Those "Ants" Might Be Termites.
Winged termites are often mistaken for ants.
Here's how to tell them apart. Ant wings are
different sizes; termite wings are all the same
size. Ants have elbowed antennae; termites
have short,straight,beaded antennae. Don't
be fooled by color or size: ants can vary in size,
and winged termites can be brown or black.
Home Maintenance Tips
When it comes to gaining access to your home, termites are amazingly proficient. The best way
to ensure your home remains termite-free is to hire a licensed, trained pest control professional,
who will treat your home with the most effective termite products available and provide ongoing
care and maintenance. That said, the last thing you want to do is make the job of termites any easier. Taking a few of the following simple steps can help keep your home termite-free:
*Trim all shrubs, bushes, and other dense greenery away from the foundation of
your home. Move mulch away from the foundation as well.
* Don't store firewood against your home; it's a magnet for termites. If you do keep
firewood outside your house during the winter, keep it raised off the ground.
* Remove the lumber, tree stumps and other kinds of loose wood that may be adjacent
the permiter of your home.
* Fix any leaky pipes and eliminate any standing water near your home. Termites
need moisture as well as wood to survive.
* Keep gutters and downspouts free of accumulated leaves and debris. Clogs and
obstructions can lead to moisture problems, which may support termite populations.
* Seal all cracks and holes in your homes foundation, which may provide a handy
access point for termites.
Will using mulch enhance the chances
of experiencing a termite infestation?
Certainly, the purpose of placing mulch around a property is to enhance moisture, modulate
temperatures, decreases weeds, and increase aesthetics of the property. These moisture and
temperature changes, however, also enhance the environment for termites, and many types of
mulch are cellulose-based, which can be a food source for termites.
That being said, the use of mulch is still a good idea, providing multiple benefits to the home. Homeowners can still protect their homes from termites by engaging a pest control professional to do a yearly inspection on the property and to help catch new termite infestations and point out other conducive areas. Termite professionals suggest you consider a preventative treatment to keep termites from entering the home. Such a preventative termite treatment would include a nonrepellent or undetectable material, a newer technology that has an excellent performance record.
Mulch management otions may also include:
* Use non-cellulose mulch; for example, lava rock or river rock
* Turn mulch periodically
* Keep a six to eight inch gap between the top of the mulch and the
lower part of the home's siding.
* Keep vegetation properly trimmed and away from the home.
* Ensure drainage is away from the foundation.
Can termites tunnel through cement?
* Subterranean termites do not eat or damage cement block. However,
they can tunnel through cracks, joints, missing mortar joints, etc. In
this manner, they can enter into a structure and damage wood they
come in contact with. The wood may or may not be structural. It
could be furniture, pictures, paintings, etc.
Do termites bite humans? Can termites cause infection?
* Termites are not pests of medical importance. They will not bite, sting,
or transmit diseases to humans or pets. The main concern is if the termite
causes damage to a home or structure becomes severe enough, it could lead
to poor construction maintenance and possible safety concerns. There have
been cases where termite infestations were so severe that the damage, along
with other structural defects, helped officials make decisions on condenming the
property due to safety issues. Certainly, the presence of a termite infestation does
not mean that a curative treatment has to be applied immediately. However,
corrective action and treatments should be provided in a reasonable time frame.
