Termites 101
Floridian homeowners are far too familiar with the unfortunate reality of living with termites. Although you may do everything in your power to protect your house from their colonies' devastation, it seems they find a way to wreak havoc anyway. This problem is especially prevalent in Florida, where environmental conditions are warm and humid year-round, continuously providing the optimal conditions for termite breeding and invasion. The only reliable way to control such infestations is to identify the precise species attacking your home and tackle the problem with pre- and post-construction treatments and a WDI inspection.
Termites can attack your home from all sides. To ensure full protection, you should have a thorough WDI (wood-destroying insect) inspection performed by a professional like Over-A-Cheever Pest Control at least once per year, especially if you suspect an infestation. In accordance with the National Pest Management Association, your contracted pest control expert will:
Search for evidence of insect activity, namely, by the presence of damaged wood. Your selected pest control team will specifically search for:
Visible damage in or under your home. Florida is home to several types of subterranean termites, the primary species being the Formosan and Asian. These can be found nesting in soil and dampened wood and are capable of inflicting severe damage on your house's structure quite rapidly. Above ground, you will most likely find the drywood and dampwood termites, each larger, yet just as aggressive as the subterranean groups.
Evidence of insect populations, specifically live or dead insect bodies, shelters, and staining. Your inspector is likely to find evidence of these species in the form of mud tunnels, and holes bored into the wood of your home. Depending on the species, they may identify a colony's nesting area within the house's structure or the surrounding soil.
Develop a prevention and extermination plan based on their findings in the initial inspection phase. At Over-A-Cheever Pest Control, we believe the following treatment options are most effective:
For pre-treatment, we prefer Bora-Care, particularly for slab care. Bora-Care is an EPA- (Environmental Protection Agency) registered termiticide. It is borate-based (a natural mineral used for wood preservation), ensuring the wood remains strong and healthy after treatment. This is applied to all wooden slabs comprising your house's structure, including the interior and exterior sheathing, sill plates, studs, and more. It can even be applied to concrete slabs if necessary.
Post-treatment is best accomplished using such liquid treatments as well, along with baits. For one, the termiticide creates an impenetrable barrier when applied underneath the slabs. For an additional defense layer, your technician will install bait stations that can ultimately attract the entire infesting colony, keeping your home termite-free.
If you have noticed the following types of damages in your home, it may be time to call the professionals at Over-A-Cheever Pest Control:
Mud tubes on your house's exterior (these appear as narrow lines of dried mud).
The wood of your home is darkening or blistering.
When tapping the wood comprising your house's structure, it sounds hollow.
Piles of what appears to be sawdust begin to show up throughout your home (these are mounds of termite feces).
Our experts are available to provide a free Healthy Home Inspection and work with you to develop an extermination program specially adapted to your home's needs. Contact us today to rid your Florida home of the damages inflicted by termite colonies.