Termite Identification

There is an exciting new technology that has come about in the world of termite infestation that involves infrared cameras and termite identification.  The invention currently has a patent pending, but it is causing a real buzz in the world of pest control.  It’s amazing that a connection was not made earlier between using infrared cameras and termite identification.  Infrared cameras have been around for quite some time, so when this new invention was brought onto the market, many pest control companies began embracing the technology as a legitimate way to find termite infestation and combat the problem before it gets out of control.

Termites are extremely destructive to wood material. Termites attack and destroy wood almost everywhere in the world, with the exception of climate zones that experience hard freezing. There are close to fifty species of termites in the United States, the majority of losses to wood material being caused by subterranean species.  It is difficult to put a dollar amount estimate on termite damage. However, renowned termite scientist Dr. Nan Yao Su at the University of Florida has estimated that the total annual cost of termite control and damage repair for the United States alone was $11 billion in 1999.

When trying to determine if there is a termite infestation in a structure, it can be a bit difficult.  Only about thirty percent of wood in a structure is visible.  Since termites like dark, damp places, they are likely lurking is parts of the structure that are not easily seen.  Therefore, there needs to be another method of detection which involves tapping the surface of the wood while listening for a characteristic sound indicative of an underlying gallery void. When a suspected area is located, the inspector applies a sharp probe, such as a screwdriver, to break the wood surface and locate wood galleries and live termites.

This method has significant disadvantages. The confirmation of an active infestation requires some localized damage to the wood. Also, when termites are exposed in this manner, the destruction induces termites to retreat from the disturbed area and may reduce the effectiveness of a subsequent localized treatment.  For quite some time now, pest control experts have been longing for a less invasive way to find termites in a structure which is why it only makes sense to connect infrared cameras and termite identification.

Infrared cameras seek out areas of heat to identify the presence of various objects making termite identification easier and more effective.  Since termites are living, breathing organisms, they do have a certain amount of heat within their bodies.  You will never have just one termite in one area; you will have hundreds, so the heat they generate as a group is easily visible with an infrared camera.  The inspector simply inserts a small tube with a camera on the end of it into any small area to see if they can detect excessive areas of heat thus indicating a termite infestation.

Infrared cameras and termite identification have taken the pest control field to new heights and have opened up all sorts of new doors in the field of termite treatments.

For those people who are ecologically conscious, finding a way to make a homemade termite killer might become a priority if termites are around your house or you think you might be susceptible to termite infestation.  The most effective way to get rid of termites is with chemicals, but some people just aren’t comfortable with using chemicals which has prompted them to try and find a homemade termite killer that will be effective and easy to use.  Unfortunately, there is no easy homemade termite killer that has proven to be as effective as chemicals.

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a way to get rid of termites without the use of chemicals.  Termites are resilient creatures who simply look for a food source and “go to work”.  The best homemade termite killer you can employ is to remove their food source.  That means getting wet wood dry, cleaning up damp leaves around the base of your home, and making sure that there are no miniscule entryways for termites to enter your home and begin their damage.

Unlike other pests, you can’t sprinkle some hot pepper sauce on them or spray them with a vinegar and water mixture to kill them.  They’ll live through it and continue to breed despite your best efforts.  Don’t try these methods as they will only cause you frustration and make you angry that you can’t use a homemade termite killer to get rid of these unwelcome guests.

One web page that we found suggests that you take a cardboard box and wet it down.  Then you place it around your home and monitor it.  Termites like soft food and the weakened cardboard – that is made of wood – makes it a great buffet for invading termites.  Once you find termites in the damp cardboard, take it somewhere and burn it and then continue the process.  It takes diligence, but eventually, you’ll gain control – at least somewhat.

Another poster on this web page went to a local home improvement store and bought some termite bait for $18.88.  She placed it around the foundation of her home and changed it as the box said.  Since she monitored it faithfully and changed the bait according to directions, she found that she didn’t get a termite problem at all.  What is funny about her story is that a pest control company came out to assess her home and give her an estimate on how she could control termites.  Their estimate was over $1,300!  In her quest for a homemade termite killer, she found a commercial product that worked just as well as a pest control company’s but for much, much, much less the cost.

Use common sense when trying to come up with a homemade termite killer and be diligent about your efforts.  If you take the time to pay attention to your home, you will eventually be able to come up with a homemade termite killer that will meet all of your needs and keep your home safe.

When you have termites, it can be devastating to your home, but when you eliminate them with termite control products and chemicals, you will be taking responsible steps towards protecting your property and keeping your home safe and sound.  It is possible to eliminate termites with control procedures done by a licensed, professional pest control company.

The process of eliminate termite control aims to completely get rid of the termites that are currently infesting the home or structure.  The earlier you get to an infestation, the better chance you have to eradicate them and start on a prevention program that will keep them from returning.  Eliminate termite control procedures usually involve the use of chemicals that are sprayed around the foundation of the structure as well as into the walls where termites like to live.

You can actually take some steps to eliminate termite control and the need for drastic measures that may have to be taken on your home.  Take a good look at the foundation of the structure and note any cracks that may have formed.  Use a good filler to seal off the cracks as these are where termites like to enter the home.

Look for areas where the soil meets the foundation and also note any places where moisture has accumulated near wood.  Termites feed on damp, wet wood and drift toward where the wood is made weak and where it is easier for them to tunnel.  Use a protective barrier in the form of a chemical treatment and take steps to seal off any places where water can seep underneath the house.

Eliminate termite control will take care of getting rid of an existing termite infestation, but the only way you can effectively control any incidence of re-occurrence is with annual preventative treatments by a pest control company.  You can do everything possible to eliminate termite control problems, but without preventative treatments, you may find that you will pay more money to get rid of these pests than what you will pay if you just take the time to have annual termite treatments.

You will never eliminate the need for termite control.  As a responsible home or building owner, you must think about these pests that like to take control of the wood in your structure and devastate it making your building unsound and unsafe to inhabit.  Take steps to eliminate termite control problems right now and be sure that your home or building is kept safe.

You may be surprised at the devastating effect of termite damage on a building. When you have a swarm of termites, they can eat through whole wood beams and cause such problems with the structure of the building that could make it uninhabitable. The effect of termite damage often takes a period of several years to cause serious structural problems which is why you need to really pay attention to what’s happening inside your home when it comes to inspecting the building for termite damage and take steps to control that damage before it does become a huge problem.

The effect of termite damage will cause the integrity of the wood to become compromised. That means when the termites begin feasting on the wood of your home, they can weaken the wood, cause drywall to crumble, eat away window sills and door frames, and so much more. Even though these small little insects are less than a centimeter in length, the effect of termite damage on a structure can be huge and very expensive.

As a property owner, you should know what to look for when doing an inspection of your property to see if you have a termite problem. If you don’t take steps right away to inspect for a possible termite infestation, the effect of termite damage on your structure could get out of control before you even know it. Start by looking around the outside of your home near the foundation where the soil meets the base of the home. Termites can enter a home through the smallest opening, so pay special attention to any cracks in the foundation and fill those cracks with an appropriate filling agent to keep the termites from getting in.

Another effect of termite damage can be the presence of termites in places where you cannot readily see as in the crawl space or in the walls of a home. This invisible damage can be difficult for the everyday person to see which is why it is a good idea to have a professional termite inspection done on your building for peace of mind. Plus, a licensed professional can point out the obvious effect of termite damage and make suggestions as to how you can take steps to correct the problem.

You may also want to look at pictures that show the effect of termite damage on a building. We’re willing to bet that once you see how termites can wreak havoc on a structure, you’ll want to take care of the problem immediately. The effect of termite damage can be stopped, but only if you take steps to do so as soon as possible. Check it out and then take action!

In general, it is not recommended that you undertake a do it yourself termite treatment program for termite infestation. Getting rid of termites requires the use of powerful chemicals and it can be dangerous for anyone to try and manipulate these chemicals without the special training that goes along with them. A do it yourself termite treatment program also requires that you know what areas around your structure to target so that you can be most effective in getting rid of these pesky insects.

However, if you are an avid fan of doing things on your own, you can try a do it yourself termite treatment, but do so with the most information you can get first. You must know where the termites are (if you already have them) and where to target to get rid of them. If you are just doing a preventative do it yourself termite treatment, you’ll have to know what areas to spray so the termites won’t come in and start infesting your structure. If you miss even one small space, you will risk a termite invasion, so you must be well prepared and thorough.

First, you will need to find some type of pesticide product. There is a very helpful website online at www.doityourselftermitecontrol.com that offers up not only advice for a do it yourself termite treatment program, but they also offer the appropriate chemicals you will need to get the job done. Their latest recommendation is a chemical called Termidor which has been proven to be one hundred percent effective in tests and trials at environmental test sites. That’s one heck of a guarantee, isn’t it?

Many do it yourself termite treatments call for the use of termite baits. Instead of injecting chemicals into the soil which will only last a few years, you can now place termite bait directly into the ground around the outside of a structure which the termites will find, feed on and die. The technology of termite bait systems are constantly changing and improving.

Baiting colonies of termites is simple and can also be used as a monitoring tool to detect termites where they are not yet a problem. Termite baits eliminate and control in conditions where the structure is untreatable with soil termiticides (near a body of water for example), or there is a concern about pesticide use, and even in structures where soil treatments have failed.

Just take caution when you are undertaking a do it yourself termite treatment. Often, it is best left up to professionals, but you can do it yourself as long as you do your research first and take caution with the chemicals you must use.

Have you been wondering about the age old question, can a termite see?  Me either, but it is an interesting question.  After all, these small pests can infiltrate a home and cause a huge amount of damage, but how do they find their food source?  Do they see a tasty huge old Victorian home and call all their bodies to road trip on into the foundation?  The truth is that in most termites, they have no eyes, so the easy answer to the question can a termite see is No.  Some of the reproductive members of a termite colony will have eyes because they also have wings, but in general, termites cannot see.

So how do they find their food?  That’s almost as good a question as can a termite see!  Termites are blind, and they really have no method to their madness, so to speak, when it comes to finding a food source.  Basically, they wander around moving about until they encounter some type of resistance at which time they switch directions and keep going until they find something they are able to eat.  We’re not talking about a cross country road trip, but let’s just say you have termites in a wood pile behind your home.  When they finish up with the wood and decide they want a different kind of wood and head toward your house, the travel across your yard might feel like a cross country journey to them!

Some people consider the question can a termite see frivolous, but it really can mean a lot to the person who is interested in getting rid of or preventing a termite problem.  If they can’t see, all they can really rely on is touch.  They like wet places – especially wet places with damp wood.  Take steps to make sure you have no leaks around your home that may attract your blind enemy.  Don’t let the soil underneath your house get wet in any way, and keep the soil away from the foundation of your house if at all possible.

When doing landscaping work, you may want to use a wood mulch to decorate.  If you want to do this, keep the mulch away from the foundation of the house and always use black landscaping to keep the termites from emerging from the soil and eating through your mulch.  An even better idea is to use stone when landscaping.

We hope we’ve answer your question about can a termite see effectively.  For more information, you may also want to consult an encyclopedia or look on the Internet to become fully informed about those pesky termites!

Just as in all parts of the country, finding a company that can do building structural repair for termite damage in NJ isn’t a difficult thing to do.  There are many pest control companies that will assess your home as well as the damage that has been done.  Then it is up to you to find a contractor that specializes in building structural repair for termite damage in NJ.  A general contractor will do, but it is best to find a company that has experience in this specific type of construction.

Termites can do some pretty devastating damage to a structure that can result in thousands of dollars of damage.  They eat through the wood that frames the home or building making the structure un-solid and thus dangerous to inhabit.  That is why it is so important to have that damage fixed as soon as you find it and have it assessed.  The first step you should make when looking for a place that will do building structural repair for termite damage in NJ is to look in the Yellow Pages or online and call them for estimates.  Most companies will do a free estimate and give you a ballpark idea of how much it will cost to repair the damage done by the termites.

You should get several estimates first and then look into the company’s credentials.  Are they members of any professional associations?  Are they licensed, bonded, and insured?  Will they offer any type of guarantee for their work?  Ask questions about what specifically is going to be done to repair the damage.  You don’t want any surprises when they show up to work.  They will be able to tell you if you will be able to remain in the building or if you have to vacate it during the repair process.

We were able to find many places that offer building structural repair for termite damage in NJ just by doing a quick Google search.  Check out these company’s websites and see what they have to offer.  You may also want to ask your pest control company who they recommend.  They work with these types of contractors all the time, and will probably be able to point you toward a reputable company.

Finding a good, reliable company for building structural repair for termite damage in NJ really is not a difficult proposition.  Use all the resources you have at your fingertips and choose a company based on reputation, guarantee of service, and your comfort level in working with them.  You’ll be able to have a few choices in those who specialize in building structural repair for termite damage in NJ, so look around and take your time – but not too much time!  If you have termites present in your building, they will continue to do damage until they are removed!

One of the most well-known pest control chemical companies in the pest control business is Bayer Termite Control. The Bayer Termite Control Company produces one of the most trusted and most effective chemicals in the termite eradication business – Premise. This chemical has been proven to get rid of termites effectively with just one application and then with annual applications, it can keep termites away for good.

The Bayer Termite Control Company has worked hard to develop the Premise chemical for termite control and they have come up with a product that is trusted by pest control companies all over the country. Bayer termite control conducted extensive studies on the Premise product before they released it for sale over seven years ago. What they found was that Premise performed much better than comparable chemicals on the market which was very exciting for them.

After releasing Premise for commercial use, Bayer termite control almost instantly became one of the most trusted and respected termite chemical company in the business. They pride themselves on their products and even offer an iron-clad guarantee to companies who use their product.

Part of the Bayer termite control guarantee has terms and conditions of the guarantee that states in effect if Premise fails to stop termites at any time within seven years of initial treatment, Bayer termite control will reimburse up to one hundred percent of product and labor costs involved in re-treatment to a maximum of $1000 for residential accounts and $5000 for commercial accounts.

Bayer termite control will also guarantee to pay the termite controller’s damage claim insurance deductible up to $500 per structure”. It is a condition of this guarantee that annual inspections are carried out by the same company installing the Premise termiticide soil treatment. There are very few companies who are that confident of their product that they will offer up a guarantee that is as good as this one!

When you use the Premise chemicals produced by Bayer termite control, you can be assured that you are getting effective treatment of your termite problem and that the problem will not be coming back! Not only is that peace of mind, that is unfailingly knowing that your home will be protected from termite damage because you were smart enough to trust a company like Bayer termite control. You’ve made an investment in your home, so you owe it to yourself and your home to use the best products to keep it safe and sound. Using Bayer termite control is a good choice!

As a homeowner, you may be surprised at the amount of damage a termite can do. Even though these pesky insects are less than a centimeter in length, the amount of damage a termite can do far outweighs its small size. There is never just one termite inside a home – there are hundreds and hundreds. The worker termites are the ones who eat through the wood to provide nourishment to the rest of the colony, and they can really wreak havoc on a wood structure.

Termites eat wood and cellulose materials. They are especially attracted to wet or damp wood in dark places. They burrow into the wood by gnawing through the material and making trails through the wood that can weaken the wood itself causing problem with the integrity of the wood. The amount of damage a termite can do is multiplied by the fact that there is more than one termite working on the wood. They work together to get food for the colony and thus cause a huge amount of damage to your structure.

Most places that are targeted by termites within a structure are the wood beams and frames, window sills, sub floors, and door frames. When you look for the damage and know what to look for, you’ll be able to realize the amount of damage a termite can do to a home. It can be very surprising and even shocking. The first step toward saving your home or building is education. Know what to look for and how it can work against your home when you have a termite infestation.

One woman tells us that she had no idea about the amount of damage a termite can do. She never even thought about it until she felt a floorboard that was loose. She went outside and saw a swarm of bugs around the foundation of her house, and she began to do some research. A pest control company was called in and she found out that she did, indeed, have a termite infestation. What surprised her the most was when the termite inspector showed her the amount of damage that a termite could do as she looked into the hole the inspector had cut into her wall. She was amazed and shocked.

Don’t let yourself wonder about the amount of damage a termite can do. Do your research either in the library or online. Realize that if you have termites, they can really wreak havoc on your home or building and cause damage that could cost hundreds of dollars to repair. The amount of damage a termite can do is overwhelming, but you can stop the problem in its tracks if you act fast. So get busy!

There are many questions that have arisen in our courts regarding Allstate indemnity coverage and termite damage that have caused policy holders some real headaches.  Basically, an indemnity policy is a protection again future loss for a property owner that may be filed by another person.   Most of the time, a problem comes into play during a real estate transaction in the case of termite damage.  In fact, there was a case involving Allstate Indemnity Coverage and Termite Damage that was filed by a buyer against a seller several years ago.

Essentially what happened in that case is that the buyer of a piece of property found out that there was termite damage to a home.  They sued the sellers for not disclosing the problem at which time, the seller tried to fall back on their Allstate indemnity coverage and termite damage clause in the policy.  Allstate denied the claim thus making the seller responsible for fixing the damage and compensating the buyers.  The buyers also had Allstate insurance and tried to file again their own homeowner’s policy which was also subsequently denied.

At that point, the buyers and sellers teams up to file their own suit against Allstate for breach of conditions in the policy that they believed covered them against structural damage due to termites.  Allstate, of course fought back and argued that a homeowner’s policy generally doesn’t cover termite damage to a structure and will pay only if another party is harmed.  The Allstate indemnity coverage and termite damage clause did not, they argued, cover pre-existing termite damage and no one was physically injured so the lawsuit should be dismissed.

After a lot of legal wrangling, a settlement was reached, but that lawsuit caused a lot of insurance companies to more specifically spell out the exact terms of their indemnity coverage when it comes to termite damage.  The Allstate indemnity coverage and termite damage case made a lot of home owner’s policies change quite a bit and now most indemnity policies don’t offer much coverage at all unless there is physical injury directly caused by termite damage on a property.

Allstate indemnity coverage and termite damage actually did many homeowners a favor by spelling out specifically what is covered and what is not.  The lawsuit may have been an eye-opener for the insurance industry that ended up working out to the advantage of the home owner as opposed to the big business of the insurance industry.