be seen from the parts of the building that are regularly occupied. This is especially the case in new infestations when the termites are concentrating on support joists, subfloors and wooden framing. As these components are weakened and further damage is caused to walls, floors and ceilings, the damage becomes visible even to the casual observer.
Visible termite damage may take forms such as bubbling paint, floors or ceilings that look swollen or buckling wood. Occasionally, a property owner sees what they believe is water damage, but they cannot find a leaky pipe. They discover that termites have been at work instead.
ARE TERMITES AGGRESSIVE?
Termites are capable of biting people, and the soldiers, in particular, inflict a painful wound. However, given the termites' underground lifestyle, encounters between people and these pests are not common. It is generally unwise for people to disturb termite nests as this may result in an attack.
DO TERMITES CARRY DISEASE?
While termites are not as interested in peoples' food as other pests, they still pose health risks like gastroenteritis and dysentery, especially when they consume food packaging. Further, these insects may carry typhus, polio and other serious diseases to which people do not want to be exposed. When people are in buildings that are infested with termites, they are more susceptible to respiratory ailments caused by excessive wood dust and termite waste products.
HOW TO DETECT TERMITES
Signs of a termite presence include:
• Squeaky floorboards • Paint that bubbles or peels • Ceilings, walls and floors with apparent water damage • Loose floor or wall tiles • Drooping, discolored drywall • Sticky doors and windows • Mud tunnels on building exteriors • Dark, winged insects swarming in the spring • When wood is tapped on, it sounds hollow
HOW TO PREVENT TERMITES
To help protect against termites the following precautions should be taken:
• Do not allow wood and soil to be in contact anywhere on the premises • Place piles of lumber and firewood at least 20 feet away from buildings • Pipe water away from building foundations • Keep basements and crawl spaces dry • Block holes and cracks in building exteriors to eliminate access points • Hire a pest management company to perform at least annual termite inspections
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
Bucks County 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 Bucks County 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.
