Termite Identification

If you think you might have a problem with termites, it can be advantageous to have pictures of termite damage that you can refer to when you are looking around your home for evidence.  Having pictures of termite damage to refer to can help you look for the same types of damage in your own home and that can be extremely helpful so that you know exactly what to look for. Termites can cause an alarming amount of damage to the wood of a structure.  They can decimate the foundation and the wood that holds the home together making it unsafe to live in and leading to possible hundreds of dollars of damage in repairs.  Pictures of termite damage can be found in many places, but your best bet is to look on the Internet.  Use your favorite search engine and type in the words “pictures of termite damage”. 

You will find hundreds of pictures out there on the World Wide Web and you may be shocked at what you find in those images. What might be even more disturbing when looking at pictures of termite damage is realizing that the same type of damage could be happening in your home and you may not even know it!  Termites can be devastating to homes and buildings made of wood.  They can infest in seconds and where there is one, there are hundreds.  The worker termites burrow through the wood gathering food for the rest of the colony that will sustain them and help the colony grow. Another advantage to having pictures of termite damage is so that you have a reference point when doing a self-check of your home to see if you might have a termite problem.  The termites leave very specific trails and evidence when they have been someplace.  Referring to pictures of termite damage that you have found can make identification easier.  Once you’ve identified a possible problem, then you can take steps toward getting a professional inspection and start treatment right away. Pay special attention to pictures of termite damage and realize that the devastation that these insects can cause is almost unimaginable. 

The key to locating and eradicating termites is to educate yourself about these wood boring pests.  That’s why you should find pictures of termite damage and realize that without knowing what to look for, you may be clueless and be unable to identify a possible problem.  Then you can take steps to make sure that your home doesn’t end up as one of the pictures of termite damage on the Internet.

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If you suspect that you may have a termite problem, it can be helpful to find some photos of termite damage infestation to help you realize not only what could happen to your home, but also what to look for when you are inspecting your home. 

There are many places you can find photos of termite damage infestation, but the best place to start with is on the Internet.  Many pest control companies are committed to educating the home owner on termites and termite damage, so they publish photos of termite damage infestation on their websites so the average person knows what termites can do to a structure. Use your favorite search engine and enter “photos termite damage infestation”.  If you use Google, they have a separate section above the search box that says “Image”.  Click on that and you will find hundreds of photos of termite damage infestation.  It can help if you print out these pictures so that you can have a reference point when you start looking in your home for evidence of termites. 

Any responsible home or building owner needs to periodically look around the structure to try and find any evidence of termite damage.  If your home or building has termites, you absolutely must take steps to eradicate the problem before they take over your home and cause irreparable damage. Photos of termite damage infestation can be quite shocking when you see them.  When the termites eat through the wood of a structure and are left untreated to do their work, they can literally eat through an amazing amount of wood that can structurally damage the building and make it unsafe to live in.  Then the repairs that must be made can be extremely expensive and often extensive.  That’s why you should take steps to look at photos of termite damage infestation to spur you towards not only having your home inspected for termites, but also to pursue treatment of the home so that you don’t find yourself with the same damage shown in the photos.

The last thing you want to have happen is to have your home taken over by these damaging insects.  They are a fact of life in the world of nature, and while they serve no useful purpose, they’re not going away.  Find photos of termite damage infestation and remember what is shown in those photos.  Then take steps to make sure that your home doesn’t show up in the photos of termite damage infestation on the Internet as well.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Termite Identification Treatment & Control

One of the most effective products on the market today in the field of pest control is Phantom termite treatment used for the extermination and prevention of termite infestation. 

Phantom termiticide-insecticide is a remarkable termite control product, employing the world’s most advanced termite pest control technology. It is also the most vital component of an effective termite treatment plan. In some of the most extensive testing a pest control product has ever been subjected to, Phantom has consistently proven to provide superior termite control under almost any condition. And, Phantom is proving to be highly impressive at keeping termites from coming back.

Long-term field trials by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service showed no signs of re-infestation at over 98% of study sites seven years after treatment by Phantom. Phantom termite treatment is highly flexible, utilizing effective non-repellent technology. In fact, nearly 500 Experimental Use Permit trials on actual real-world structures have proven Phantom effective against every key subterranean termite species- even in structures where other leading termiticides have failed.  Phantom termite treatment came onto the market in 2001, and since then, it has had consistently proven to be overly effective in the treatment and eradication of termites. As most homeowners know, termites can cause huge, devastating damage to a wood structure.  Often, that damage can cost hundreds to repair if it is even repairable.  That’s why it is so important to have a termite treatment plan for your structure that you stick to faithfully.  Once termites get into the wood of your structure and take over, it’s not all that difficult to get rid of them and prevent them from coming back.

Pest control companies all over the country agree that Phantom termite treatment is one of the best termiticides on the market and should always be included in all termite treatment programs that they develop.  Phantom termite treatment has even been called revolutionary because of its effectiveness in preventing and getting rid of termites. You should not try to get rid of termites on your own.  This is a complex project that requires certain skills that the everyday person doesn’t have.  Working with pesticides such as Phantom termite treatment requires special training which is why you really need to have the services of a professional pest control company treat your home.  And when you call the pest control company, be sure to let them know you want them to treat your home with Phantom termite treatment.  Let them know you want nothing but the best for your home and Phantom termite treatment is just that – the best!

CLICK HERE to learn more about Termite Identification Treatment & Control

The National Pest Management Association is the association that licensed and professional termite inspectors belong to, and they will provide to each pest control agent the NPMA-33 Termite Inspection Form that must be completed at the end of each termite inspection that they do.  Completion of the form will give both the NPMA information about the inspection and it will allow the homeowner as well as the termite inspector have a record of the inspection as it was done and what was found during the inspection.  The Npma-33 Termite Inspection Form can be found in a variety of places including certain pest control software that many termite inspectors use to keep track of their business.

The Npma-33 Termite Inspection Form is most often used during real estate transactions to provide evidence either of a termite infestation or evidence that the home is clean.  It can be request by the buyer, the seller, or the real estate agent.  The Npma-33 Termite Inspection Form is easy to use and easy to understand, but here are some of the finer points you should know about.

The first section of the Npma-33 termite inspection form gives general information about the location of the property being inspected and the specific areas being inspected.  The name of the inspection company, address, and phone number will also be displayed as well as their business license number.  The license number is the number given to the inspection company by the state they are registered in that gives them the permission to conduct pest control services according to your state’s guidelines.

After this section of the NPMA-33 termite inspection form, there should be some general information about the property being inspected including the address, the seller’s name, the buyer’s name, and the date of the inspection.  Included in this section of the NPMA-33 termite inspection form is the name of the inspector, his or her signature, license number, and credentials as issued by the state the inspection is taking place in.

Finally, we get to the “meat” of the NPMA-33 termite inspection form.  This is where the findings are listed specifically.  This section can include diagrams – and actually, it should.  These diagrams will show any infestations and any potential problem areas that should be concentrated on.  This part of the NPMA-33 termite inspection form should also list what types of pests are – or could be a problem – and any suggestions as to how to eradicate any existing or possible problems.

The NPMA-33 termite inspection form should be completed in its entirety and presented to any interested parties upon completion of the inspection.  The NPMA-33 termite inspection form should be completely filled out and have no spaces left blank.  After that, preventative treatment can commence or repair work can begin.

Many people are very cognizant about the chemicals that we use to control pests which is why there is a new trend toward natural termite treatment to rid our structures of these pesky and damaging insects.  While the use of chemicals is the most effective way to get rid of termites, you can still take measure with natural termite treatment to minimize the damage and keep termites out of your home or building.

Natural termite treatment is the use of termite prevention and control without chemical use. Instead, physical controls are installed during construction such as sand barriers or metal termite shields. If termite infestation does occur, least toxic methods of treatment are used.  What that means is that natural termite treatment is geared toward keeping those pests out instead of killing those who have already gotten in.

What you really need to do is use natural termite treatment to prevent termites from coming into your structure in the first place.  That means you won’t use chemicals to keep those pesky termites away, but you will use certain strategies to make sure that they have no food sources that will attract them to your place.

One of the first things you can do in natural termite treatment is to remove any source of chronic moisture since termites are attracted to damp wood for their food source.  Moist soil is necessary for termites to survive. Termites travel back and forth between soil and food sources because they must obtain moisture from the soil. In addition, capillary action and water vapor buildup can result in excessive dampness which can actually wick through a concrete slab or masonry foundation to the wood framing above it, thus attracting termites.

In above-ground foundations, moisture barrier films such as 6 mil polyethylene can be used to cover the area under the structure. This will help decrease moisture buildup in sub-flooring. Foundation wall vents should be placed to provide cross ventilation for homes with crawl spaces. If re-grading or remodeling covers vents, additional vents may be needed. Some experts recommend the use of moisture barriers under slab foundations as well in natural termite treatment programs.

Areas subject to moisture build-up, such as bathrooms, should be given special attention since they are likely to be attack areas. Areas under tubs and drains leading to the exterior (such as air conditioner drains) should be considered vulnerable spots. This is a very important part of natural termite treatment since elimination of moisture will take away the termite’s food source and they won’t come for a visit!

Natural termite treatment is a great way to keep our environment healthy and ecologically sound.  We should do what we can to make sure that our Earth survives despite our use of chemicals – and natural termite treatment is a great place to start!

One of the most exciting innovations in the pest control industry is the use of infrared technology and termite inspection.  Infrared technology is used to detect heat in small spaces and is perfect for use in the termite inspection because it can detect colonies that are massed together and make it easier for the pest control operator to pinpoint the location of the infestation and effectively get rid of the problem in one fell swoop.

Finding termites can be difficult, yet knowing where they are located is important when deciding on the correct eradication program. The traditional method is to simply tap on the wood with the back of a screwdriver, or to poke holes in walls or even pull them apart. Infrared technology and termite inspect now offers a new, high technological detection system that is quick, effective and does not require any damage to houses.

Infrared technology and termite inspection is being used with an increased frequency because it can easily detect the presence of termites by simply inserting a small camera at the end of a thin rod and then manipulating the camera around to find the termite swarms.  Because termites mass together to work on the wood, where there is one, there is always more.  That’s why infrared technology and termite inspection go hand in hand.

Thermal imaging technology detects heat patterns. When termites invade buildings, the normal heat patterns of the walls, floors and roof are changed due to the presence of termites. The thermal camera records this change in heat patterns and indicates the exact location of any termite infestation. A color image shows hot spots as red or yellow and cold spots as blue or purple and these heat patterns indicate termite infestations.  That means that infrared technology and termite inspection can be much more effective than the normal ways of doing a termite inspection.

However, termites are considered cold blooded insects, so how can they generate heat?  Termites are hosts to bacteria, which live in their gut, and these bacteria help break down and digest cellulose, the main component of wood. It is this digestion and chemical reaction that generates the heat.  That’s why infrared technology and termite inspection makes the location of termites much easier thus allowing the pest control company to target the specific areas where termites are located and make the treatment effective.  The pest control company that pairs infrared technology and termite inspection together is one that is highly effective and employing the latest tools in pest control so that they can do a great job for you – the consumer.

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!