Are they termites?-

Termite control is not a problem most households will experience, but homeowners who do have an unfortunate termite infestation have a great ordeal with these hungry home destroyers. Often confused with ants for their similar appearance, termites are notorious for their almost constant feeding schedule. Termites are estimated to spend 20 hours a day eating, and capable of consuming a pound of material in that time, for its high portions of glucose (a favorite termite snack.) Unfortunately, glucose, which has been reduced and the needs of termites is found more often in wood, in particular the variety he used to construct homes, furniture, and other household objects. If your home is under attack from termites, there are many options for removal, and steps you can take toward long-standing termite control.

The first step in successful implementation of the fight against termites invading your home is to seal them in one place. While termites can go anywhere, they are usually in large masses in one place. Termites must also remain in wet and humid, so prefer hidden places that are out of high traffic areas or deep inside your walls. This can make them difficult to find, but their typically stay close to the rest of the colony.

If you're suspecting a need for termite control, there are some common indicators to look for. Termite damage is surprisingly easy to identify, but not as simple to track down. Once you find where the termites are entering and traveling through your home through, it will provide a good reference to investigate for similar damage around the home.

Termite damage is associated with some common features: worn surfaces of wood, trails of sawdust, tiny passages dug in the planks for wood are all indicators. They also travel in swarms and rarely leave their nest and colony in the moist hold they've built out. Termites also remain largely hidden, which is why they prefer to eat indoors rather than expose themselves to predators outside.

Protecting New Homes From Termites

If you are constructing a home on a new site, there are some materials out on the market that you can use for preventative termite control. Begin by clearing all necessary wood and paper products (cardboard, newspaper,) and preferably burn what you do not use. Termites are particularly attracted to damp wood and fungus, but there are some timbers which are less attractive to termites.Wandoo, blackbutt, jam, jarrah, western red cedar and kapur are all considered "termite resistant" woods (no wood is truly termite resistant .) One can treat their wood for termites with creosote, which is best in multiple coats or soak for 48 hours.

Another good tip is to reinforce your door frames and roof tresses with stainless steel; additionally they make steel mesh that is too small for termites to pass through (also good for rodent control.) You can make a steel termite strip to shield between the foundation and the structure of your home, the best form of termite control is early prevention.

How to Identify Termite Damage in Your Walls

Not certain if you need to begin the process for termite control? Start looking around your home for any blemishes in on your walls. As termites gnaw at the wood or drywall, walls will appear to bubble out, and have a slight give under pressure. You may see a crackling or a "salt and pepper" effect once any wall paper is removed. Pressing along the baseboard is for any weakness along the baseboard is a good way to determine if termite control is needed, as well.

Another good indicator of a termite infestation is the appearance of "mud tubes" forming along your walls. These provide shelter and passages for termites, and are about the width of a pencil. Typically, these structures built by termites stem from baseboards or along the perimeter of your home's foundation.

Upon inspection of your home, if you are able to isolate any of these occurrences of termite activity, it is best to call your local termite control experts immediately. It takes a minimum of two years for a termite colony to mature, and once visible damage is perceived, the situation inside your walls may be far worse than you expect.

Termite Prevention and Summertime Water Use

Termites are one of the most dreadful pests that can attack a residence... Annually, termites are responsible for more than five billion dollars in property damage; sadly, few home insurance companies have policies to protect homes from termite damage. Termite control companies report a twenty-five percent increase in household needs for termite problems
In these hot, humid summer months, termites are at their happiest. Patches of rain and heat is enough to keep these pests happy and ready to consume whatever they can obtain. With proper termite control, one may be able to protect their home in these rough warm months.

If your city has not been going through a monsoon as mine, one of the most important tips for homeowners is an extensive survey of property to be certain that water is being guided away from your home. Any interior leaks should be repaired, and be certain that gutters are navigating all rain water off your roof and away from your home. Drainage ditches and proper irrigation systems are helpful, as well. When you are watering your flowers or vegetables with a hose, be extra aware to close all water valves, and watch for growing puddles of water. If you have a sprinkler system, try to keep it's spray away from your home.

Hopefully these termite control tips with water will help keep your home safe in the dog days!