Termites are a common nuisance found in the southeastern portion of the United States. Coming from the soil they can invade the home you live in and cause damage. Subterranean termites travel through the soil and in search of sustenance, reach your home.
When looking into the treatment options for termite control, it’s important to understand the basics of how termites work. Subterranean termites live in colonies. There are millions of them all in one place working together to keep a thriving community alive. There are three classes of subterranean termites: the worker, the soldier, and reproductives Most of the time when you see an infestation, workers are the ones most visible. They are responsible for locating food and returning it to the colony. Only a small portion of the group is made up of soldiers. They are charge of the colony’s protection. They have mandibles, or a black jaws, that is designed for defense. However because of this evolved state, soldiers are unable to feed themselves. Both soldiers and reproductives rely on the worker termites to find food and return it to the colony.
Baiting systems are one of the most common methods of control for subterranean termites. Specialists will place baiting stations on the perimeter of your home. These bait stations act as deterrent for any foraging termites. The baits themselves contain a termiticide. The termites consume the product and in turn bring it to the colony.
A good way to look out for any sort of infestation is to look for the reproductives. They are the only on the three casts that have wings. Referred to as Alates or Swarmers, they leave the colony on different part of the year, depending on the species, but are most common during the spring. They travel a short distance before they shed their wings and burrow into the ground to begin a new colony. Many homeowners are cued to an infestation when they find these wings in their home.
Termites can cause damage to your home, either in the wood structure or even in the insulation. Many homeowners, especially those living in the southeast, will opt for termite protection in order to defend themselves from becoming overrun by termites.
How do you decide if the baiting system is right for you? Liquid termite treatment require drilling around the home, and it may become necessary to move furniture, carpeting, or other stored items to be moved. It isn’t as invasive as a liquid termite treatment can be as more often than not specialist won’t need to enter the home. Often those opposed to using pesticides will prefer the baiting method as well. If your home or building is located near a water source, baiting may be the only option available in order to prevent run off of the pesticides.