Termites are among the costliest and most destructive pests. Each year, termite colonies are responsible for considerable damage to Doylestown area homes and businesses. Hundreds or thousands of dollars in repairs may be required when recovering from a long-standing termite infestation.
This is because subterranean termites spend the majority of their lifecycle underground. Although it is not unusual to find them in human habitations, their activity rarely is out in the open. Instead, termites work in dark, damp places that people do not frequent. This provides them with plenty of opportunities to wreak destruction without being detected.
It is important for property owners to seek the advice of a pest management professional if they suspect that they have a termite problem. Acting quickly may prevent a small incursion of pests from becoming a full-blown infestation.
WHAT DO TERMITES LOOK LIKE?
Most people are unable to identify termites on sight. This is because termites are most often underground or in basements and crawlspaces. Accordingly, the trained eyes of the exterminator are critical to identifying the problem and correctly addressing it.
Termite workers are the colony members who leave the nest in search of food. They are a creamy-white color and only about 1/8" in length. Soldiers are about twice this size. With similar coloration, they can be distinguished from workers by their oversized jaws, which are suitable for biting, and the yellowish hue of their heads.
Certain colony members known as swarmers are capable of reproduction. This makes their lifecycle unlike that of the workers and soldiers. They are equipped with wings to provide them with greater mobility as it is their responsibility to establish new colonies. In the spring or summer, they rise out of the nest to mate and look for a place to build a nest. They are larger than other colony members at between 3/8" and ½" and are black or brown.
WHERE DO TERMITES LIVE?
Termite biology requires that they maintain an adequate level of hydration. Much of this hydration is obtained from the atmosphere, but the open air is not sufficient to this purpose. This means that termites must nest underground and travel to a food source by a system of mud tunnels.
Over time, termite nests can become large and complex. Successful, long-term colonies produce the swarmers who are capable of venturing out to establish new colonies in the same geographic region. Accordingly, it is not unusual to discover two or more termite nests in a relatively small area. Such nests are always located close to a food source like a rotting log or a building that has damp or damaged wood.
HOW TERMITES GET INSIDE
Subterranean termites typically gain entry into homes and businesses where wooden portions of the structure are accessible to them, which include posts, frames, steps, etc.
Additionally, termites can enter through cracks in foundations and stone or brick surfaces as small 1/32 of an inch -- half the thickness of a penny.
Once inside a heated structure, termites can remain active throughout the year and maintain their activities 24 hours a day.
ARE TERMITES AGGRESSIVE?
Termites have an aggressive appetite for all cellulose-containing items. They are capable of destroying wooden frames around doors and windows, and wooden doors themselves also are vulnerable. Furniture, books and clothing, all of which may contain cellulose, similarly are vulnerable.
Encounters between people and termites are rare. Worker termites are tiny, and though they may be capable of biting, such an incident is unlikely to happen. Soldiers, with their oversized jaws and responsibility for protecting the nest, are far more likely to attack if the nest is disturbed.
WHAT DO TERMITES EAT?
Termite nutritional requirements are met by a substance called cellulose. Cellulose is a basic building block of trees and plants, so anything that is made of wood or has plant matter as a component may be eaten by termites. Accordingly, termites eat the lumber that is used to provide support and structure to buildings, and they also may eat siding, sheetrock, shingles and wallpaper. Furniture, books, linens and clothing also may be sources of food.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY TERMITES
Most of the damage that termites cause takes place in attics, basements, crawlspaces and wall voids where it is unlikely to be discovered for some time. A particularly large colony is capable of hollowing out wooden support joists and other critical construction components, perhaps undermining the stability of the structure.
Because of the termite colony's appetite, the walls, floors or ceilings in a building may begin to buckle or bow. People may notice what looks like water damage on some surfaces, though there is no indication of a leak. All of this damage must be repaired, but first, it is essential to eradicate the termite infestation that is responsible for the destruction.
HOW TO DETECT TERMITES
The following signs may be indictive of a termite problem:
• Unexplained breathing difficulties, particularly for people with allergies or asthma • Mud tunnels found on foundations • Walls and floors that buckle or bow • Flying swarmers emerging in the spring or summer • Shed wings dropped in piles after a swarm • Sawdust-like piles found anywhere in or around a building
HOW TO PREVENT TERMITES
Implementing the following measures can reduce the risk of a termite infestation:
• Woodpiles and yard debris piles should be kept at least 20 feet from structures • Do not keep rotting stumps or fallen trees on the property • Use only painted or stained wood • Re-treat wood that is beginning to look worn • Replace any wooden construction components that are damaged by water • Keep mulch away from foundations • Immediately repair water leaks • Eliminate sources of standing water
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 pest 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 Doylestown 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.
