Termites are social - and not in a good way

Submitted by HOMEMASTERS PEST CONTROL

Termites are social insects, but you don’t want to host any gatherings for them in and around your home.

They live in colonies and are typically found in the ground or in wood. They are usually divided into three groups, subterranean, drywood and dampwood, based on the location of their colonies.

The most common termite in this area is the subterranean. The Eastern, Western and Formosan varieties pose the greatest threat to property. Subterranean termites are most likely to be found in crawlspace wood with high moisture content. Once termites have begun to infest a home, damage can appear in as little as a year depending on the size of the colony.

Subterranean termites travel through mud tubes across brick, concrete and cement foundations and also wood framing and walls. Look out for these tubes, as they can be the first sign of an infestation.

While it is always best to have a professional inspect your home for signs of termites, there are some signs of potential problems you can look for. Termites often swarm in warmer weather and after a rain shower to start new colonies. The swarming event is usually brief, so if you don’t see new colonies you are likely to see discarded wings around window sills, doors, heating vents, bathtubs and sinks after a swarm takes place.

The mud tubes are generally about the size of a pencil and are normally found on

foundations or inside walls. Because termites eat wood from the inside out, you won’t notice any damage until it is already significant.

Termites avoid light, but if you should see what you think is a termite, they are light-colored and are about the size of a grain of rice.

So, what can you do to keep termites from using your home for one of their social gatherings? You can call the professionals at HomeMasters Pest Control. HomeMasters uses the Sentricon system to keep termites away, the same system used at landmarks such as the White House, the Statue of Liberty and Independence Hall.

The Sentricon system introduces bait into your yard and home that termites can’t resist. One device is enough to destroy a typical termite colony. The bait is chemicalfree and termites enjoy it more than the wood of your home. Worker termites find the bait and then share it with the rest of the colony. The active ingredient prevents termites from maturing through molting, which ultimately results in the elimination of all the termites.

The Sentricon bait stations are 4.5 inches in diameter and 10 inches long. The number of stations needed depends on the size of the home, and they are placed between 10 and 15 feet apart around the perimeter. Sentricon is effective against termites, but will not harm pets. “A dog could pull up a bait station and chew on it and not be harmed,” said Katie Crowder, HomeMasters marketing manager.

Unfortunately, the North Carolina climate is ideal for termites. “North Carolina weather goes from hot to cold all within a week, so it’s best to have a barrier to prevent bugs from getting into your home,” Crowder said. “Our weather is the perfect climate for termites. Our combination of warm temperatures, humidity and wood construction makes the perfect environment for termites.”

A good pest control company can make sure your home isn’t the place for a termite colony to hold its summer gathering.

HomeMasters Pest Control has been serving customers in Johnston County since 2001. For more information about termite treatment or other services, visit www.homemasterspest.com or call 1-877-55-PESTS.