FAQ's - Termites
Why do Termites Swarm?
Termites swarm in order to disperse and start new
colonies. After a colony reaches a certain size, winged male and female
reproductives called swarmers are produced. Swarmers are triggered
to emerge from the colony when temperature and moisture conditions
are favorable - especially on warm spring days following a rain. Swarming
termites drop to the ground, shed their wings and pair off with a
mate to begin a new colony in the soil. Only a very small percentage
of swarming termites survive to initiate new colonies. Most are eaten
by birds and other insects. Termite swarms emerging inside a structure
almost never survive, but are a sure sign that the building is infested.
What do Termites look like?
Termites and ants resemble each other. The easiest
way to distinguish between ants and termites, though, is to look at
the abdomen and thorax (main body parts). An ant has a narrow waist
joining two sections, while a termite’s body is broadly joined.
I opened a bag of pine bark nuggest, they were covered with termites.
Will this infest my deck next to the flower bed?
No. Decks are made with treated lumber and should
not be in any danger from termite attack.
Is there any particular odor that is associated with nesting termites
or carpenter ants?
I have never noticed an odor caused by termites
or carpenter ants but if the infestation is located where there is a
moisture problem you may be able to smell a musty odor due to molds.
I have little tiny white insects eating the wood around my windows.
I can't tell what they are. What could they be?
Sounds like you may have a termite problem. Termite
workers are white in color. I suggest you call your local exterminating
company and ask for a free inspection to determine what you have.
I have exposed cement blocks as a result of my basement. I'mm planning
to stucco them. I'mm hearing that stucco attracts termites. Is this
tue? Will it apply to me since I'm only doing the bottom?
Stucco may not attract termites but it can create
a passage into the house which is hidden from routine inspections. When
termites enter a home from the outside foundation, they will build a
shelter tube or mud tube up the foundation wall to crawl through. This
passageway protects the termites from their enemies and keeps the humidity
at a comfortable level. Sometimes the imperfections within a stucco
front can create pockets and cracks through which the termites can travel
without being seen. A plain brick foundation has fewer imperfections
and therefore the termites would have to build their tubes on the outside
of the brick in plain sight of the homeowner or an inspector. The more
hidden passageways into your home the greater the chance that termites
will enter the home and go undetected for a period of time.
I am looking for an earth friendly extermination of termintes in my
home. I would like to explore a reliable alternative to fumigation.
We only have eastern subterranean termites in New
Jersey to contend with. If exterminators in your region of the country
are recommending fumigation, you must be having problems with an above
ground infestation of dry wood termites. I am unaware of any reliable
alternatives to fumigation if this is the case. You should read up on
fumigation. I think you'll find it will protect the house without harming
the environment.
I am looking to buy a home that has recently had to be fumigated for
termites. How concerned should I be? It wasn't completely infested,
but two areas of the house did reveal termites.
Termite infestations are a common problem and I
would not let a past infestation change my opinion of the house. Check
to see if the company which treated your house has a warranty and keep
the home under an annual renewal program. Most companies have these
plans and renewal will guarantee you service if a problem should occur
in the future.
Is there anything that can be done about termites without hiring someone
and paying them an arm and a leg to try to get rid of them?
Yes, you could try to treat the home yourself.
Any home center would carry termiticide and you could follow the product's
label very carefully and treat your home. The basic principle with any
chemical termite treatment is to make a complete barrier around your
home's foundation both inside and outside. I do not know what your home's
construction is like so I cannot help you with exact instructions; however,
if you research the situation enough it is possible to make a successful
treatment yourself. Personally, I believe that termite treatments are
best left up to professional exterminators who have the knowledge and
tools to make the job easy.
I would like to know if Clorox would kill termites?
To answer your question honestly I would have to
say yes. Store bought Clorox would kill termites when you pour it
directly onto them; however, I would not recommend you use Clorox
Bleach in this manner. Many different household cleaning products
can kill termites on contact but they do not have the same residual
life of proven termiticides. Proper termiticides can last years in
the soil around your home and this long lasting residual is what protects
your home. Other chemicals and cleaning agents found around the house
would have no residual life and in some cases could do damage to plant
life or other unintended targets.
