The Imposters. The insects most commonly confused for termites are flying ants. The most common species of ants to take flight around your house are carpenter ants, but they're by no means the only ones. Other would-be imposters include moisture ants, black garden ants and pavement ants.
What chemical kills termites? There are two main chemicals used to kill termites—fipronil and hexaflumuron. Fipronil is the specially designed chemical used as an active ingredient in many different liquid termiticides. In high enough concentrations, it can kill termites on contact.
Termites will not go away on their own. We bet you know why. While many pests need to find a food source inside your home in order to stay, termites do not. Your home IS the food they eat.
Winged swarming termites emerge from cracks in your walls and foundation in large numbers. They can also come out though holes in the soil in your yard. They emerge through swarm tubes made by worker termites. Unfortunately for them, not every termite survives to form a new colony.
Boric acid is often recommended for the elimination of termites. Boric acid is a natural pesticide and usually comes in the powder form. You can sprinkle it in the area of infestation or mix it with water to spray in the area. It might be best to use goggles, masks and gloves while spraying the acid.
Fumigation involves the use of penetrating gas lethal to termites. The furniture is typically removed and placed into a container or chamber which can be sealed. An EPA registered gas such as sulfuryl fluoride is introduced and the gas penetrates the furniture, controlling the termites.
Vinegar is an effective termite killer because it contains acetic acid. As an acid, acetic acid is corrosive. But it is especially corrosive against the exoskeletons of termites. When the acid comes in contact with termites, it destroys the termites' exoskeletons.
Leaky pipes, improper drainage, and poor airflow all create moisture issues that attract termites. Dampwood and subterranean termites in particular thrive in humid environments. While dampwood termites prefer water-damaged wood, subterranean termites are unable to live unless surrounded by enough moisture.
It can take anywhere from 3 to 8 years for termite damage to show up depending on the size of the colony.
Termites are not known to be a health hazard to humans because they do not transmit diseases that are harmful to people. However, some people living in homes with termite infestation are likely to suffer from allergic reactions and even asthma attacks.
Once a pair of winged termites (alates) establish a nesting site within a home's cosmetic or structural wood, an infestation will likely become noticeable once the colony begins to produce reproductive alates, which takes at least 5 ½ years in infested homes.
Although nobody knows for sure how long it takes for drywood termites to cause damage to structures, some pest control professionals estimate that drywood termite infestations can take as long as three to eight years to cause extensive damage in homes.
Mud tubes on the floors or walls. Paint that is bubbling and/or cracked – usually with frass coming out of the cracks. Wood surfaces that seem to be sunken in or cratered. Wings or bodies of termites.
You should never ignore a termite problem. Whether you're dealing with an infestation or want to protect yourself from the possibility, the best option will always be to partner with a pest control professional.
Drywood termite pellets are tiny, oval-shaped capsules with six concave sides and rounded ends. These pellets, which are about 1 millimeter in length, can form small mounds beneath kick out holes. The mounds may look like small piles of salt or pepper.
Pellets are most often shades of brown, but not always. Drywood termite droppings may appear almost uniformly off-white when the food source is very light colored wood. Mounds of drywood termite fecal pellets are a tell-tell sign of a drywood termite infestation.
First, if you don't spot any swarmers or live termites, there's likely no current termite activity. Secondly, if you notice mud tubes and break off a section that remains unrepaired after a few days, you have an inactive termite infestation.
Workers and soldiers live approximately one to two years. Queen termites may survive for over a decade under optimal climate conditions.
If you've seen the signs of a termite infestation in your wood furniture, it's important to take action immediately. Understanding the size of the infestation can be difficult, since termites are hidden and can often spread without being noticed.
Furniture:
While the Formosan subterranean termites love to chew through wood and flooring, they cannot survive long without moisture. But drywood termites can infest furniture and build a colony there.
Termites can easily be transferred from one property to another if they are transported with the wood in which they live. Any wood carried from a house that's infested with termites, may contain a queen termite that is capable enough to grow a new colony in a different place.
Ant and termite swarmers are most widespread during evenings. You'll most likely see them in a huge huddle flying around a streetlight or near lights in your backyard or porch. The warm and humid temperature at night is highly favorable for these winged ants and flying termites.