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There are 3 main types of termites: drywood, dampwood and subterranean. Every type of termite colony includes workers (who eat your house), soldiers (who defend others from predators such as ants) and swarmers (flyers who locate new areas to colonize). Although you dont generally see termites unless theyre swarming (flying), its good to know how to identify them,'' Wilson states.

Drywood termites commonly possess a brown body with a reddish head. Swarmers have absolute, tan wings although there are colour variations. Workers are pale, tan and look like maggots, with no wings.

Dampwood termites are similar to drywood termites, often with a tan or brown body and absolute wings. These employees also resemble maggots.

Subterranean termites are somewhat smaller than their above-ground brethren with black bodies and sheer wings for the flyers. The employees are smaller, white and maggot-like.

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Drywood termites are partial to dry, nondecayed timber and often end up in attics, flooring boards and window frames.

Dampwood termites like decaying wood or wood that is rich with moisture. They often strike wood that is making contact with the ground and are found in areas with high rainfall or humidity.

Subterranean termites will eat soft (moisture-rich) wood and drywood, however they initially make contact with your home through the ground.

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Drywood and dampwood termites enter your house through small cracks, often around window frames throughout cracks in the caulk. Make sure you check around windows regularly and reapply caulk when it begins to show signs of age and cracking. Swarmers shed their wings and float into the wood. Cracks in paint are another easy access point for termites.

Be mindful of maintaining your outside paint. For instance, when you hammer Christmas lights then take the nails out, you leave behind little holes and create an open doorway for a termite colony. .

Subterranean termites often burrow into cracks in the homes foundation. In regions like the San Francisco Bay Area, many homes have increased foundations, Wilson states. Termites build mud tubes around the bottom floor, often along posts. But even in the absence of posts, Wilson states , mud tubes can stretch from the ground up through thin air to connect with the bottom of the home. .

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So what do you do if you find a termite in your house If you see one drop wing or one termite flying by, it doesnt mean you've got an infestation. But if you see a group of shed wings or any of the other warning signs noted above, its best to find a professional inspection.

Termites are in fact simple to kill, Wilson states, but you need a termiticide to do it. Unfortunately, good pesticides are not readily available to the public. Most home stores promote termite spray, but those are watered down to meet public security specifications, so theyre not as successful.

If you have an infestation that's isolated to one part of your house, state the door https://innovativepestcontroladelaide.com.au/termite-treatment-adelaide/ trim, you can substitute the trimming, Wilson says. But in case you've got a full-on termite infestation, you need a bigger scale treatment.

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Subterranean termites have to be cut off from the home at the soil. Pacific Coast Termites creates a chemical barrier between any areas of grime and the house, in addition to around the entire house. It acts as a shield that the termites cant break through.

Drywood and dampwood termites can be killed with a timber treatment product like XT2000 Orange Oil, which can be injected under pressure into the wood through ink-pen-sized holes. This product saturates the timber and will prevent future infestations. Treating a moderate infestation this way takes approximately four to six hours.

Homes that are massively infested (you can see termites everywhere) can require fumigation. Either a huge tent is placed over your home, or all the doors and windows are sealed, and the residence is gassed with pesticide that will kill all the termites. This process can take anywhere from six hours to one week, depending on the kind of infestation.

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Employ an excellent, quality coat of paint on your property, since termites wont consume through paint. Ensure that all windows, doorframes and foundation openings are caulked and sealed. Dont basic or nail up Christmas lights then yank them down. The tiny holes make termite homes. Instead, either abandon the nails in the holes year-round or fill out the holes when you eliminate the nails. .

Quickly solve any plumbing leaks, standing water on your roof or other issues involving decaying wood. Provide proper ventilation under your raised home to maintain that area dry. Subterranean termites adore wetness.