7 Tips to Prevent
Termites from
Eating You Out of
House & Home
Call Larue - We Know Just What To Do!
A Free eBook Provided By:
Larue Pest Management
Learn more by visiting www.LaruePest.com or by calling (800) 314-8813
Copyright © 2011 Larue Pest Management. All Rights Reserved.
7 Tips to Prevent Termites from Eating You Out of House & Home
Table of Contents
#1: What Are Termites?!
3
#2: Do I Have Ants or Termites?!
4
#3: Extermination - How to Treat Termites!
6
#4: Where Do Termites Come From?!
7
#5: Termite Prevention!
8
#6: Termite Inspection!
9
#7: Termites -A Source of Power!
Learn more by visiting www.LaruePest.com or by calling (800) 314-8813
Copyright © 2011 Larue Pest Management. All Rights Reserved.
10
7 Tips to Prevent Termites from Eating You Out of House & Home
#1: What Are Termites?
So, before we launch into the world of termites (we know you must be excited about
that!), let’s review exactly what these creatures are. Our sentiment is...you must know
your enemy if you are to effectively fight them!
Termites tend to be social creatures. They look out for their own, and are very familycentric. In fact, they live with several hundred to several million family members who all
work together to find cellulose food sources that will grow the colony.
As you are probably aware, these little creatures can be very successful in their foraging
efforts, using a cooperation called “swarm intelligence”. In fact, they are so successful in
these food hunting systems that they can LITERALLY eat you out of house and home.
A typical termite colony includes the following members:
Workers - they have soft, light-colored bodies about the size of a grain of rice. They
live in the dark tunnels running through the soil and into the wooden frames of buildings.
They forage for food 24/7, and tend the queen. The juveniles, also called “nymphs”,
groom and feed one another and the other members of the colony.
Soldiers - have long heads with powerful jaws and are responsible for defense
Reproductive - these are male and female termites that develop wings and leave the
colony in a swarm to mate and start
new colonies.
Queen - the largest member of the
colony, up to 10 cm. long! If she
needs to move, several hundred
workers must push her at once.
She lays an egg every 15 seconds
and will be replaced by another
reproductive if she dies.
Although termites are small
creatures, their collective forces can
be extremely powerful! They have
achieved such feats as hollowing
huge trees, moving vast amounts of
soil, and, of course, eating your
house!
Two queen termites surrounded by workers
No one knows the enemy as well as us! If you’d like to learn more about
termite control, protection, & service call (800) 314-8813 or contact us now!
Learn more by visiting www.LaruePest.com or by calling (800) 314-8813
Copyright © 2011 Larue Pest Management. All Rights Reserved.
7 Tips to Prevent Termites from Eating You Out of House & Home
#2: Do I Have Ants or Termites?
How to Tell the Difference
Determining the difference between subterranean termites and winged ants during the
Spring swarming season in Florida can be difficult. Often, flying winged ants can
resemble the winged-swarming termite.
For example, BOTH termites and ants...
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Are small with 6 legs, a head, thorax, and abdomen
Have species that can be tiny or big
Have queens who lay eggs and kings who fertilize them
Have a worker caste who do most of the running around and hauling
Have soldiers who defend the nest
Now, when it comes to species, ants far
outnumber termites in the variety. There are
about 4,000 species of termites, but ants
have close to 14,000!
Although they have many similarities, ants
and termites do have some distinctive
differences. If you know these differences, it
is actually quite easy to tell apart termites
from flying ants, you won’t even need a
microscope.
When the bug is standing relatively still, look
for these characteristics.
Wings:
• Flying termites have 2 pairs of wings
that are the same size and shape, and
are twice as long as their body.
• Flying ants, however, have front wings
that are larger than their hind ones and
are generally no longer than their body.
Body:
• Termites have a two-segmented body,
with fairly short legs
• Ants have a three-segmented body,
narrow waist, longer legs
Winged Termites (Formosan subterranean termite alates)
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Copyright © 2011 Larue Pest Management. All Rights Reserved.
7 Tips to Prevent Termites from Eating You Out of House & Home
Midsection:
• Termites do not have a slender waist, their entire body is basically the same
width around
• Ants have “wasp waists” (meaning it is a very narrow connection between the
thorax and abdomen, just like in wasps)
Antenna:
• Termites have straight antennae, like a string of pearls
• Ants’ antennae are bent like elbows and longer
Color:
• Termites have softer bodies and are typically whitish, often almost see-through.
You can usually see the food in their gut, but the winged ones are usually much
darker
• Ants have darker, more hardened skin, and are usually black, dark red, or brown
In addition to their physical differences, ants and termites also behave differently. Ants
are almost always easier to find,
and often live in visible holes or
nests. They may also come
from cracks in the concrete, and
their nests are formed by
removing earth from holes they
dig in the ground.
Termites, however, are usually
hidden. They often enter a
wooden home and seal the
entrance. They may also live in
the soil and form tunnels to get
to and from their feeding
ground...wood.
They also have different eating
habits. Ants feed on just about
anything, from anything sweet,
to leaves, vegetables, and even
other bugs. Termites stick to a
very strict diet of only...you
guessed it...wood.
Flying Ant
To learn more about formosan subterranean termites, you may also like our
other eBook 5 Things You Need to Know About Subterranean Termites.
Learn more by visiting www.LaruePest.com or by calling (800) 314-8813
Copyright © 2011 Larue Pest Management. All Rights Reserved.
7 Tips to Prevent Termites from Eating You Out of House & Home
#3: Extermination - How to Treat Termites
If you discover that your house is under attack by termites, it is important to treat the
problem right away. Should you do it yourself?
No. Termite inspections and treatments can be highly specialized procedures.
Treatment is ALWAYS best left to licensed, trained pest management professionals.
Although some do-it-yourself remedies exist, most technologically advanced materials
are not available to the general public. Proper treatment usually requires specific tools
and techniques for inspection and application of materials, and requires up-to-date
training and experience. Many structures and sites are complex and have unique
characteristics that are best treated by a pest control professional.
What treatment options are available?
Subterranean termite treatments are generally broken down into two categories:
1. Termite bait systems
2. Liquid termite treatments
Both treatments offer proven termite control, but the method chosen should be based
on the current infestation, construction type and environmental conditions.
Termite bait systems:
The Sentricon System is the first and most successful termite baiting system. It has
been proven to eliminate termite colonies by independent research at 30 universities,
reported in 45 published scientific articles, and by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Sentricon uses only a few grams of active ingredient in a cellulose matrix that termites
love to eat. This termite bait is placed strategically in in-ground Sentricon stations in
areas where termites are or may be active. Termites feed on the termite bait and share it
with nest-mates until the colony dies. The Sentricon System requires no drilling in floors
or foundations, no digging or trenching and no gallons of chemical solution injected in
the soil.
Liquid barrier treatments:
These treatments involve creating a protected zone in the soil around the perimeter of
your home to prevent entry by termites. In some cases, it may may require drilling
through foundations and floors. New chemistry, such as Altriset from DuPont, can
provide extremely effective control with very low impact on the environment.
After treatment, your pest control professionals should continue to monitor for any new
colonies that move in.
Is your home in need of termite protection?
Call Larue...We Know Just What to Do! (800) 314-8813.
Learn more by visiting www.LaruePest.com or by calling (800) 314-8813
Copyright © 2011 Larue Pest Management. All Rights Reserved.
7 Tips to Prevent Termites from Eating You Out of House & Home
#4: Where Do Termites Come From?
Termites are highly social insects.
Within the colony, hundreds,
thousands, and sometimes
millions of termites work and live
together.
There are two main types of
termites that attack structures here
in Florida. The subterranean
termite and the drywood termite.
Subterranean termites usually live
underground where they
constantly tunnel for food.
Drywood termites live completely
inside the wood they are infesting
and never have contact with the
soil. Correct identification of
termites in a structure is extremely
important.
Most subterranean termites enter
structures from the ground. A
structure that contains wood,
including trees, near the
foundation often becomes infested.
The termites then move to other areas of a house and continue to destroy the wood.
A neighbor’s termites won’t necessarily become yours, but there is a real risk. With
these termites traveling from 50-75 feet from the nest to feed and not knowing exactly
where that nest is, there is a good chance you are within reach.
Research here in Florida has shown that:
•
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Multiple colonies exist on each acre of land
These termite colonies are constantly and randomly foraging for food!
That’s why having some sort of preventative termite treatment in place such as the
Sentricon System, which targets the colony, is more than just a good idea, it’s essential!
Waiting until a problem is discovered can be a costly mistake.
We can help you discover the root of a potential termite problem. Call (800)
314-8813 or contact us before it goes any further!
Learn more by visiting www.LaruePest.com or by calling (800) 314-8813
Copyright © 2011 Larue Pest Management. All Rights Reserved.
7 Tips to Prevent Termites from Eating You Out of House & Home
#5: Termite Prevention
The number one way to prevent termites is proper maintenance of your home. Try to
eliminate and prevent conditions that are conducive to termite activity in or around your
home, such as unmaintained landscaping or wood structures lying near the foundation.
In areas of high volume of termite
damage such as Southwest Florida,
termite prevention should be a part of
annual home maintenance. This will
help ensure that you detect termite
infestations as early as possible.
Here are some preventative measures
you can take to help you AVOID
termites!
Mulch and landscaping - Moisture in
the soil may attract termites to the area
and cellulose-containing mulches may
be eaten by termites. Never spread
mulch so that it touches the foundation
or siding on your home!
Siding - Siding should always be at
least 6-inches (preferably higher) above
the grade or soil line. Flower beds and
other gardening should never touch the foundation. Also, you should never dig up the
soil up within 12 inches of the house, as this is the area that was treated for termites.
Anticipate Your Plant Growth - When planting shrubs, you should think about how
large the plants will be in 10-15 years. Do not plant shrubs too close to the foundation,
as they may hide termite activity. Tree or shrub limbs that are touching the house can
also provide an entry point.
Clothes Dryer Ducts - These should vent to the exterior of the house. A disconnected
or damaged duct will vent warm moist air into the crawlspace, creating conditions
conducive to termites.
Rehang or Replace Fallen Insulation - Fallen insulation may lead to moisture
problems and the paper backing on insulation laying on the ground can be attacked by
termites.
Prevention is key! Call (800) 314-8813.
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Learn more by visiting www.LaruePest.com or by calling (800) 314-8813
Copyright © 2011 Larue Pest Management. All Rights Reserved.
7 Tips to Prevent Termites from Eating You Out of House & Home
#6: Termite Inspection
An annual inspection by a pest control professional is the best way to head off these
pests before they eat you out of house and home. However, you should make it a point
to do your own "mini-inspections" during routine maintenance and household chores.
Here are some tips for what to look for:
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Sheetrock and paneling may have a "blistered" appearance and may break open
easily where termites have been feeding
Check the exterior foundation for mud tubes. This is particularly important for
houses built on slabs
Check the wall where the termites may have chewed through the covering. There
may be remnants of soil or chewed wood.
Tap on the wood with the handle of a screwdriver to listen for "hollow" or
damaged spots.
Check window frames for soft/decaying wood. Moist wood is vulnerable to
termite attack
An annual termite inspection is also a good idea if your home or neighborhood has a
history of termite damage or activity. The reality is that certain products used for termite
control break down over
time and even if you or your
neighbor’s homes were
treated in the past, reinfestation can and does
occur.
In fact, many of the
products used to control
termites in the past were
designed to repel termites
from a structure doing
nothing to actually eliminate
the colonies therefore these
colonies continued to
reproduce and get larger
increasing the chance of
future infestations.
Did you know that you can request a free termite inspection from Larue
Pest Management? If termites are slowly devouring your home, DO NOT
procrastinate any longer, especially when the inspection is FREE!
Learn more by visiting www.LaruePest.com or by calling (800) 314-8813
Copyright © 2011 Larue Pest Management. All Rights Reserved.
7 Tips to Prevent Termites from Eating You Out of House & Home
#7: Termites -A Source of Power
There is a Nobel Prize winning scientist named Steven Chu that has discovered a way
to turn termites from home eating pests, to a limitless fuel source. He’s not claiming that
termites can save the world. However, he does believe that they can lead to cheap,
clean-burning, and virtually limitless fuel.
The US Department of Energy is currently researching ways to replace fossil fuels with
renewable sources of cleaner energy. Termites are considered a possible way to reach
this goal through something called metagenomics (the study of metagenomes, genetic
material recovered directly from environmental samples).
So, how is it possible to turn these pests into power sources?
Basically, there are natural processes that allow termites to turn the hard fabric of plant
material -- cellulose -- into an ethanol-like fuel.
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Termites may produce up to two liters of hydrogen from digesting a single sheet
of paper. This makes them one of the planet's most efficient bioreactors.
They have the metabolic capabilities of about 200 different species of microbes
that live in their hind-guts.
The microbes in the termite gut are able to manufacture large quantities of
hydrogen.
The polymers within wood are broken down into simple sugars by fermenting
bacteria in the termite's gut, using enzymes that produce hydrogen as a
byproduct.
A second wave of bacteria uses the simple sugars and hydrogen to make the
acetate the termite requires for energy.
If we have a better understanding of these biochemical pathways, we can determine
which enzymes are used to create hydrogen, and which genes produce them.
Steven Chu envisions creating a whole new class of tiny microbes that are genetically
engineered to produce far more fuel, or ethanol, than they need to survive. They would
basically be tailor-made versions of the microbes that convert cellulose to fuel for
termites.
Perhaps one day we will find these pests useful. But, for now, they are one of the most
damaging threats to your home! Termite damage is more common than damage caused
by fire, storms, or earthquakes.
There are many other ways to get in touch with us if you are having trouble
with termites. Become a fan on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or become
part of our LinkedIn Network.
Learn more by visiting www.LaruePest.com or by calling (800) 314-8813
Copyright © 2011 Larue Pest Management. All Rights Reserved.