Sunday, December 7, 2008

Natural Termite Treatment

Natural Termite treatment

People are very conscious about the chemicals we use to fight against pests these days. This is why there are methods toward natural termite treatment to rid our structures of the pest. The use of chemicals is the most effective way to get rid of termites; you can always use the natural termite treatment to minimize to rid your home of termites and the damage they can cause to your home or building.

Natural termite prevention treatment is the use of control without using chemicals. Instead, various physical controls are used during construction, such as metal termite shields. If you discover a termite infestation, using a less toxic treatment is the preferred method. This means that natural termite treatment is geared toward keeping termites out before they can make a entry and cause damage.
The key is prevention whether you use a natural termite treatment to prevent termites from entering the structure in the first place. You use certain strategies to ensure they have no food sources that attract them.

Stop and think what would the first thing be to stop termites from entering the structure? If you’re thinking natural treatment then think to eliminate any food source or moisture. Since termites are attracted to moisture in wood and its food source is wood. Wet soil or wood is a area necessary for the survival of termites. Termites travel back and forth between the soil and their food source. In addition controlling moisture can help in the control of termites.

If your dealing with above ground foundations, then moisture barrier is the way to think, such as polyethylene 6 millimeters may be used to cover the area under the structure. This will reduce the accumulation of moisture in the sub-floors. Ventilation should be placed to provide air flow for houses with crawl spaces as natural treatment for termites.
Bathrooms, kitchens should be given special attention. Areas around the bath and sink drains leading to the outside (even air conditioning drains) should be considered as vulnerable entry points. If you can keep food and moisture controlled then there is a good chance you can control the entry of termites into a structure.
We must do everything we can to make sure that our Earth survives and natural termite treatment is a good place to start! A natural termite treatment is always great way to keep our environment healthy and environmentally friendly.






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Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Dry Termites

Dry termites or rather dry wood termites is a problem that reaches the lower United States. This termite requires less moisture than the other termites, actually only about 3% moisture. what this means is every piece of wood has about 10% moisture. The dry termite has its food source and moisture plus home in one piece of wood.

The dry termite or dry wood termite is the less destructive of the termites as far as subterranean or Formosan termite.
What happens is if left unattended or untreated is the problem only gets worse, the swarmers or reproductive s will swarm out and mate up. I call these the princes and princesses of the termite world. Their purpose is to start new colony's. because this termite requires less moisture to survive they only need to get back into wood. Where as the subterranean termite requires 16-30% moisture to survive they will die if they don't make it back into the soil. So now you see the difference between dry wood termites sometimes referred to as dry termite.

The best way to eliminate the dry termite is to do what is called a fumigation or tenting. this is where a crew or company will come to the residence or structure in question and install a tent over the structure then shoot a gas called Vikane gas, also know as sulfuryl fluoride into the structure. Therefore killing the termites.
Just remember the best method of getting rid of the dry termite is to have it done by a professional exterminator. Using Vikane gas and fumigation is very safe, there is no residuals. No exterminator that I have ever known about has died from this process.

Termites In Mulch

Termites In Mulch

First let’s get one concern out of the way concerning termites in mulch. The first concern comes from a problem in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. And the rumor was that you can get termites from the mulch and that is just about what it is, a rumor. The universities have written some articles on this matter. Some information comes from those articles.


Termites can be found in mulch, but their survival is poor and here is why: the ability of termites to survive the chipping process to create mulch is not good; the mulching process to make wood chips is usually enough to kill a colony of termites. The only way termites can come to your house by mulch is if you don't use a reliable source. Once the termite is separated from the colony the survival rate really decreases.
Even though it is possible to get termites this way it is not probable. The mulch application is important. Keep away from foundation of house at least 6”.
What normally happens is the mulch is placed up against the house and blocks the view of inspectors doing the annual inspection. For the most part the biggest scare of termites is the Formosan termite. This termite has been known to eat through plastic, lead, copper, plaster and rubber to search for moisture and a food source.  
The termite in question is the subterranean termite.  Even if this termite does not come with the mulch, the mulch will make a bridge the termites can cross with out coming in contact with the ground or chemical. Chances are you have the subterranean termite living in the soil somewhere on your property.
Getting termites in mulch  can happen but would be rare.

Monday, July 28, 2008

What Does a Termite Look Like?



What Does a Termite Look Like?
Most people who own a residential home or a commercial building, often ask themselves the question "What does a termite look like?" The reason is simple if you as a home owner know what a termite looks like then your well on your way to knowing how to get rid of termites, and possible save a lot of property damage that is caused by these tiny little pests. Most people say that a termite looks like a little white ant, but the reality is that because there is a hierarchy within these very social insects, what they look like depends on the position they hold in the colony.
So what does a termite look like? The worker termites most closely resemble small white ants. They are responsible for foraging for food that will sustain the colony. They are white and soft bodied and smaller in size – just like an ant. Soldier termites are responsible for defending the colony against predators, so they will look a lot like the worker termites except they have a larger head with mandibles that are used for defense.
The reproductive termites are black and have wings, they swarm out of the nest land to mate and to start new colony's , you might say they are princes and princesses. they will land and start going in circles until the female picks a mate.
I am not sure it is important to know how to identify the king and queen of the colony even if they are the ones who "rule" the colony. Chances are you will never see them anyway The queen termite is the largest termite in the colony. She has an elongated body that is usually lighter in color. The king termite is smaller than the queen and his elongated body is darker in color.
Termite colonies live below the ground in America. The worker termites go out and find food – usually in the form of damp wood, leaf debris, and loose cellulite matter. The workers then bring food back to the termite mound where members feed on the matter.
When you own property. Asking yourself "What does a termite look like?" is a responsible thing to do.Termites and termite damage Identification is so important.

needless to say, when you find the damage, the sooner you can start the treating process. Now when someone asks you "What does a termite look like?" you can now speak with authority!

How else will you know how to get rid of termites, unless you know what they look like.
 

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