Termites are “Silent Destroyers,” and they can do a lot of damage before being discovered. However, armed with a little information, just about anyone can detect termites before it’s too late. Here are some of the frequently asked questions our Service Professionals get about termites and their answers, so you can be prepared to protect your home or business.

Q. What do termites look like?

A. There are several different types of termites, and each type looks different at every stage of life. In general, termites look similar to ants, and termite swarms are often mistaken for winged ants.  Because it can be difficult for non-experts to identify termites by their physical traits, keep a close eye out for signs of their presence.

Q. What are signs of termites?

A. In some cases, the first sign of termites are mud tubes connecting the wooden portion of a structure to the ground. As termites attack a structure, the wood inside and outside might appear to be buckling, blistering, or water-damaged. You may also start to notice grooves in the wood or wood that falls apart when you touch it. Walls and floors could sound hollow, and you may detect odors that smell like mildew or mold. If you listen closely, you may even hear munching noises coming from inside of walls, floors, and anything wood based.

Q.How do you get rid of termites?

A. Waynes uses Constant Protection, featuring the Sentricon® System with AlwaysActive™ technology to treat termites. In part, it is effective because the bait used in the Sentricon System is 10 times more attractive than wood to worker termites.  Workers ingest the bait and then take it back to the colony for consumption. Sentricon is even proven to eliminate the termite queen, which causes the entire colony to collapse.

Some companies use other treatments including termite insecticides, foam agents, dust agents, and fumigation, but these options do not achieve the same results. Many of these materials begin to break down due to time, sunlight, and water exposure, while Sentricon bait stations become more attractive to termites over time.

Q. Do termites bite?

A. All termites have jaws capable of chewing through wood … one tiny bite at a time. In theory, they could bite humans, but because their jaws are so small, you would be unlikely to feel it if they did.

Q. What attracts termites?

A. Conditions that attract termites to a building include:

• • wooden structures that directly contact the ground
  • excessive water accumulation
  • moist wood that doesn’t routinely dry out
  • decaying trees
  • mulch that comes into contact with wood pieces of the structure
  • spray foam insulation
  • shrubs too close to buildings

Q. How can you prevent termites?

A. Here are some of the most important strategies for preventing termites:

• • Keep mulch and plants several feet away from the foundation. The same goes for firewood or other wood stored outside. (Even if it is stored away from buildings, it’s best to avoid storing wood directly on the ground.)
  • Clean up debris of all kinds in your yard
  • Repair leaks
  • Inspect air-conditioner drains.
  • Prevent water from collecting near wooden structures, including your home and sheds
  • Clean your gutters to prevent moisture buildup.
  • Avoid spray foam insulation.

Q. How much does it cost to treat termites?

A. Termite damage costs Americans about $5 billion a year. Termite prevention is usually provided through an annual service agreement. The cost of this annual protection varies depending on the structure protected. This small investment can save thousands. The average termite repair is $8,000, but we have seen repair projects that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Q. When is termite season?

A. Termites can cause damage any time of the year. However, they get more active when the weather warms up. Most subterranean termites start swarming in the spring.

Call Waynes!

Termites can be tricky, but damage to your home can be avoided with the right prevention and treatment methods. If you have any other questions about termites or you feel like your home could be under termite attack, give us a call at 866.WAYNES1 or Pulverize Pests Now!