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One method is to walk around the outside of the home and caulk or repair cracks, gaps, and crevices where termites (and other pests) may be able to gain entry. Some of the most common culprits are windows and doors, but anywhere that pipes or ductwork are routed outside will also need to be checked. Subterranean and dampwood termites love moisture, so repairing leaks in the home’s plumbing or roof will make it less attractive to these varieties. Lastly, for new builds or repairs, choosing materials like termite-resistant wood can stop an infestation before it begins.
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Termites can establish themselves in your home via a swarm, or you can introduce a termite colony on a piece of furniture. In termite rich environments, there is no way to guarantee against termites, but there are a few ways to minimize your exposure. If you take the necessary steps, and continue termite prevention and exterior home maintenance, you will keep termites away for good. Get your home regularly inspected by a professional to keep termites at bay. To make such determinations, we require more than 100 different scientific studies and tests from applicants. Most states also review the pesticide label to ensure that it complies with federal labeling requirements and any additional state restrictions of use.
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To learn about the habits of termites in your area and state pesticide regulations, contact your state university or local cooperative extension service. Useful in houses with inaccessible crawl spaces or slab foundations, where termites can sneak up through cracks into interior walls. Most any breed can be trained to sniff out the methane termites emit as they digest wood.
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The damage caused by flying ants is also not nearly as destructive as that of termites. Termites are notorious for eating wood, causing it to become hollow and warped. Sometimes termite colonies can go unnoticed for months or even years before their presence is discovered by homeowners. In these cases, it will be extremely difficult to eliminate them without the help of a professional. By contrast, flying ants do not eat wood and instead are more likely to raid the pantry or trash can for their meals.
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A homeowner may be dealing with either dry rot, which is discolored but appears dry, or wet rot, which is softer and more outwardly degraded. If you need to eliminate a large infestation or aren’t interested in taking an at-home approach to pest control, consider professional extermination companies such as Terminix or Orkin. Business owners and homeowners spend more than $2 billion every year treating damage from termites, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To avoid becoming part of this statistic, you’ll want to start treating your home right away. Your technician will also strategically install termite bait stations around the perimeter of your home.
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You could start with the below methods and see how effective they are, but there’s a chance you’ll need to resort to stronger measures with help from a professional. Drywood termites are unique in that they nest directly in wood, not in the soil, so different control measures must be used to control them, Webb says. Drywood termites are found commonly in central and southern California, Hawaii, and in central and south Florida.
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The best termite control companies (like Terminix or Ehrlich) also offer guarantees that they will return and apply additional treatments if the problem persists. Additionally, depending on the amount of damage termites have done, it may be necessary to bring in professionals to repair any structural damage that remains from the infestation. The best way to get rid of termites is to not have them to begin with. According to Dupuy, “Preventive treatments end up saving you the most money.
Since both termites and wood rot work quickly, it is imperative that you immediately contact professionals to assess and address any wood damage that you may notice, no matter how slight. In order to properly assess and repair your home, you first need to understand the difference between termite damage and wood rot, and then determine which kind you have. First, any rotten areas will need to be removed in boards or joists and the space filled with wood filler or a wood patch. If an entire board or joist is rotten, an experienced contractor can remove and replace it.
Unlike subterranean termites that need moisture from the soil, drywood termites thrive in dry wood, including furniture and exposed wood. Sometimes the infestation is small and can be remedied quickly, like by the removal of a piece of furniture they have burrowed their way into. Other times, the infestation can spread and cause extensive damage from the termites’ tunneling through wooden beams or other wooden parts of a home’s structure. Both termite damage and wood rot can extensively damage the structural integrity of your home. Even worse, it is possible for the two to mutually encourage one another.
Although flying termites aren't harmful, they may indicate a wider termite issue in your home, which can be a serious problem if not dealt with immediately. With more than 10 years of experience in the media industry, she has covered everything from the best gifts for new homeowners to how to remove a bird’s nest or move across the country. When she’s not wearing her writer’s hat, she’s chasing her two kids around their Dallas home, perfecting her baking skills, or reading the latest best-selling thriller.
The Best Termite Treatments of 2023 - Top Picks by Bob Vila - Bob Vila
The Best Termite Treatments of 2023 - Top Picks by Bob Vila.
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It can also mimic the appearance of water damage, with peeling paint and the presence of a musty scent similar to mildew or mold. During moderately warm weather, flying termites emerge from hidden spaces to find new wood to set up a new colony. There may be swarms of flying termites around the house or yard during their search for a mate and home. Identifying the source of the swarm can help homeowners find the rest of the colony.
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