do it yourself pest control, info, ants, termites, spiders, bed bugs, rodents, supplies, products, mouse, rats, traps, baits, insecticides, roaches, moles, mole control, mole bait, ant bait, maxforce, flies,fly control products,termite baits, termidor, carpenter ants, carpet beetles, brown recluse, black widow,fire ants,ladybugs,mosquitoes fast and free delivery

shop here for do it yourself pest control products and supplies
Shop Here
  Follow diypestcontrol on Twitter

TERMITE PICTURES, TERMITE TREATMENTS, TERMITE PEST CONTROL


 
 

Termite Overview

Subterranean Termite

Non-subterranean termites and other Wood Destroying insects

Traditional termite treatments-chemical

Termite baiting systems

Home Inspections-Pictures

How to Choose a Professional Termite Company

Can I do my own termite work?

How to do your own termite baiting.


On line products

FAQ's

Entomology Links about Termites


TERMITE BAITING KITS- SAVE MONEY!

 

If you have any questions, e-mail us
or call: 1-800-476-3368

 

      
   

OVERVIEW OF TERMITES

TERMITE OVERVIEW

SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES AND DRYWOOD TERMITES - At A GLANCE CHART

DO I HAVE ANTS OR TERMITES?









TERMITE OVERVIEW

There are three major groups of termites which occur in the United States: dry wood, subterranean and Formosan. Termites are identified by the appearance of the swarmers, their damage, and the droppings they leave behind.

The two most common types of termites are "drywood" and "ground," or subterranean termites. Subterranean termites cause about 95% of the termite-related damage found in the United States. Both types of termites eat cellulose for nutrition. Cellulose is found in wood and wood products.

Drywood termites restrict their attack of wood structures to a narrow geographic band that extends from Florida to California. Dampwood termites are common to the Pacific Northwest.

Termites are the major wood-destroying structural pests in the southern United States. According to some estimates, over $2 billion is spent annually controlling or preventing termite infestations.

The advent of centrally heated homes has made it possible for termites to become a threat in virtually every region and state in the U.S. On the average, there could be as many as 13 to 14 subterranean termite colonies per acre, which means that a typical home may easily have three to four colonies situated under or around it. And because there can be as many as 1,000,000 subterranean termites per colony, the threat of infestation becomes a very real one indeed.

Termites have been able to survive for over 250 million years. Because of the highly structured nature of the colonies, termites are able to more efficiently adapt to changing environments.

Your home is naturally close to termite colonies. Foundations are usually built above the water table, and below the frost line, near where termites live.

Termites don't distinguish between the wood in your home and the wood in the forest to feed their nutritional needs.

Termites can not digest the wood directly. The protozoans that live in their guts break down the cellulose into simpler compounds for the termites to absorb.

Concrete slab and basement foundations are some of the most susceptible types of construction. Termites only need a crack of one-sixty-fourth inch in the slab floor to gain entrance into your home.

Termites are able to travel up to 130 feet from the colony -- and once they discover a food source, they leave a "chemical trail" for others to follow.

Termites work 24 hours a day. "Worker" termites bring food to the colony through tunnels, without ever resting.

Termites need moisture to survive and will die if exposed to sunlight or open air. Their tunnels protect them from the elements. High moisture areas like basements and crawl spaces are very attractive to termites and can serve as starting points for infestation. Once in, termites can infest virtually any part of your home -- wood trim, siding, wallboard, even picture frames.



RETURN TO THE TOP




SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES AND DRYWOOD TERMITES - A QUICK COMPARISON
SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES DRYWOOD TERMITES
FOOD AND MOISTURE Need a great deal of moisture such as from soil, and damp wood, Cellulose (from wood) is their diet. Moisture requirements are minimal. Cellulose(from wood ) is their diet.
HABITAT Usually they live in the soil, but can be above ground if enough moisture is present. They have large colonies. They live within the wood,no soil contact required to keep moist. Colony size is small.
EVIDENCE OF ACTIVITY Protective mud tubes ascending from the ground to the structure or protruding from walls, etc. (See link for Pictures)

Termite swarming within the structure

Their fecal material looks "sand like". Kick-out holes on the walls,ceilings or wood.
PREVENTION Treat the soil before construction-pretreat with an termiticide. For more information go toTraditional soil treatments.

A termite bait station monitoring system to monitor termite activity and bait placements after detection.

Regular inspections by a pest control company or yourself if qualified.

Use treated lumber during construction.

Coat any untreated wood or exposed wood with TIMBOR or BORACARE

CONTROL MEASURES With current activity:use a baiting program or a termite barrier treatment. Keep a monitoring system, either with bait stations or inspections. For complete treatment:
Tent fumigation.

For spot treatments:
Locate kick out holes.
Lightly puncture hole to inject DRIONE DUST or an aerosol like INVADER

See DRYWOOD TERMITESfor recommended procedures.







RETURN TO THE TOP











DO I HAVE ANTS OR TERMITES ?

Drawing- a courtesy of University of Nebraska-Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
   

Do I have ants or termites? This can be a very troublesome question. Some of the flying winged ants can resemble the winged-swarming termite. Here are some ways do identify the difference between the physical resemblance.

  1. While both species have four wings, the termite wings are all the same size and the ant wings have noticeably larger wings in the front as compared to the hind pair.
  2. Termites have an almost straight antennae, the ants antennae are elbowed.
  3. Termite wings are twice as long as the body.
  4. Ants appear distinctly segmented, because of their thin-waisted appearance. Termites have a broad-waisted appearance.

  5. CARPENTER ANTS:

    Carpenter ants are black or brown and measure up to 1" in length. They are often confused with termites. Unlike termites they have pinched waists and elbowed antennae. Termites have straight bodies and antennae. As with termites, there is a winged version too.

    Carpenter ants can do significant structural damage, but are more a nuisance than a structural problem.

    Investigation:

    There are several ways to recognize a carpenter ant infestation:

  6. Swarmers: Winged form of the carpenter ant in a great number
  7. Sawdust: If you see sawdust(frass) raining from your ceiling or from any indoor cracks.
  8. If you see more than 10 ants a day in any room other than the kitchen.
  9. If you see ants in your home and the ground outside is frozen.
  10. Crunching Noise: If you hear munching, rustling or crunching noise coming from within a window sill, wall or ceiling.
  11. For further information on carpenter ants go to:  

    CARPENTER ANTS: Identification and Recommendations.


    RETURN TO THE TOP

 

For more information regarding general pests, go to PEST INFORMATION

For customers who would like to order our products feel free to use our Secure Shopping cart or feel free to use call our toll free number.

PRIVACY POLICY:  User information is used for internal purposes only, is not shared or sold.

©2000 Do-It-Yourself Pest Control, Inc. This work is the property of Do-It-Yourself Pest Control, Inc., including all copyrights and compilation rights. Use, reproduction, modification, or distribution without permission is strictly prohibited. All rights reserved.