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There are 3 main forms of termites: drywood, dampwood and subterranean. Every kind of termite colony includes workers (who eat your house), soldiers (who defend others from predators such as ants) and swarmers (flyers that locate new areas to colonize). Though you dont generally see termites unless theyre swarming (flying), its great to know how to identify them, Wilson states.
Drywood termites commonly possess a brown body with a reddish head. Swarmers have sheer, tan wings but there are color variations. Employees are pale, tan and look like maggots, with no wings.
Dampwood termites are much like drywood termites, often with a tan or brown body and absolute wings. These workers also resemble maggots.
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Drywood termites are partial to dry, nondecayed wood and often end up in attics, flooring boards and window frames.
Dampwood termites like decaying wood or wood that's rich with moisture. They often attack wood that is making contact with the ground and are found in areas with high rainfall or humidity.
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Drywood and dampwood termites enter your home through small cracks, often around window frames throughout cracks in the caulk. Be sure to check around windows regularly and reapply caulk when it begins to show signs of age and cracking. Swarmers lose their wings and float into the timber. Cracks in paint are another easy access point for termites.
Be mindful of maintaining your exterior paint. As an instance, when you hammer up Christmas lights then take the nails out, you leave behind little holes and produce an open door for a termite colony. .
Subterranean termites often burrow into cracks in the homes foundation. In regions like the San Francisco Bay Area, a lot homes have increased foundations, Wilson says. Termites build mud tubes up to the bottom floor, often along posts. But even in the absence of posts, Wilson says, mud tubes can stretch from the ground up through thin atmosphere to connect with the base of the home. .
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So what can you do if you find a termite in your home when you see one drop wing Continue or one termite flying , it doesnt mean you have an infestation. But if you find a group of wings or any of the other warning signs noted above, its best to find a professional inspection.
Termites are actually simple to kill, Wilson says, but you need a termiticide to do it. Unfortunately, good pesticides are not available to the general public. Most home shops sell termite spray, but these are watered down to meet public safety specifications, so theyre not as successful.
If you've got an infestation that's isolated to one part of your home, state the door trim, you can replace the trimming, Wilson states. But if you've got a full-on termite infestation, you need a bigger scale treatment.
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Subterranean termites have to be cut away from the home at the soil. Pacific Coast Termites makes a chemical barrier between visit the website any regions of dirt and the house, as well as around the entire house. It functions as a shield that the termites cant break through.
Drywood and dampwood termites can be murdered with a timber treatment product like XT2000 Orange Oil, which is injected under pressure into the timber through ink-pen-sized holes. This product saturates the wood and will prevent future infestations. Treating a moderate infestation this manner takes about four to six hours.
Homes which are exceptionally infested (you can see termites everywhere) his explanation can require fumigation. Either a huge tent is put over your house, or all the doors and windows are sealed, and the home is gassed with pesticide that can kill all the termites. This process can take anywhere from six hours to one week, depending on the type of infestation.
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Employ an excellent, quality coat of exterior paint on your house, since termites wont consume through paint. Ensure that all windows, doorframes and foundation gaps are caulked and sealed. Dont basic or nail up Christmas lights then pull them down. Even the tiny holes make termite homes. Instead, either leave the nails in the holes year-round or fill out the holes when you eliminate the nails. .
Instantly resolve any plumbing leaks, standing water on your roof or other issues involving decaying wood. Provide appropriate ventilation under your raised home to keep that area dry. Subterranean termites adore wetness.