Carpenter ants are important decomposers of forest trees, not feeding on the wood but burrowing within it to nest and feed on insects, plants and fruit juices. However, the ants can move from their native woods to the structures of our homes, where they invade the kitchen, pantry and interior rooms looking for water and human or pet food. Although they are slow to cause harm, they can seriously damage weathered or neglected structures.
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- B.V. of La Jolla, CA
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Termite Control La Jolla - 858-352-7728
Mann vs Pest Pest Control La Jolla - Interesting Facts About Termites
- Every year termites attack about four million homes in the United States.
- They cause more than $6.5 billion in property damage.
- Termite damage is more common than damage caused by storms, fire or earthquakes, yet it's rarely covered by homeowner's insurance.
- Thousands --- and sometimes millions --- of termites live in each soil based colony.
- Workers forage continuously for food.
- Reproductive termites swarm from an existing colony to start new colonies.
An Overview of Termite Chemicals
For many years, the traditional method of controlling subterranean termites was to apply a liquid pesticide, known as a termiticide, to the soil. It has worked by applying a chemical barrier around and beneath the structure in order to block all possible routes of termite entry. Any termites attempting to penetrate through the treated soil were either killed or repelled.
However, there are many obstacles to forming such a barrier. Many possible termite entry points are hidden behind walls, floor coverings, and other obstructions. Considering that termites can tunnel through small untreated gaps as narrow as pencil lead in the soil, it is understandable why the traditional/ barrier liquid termite treatments have failed to correct termite problems at times.
Most termiticides are not as stable in most soils as termiticides which were manufactured prior to 1989. Chloronated hydrocarbon insecticides (termiticides) like chlordane, aldrin, lindane, etc. were known to have tremendous stability in soils and lasted a lot longer than the present termiticides.
The same qualities which made them good termiticides also made them environmentally unsafe. Chlordane got the bad reputation from wide misuse and was taken off the market in the USA.
There are several different insecticides used by pest control operators for soil treatment for termites currently. All are safe and effective when used according to label directions. The insecticides remain effective in the soil for approximately 5 to 10 years. Each product has slight advantages and disadvantages.
The physical and chemical nature of your soil surrounding your home can impact the effectiveness of the chemicals stability with respect to time. Soil clay content, pH, Organic matter content, particularly organic carbon content will greatly influence the rate of break down of the termiticide in soil.
NOTE: Disturbing the termite treatment may void any termite warranty that you may have on your home.
SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES
Subterranean termites can devour and destroy the wood structure of any buiding. Unless checked, the damage will lead to extensive repair work costing thousands of dollars-dollars you can save through a proper detection, treatment and prevention program.
Subterranean termites begin their destructive process by attacking foundation timbers or other wood close to the ground. From this strategic point, they move their attack to other parts of a building and establish new colonies.
Reproduction intensifies the problem.
Mann vs Pest Pest Control La Jolla uses modern procedures to create a non repellent barrier between your building and the ground.
The barrier effectively prevents new termites from entering to the ground for the moisture they need to survive.
Mann vs Pest Pest Control La Jolla are the experts in the treatment of Formosan termites.
Mann vs Pest Pest Control La Jolla has up to date equipment and new vehicles. Our newest subterranean termite truck is equipped with the top of the line treating unit. This truck has dual pumps and hoses for liquid and foam treatments. Modern subterranean termite treatments combine the use of foam and liquid termiticides.
SENTRICON
Due to their biology and habits, subterranean termites are a major challenge in La Jolla. The Sentricon Colony Elimination System takes advantage of the subterranean termites' behavior. Here is how it works:
First, a Mann vs Pest Pest Control La Jolla representative will inspect your home for signs of an existing infestation and then make a diagram that will be used as a guideline by the technician that installs the stations. Sentricon stations will be placed in the soil around your home. These stations will be monitored regularly to detect signs of termite activity. When termites are discovered, they will be exposed to special termite bait. The termites eat the bait, return to their colonies and send others from their colony out to feed. This leads to decline of the colony and eventually to complete colony elimination. After the colony is eliminated, monitoring continues to ensure against future infestations.
Mann vs Pest Pest Control La Jolla is an authorized pest control firm which has undergone extensive training on the effective use of the Sentricon Colony Elimination System. Selecting a qualified pest control firm is an important decision because Sentricon is an ongoing process.
Signs of Termites
You may encounter different types of termites, such as Formosan, dampwood, drywood, etc. If your home is infested with one of these termites, it may require different or more extensive treatment procedures including wood treatment
Wood Damage
The pattern in which subterranean termites feed on a piece of wood is hard to miss. These cellulose-loving insects can leave nothing behind but the wood grain. However, termite damage is usually hidden, due to the insects’ habit of eating the wood from the inside out.
Discarded Wings
Even if you miss an exterior termite swarm, it may not be difficult to see that it took place. Soon after swarmers take flight, they shed their wings, leaving small piles of wings behind in spider webs and on surfaces around the home’s foundation.
Termite Swarmers
Swarmers from mature colonies typically spread their wings and leave their colonies in the springtime in order to start new colonies. Swarms on the exterior of a home may be missed by homeowners, as they are typically brief events during the morning or afternoon — a time when many of people are not at home. Formosan termites can also swarm at dusk.
Mud Tubes
Subterranean termites build mud tubes (also known as shelter tubes) to serve as bridges between their colony and the wood they are feasting on. These tubes are made of tiny pieces of soil, wood and debris, and are used to protect the colony from predators and conserve moisture.
Termite Mounds While termites in the United States cause billions of dollars in damage every year, no North American termite species is known to build mounds. Termites that construct their colonies above ground live primarily in Africa and Australia.
Termite Droppings
Because termites don’t have the luxury of indoor plumbing, drywood termites often leave behind frass or droppings. These tiny fecal mounds often mean the wood above is infested with termites.
Termites and Termite Prevention
Since termites are a constant threat to your home, here are some things you can do during the year to help maintain the effectiveness of Mann vs Pest Pest Control La Jolla termite treatment plan.
What Can You Do to Help Protect Your Home?
Small steps make a big difference in termite prevention and sustaining an effective termite treatment plan. Start by eliminating moisture conditions and food around your home. These simple steps make your home a less attractive target, helping deter termites.
Eliminate Moisture Problems
- Repair leaking faucets, water pipes, and a/c units
- Divert water from foundation
- Keep gutters and down-spouts clean
- Remove excessive plant cover and wood mulch
- Get rid of standing water on roof
- Keep all vents clear and open
- Seal entry points around water and utility lines or pipes
Remove Food Sources
- Keep firewood, lumber, or paper away from foundation or crawl space
- Get rid of stumps and debris near house
- Place screens on outside vents
- Check decks and wooden fences for damage
- Wood on your home shouldn’t contact the soil
You Can be Green and Eliminate Termites
We want to protect the environment while ridding your property of termites. We can do this using Termistop®.
Termistop Flanges and Blockouts are a non-chemical solution that prevents termites from entering the home at the service penetrations through the slab. The stainless steel mesh creates a "physical barrier" to termite entry when it "keys" into the concrete. By addressing these areas during construction with Termistop Flanges and Blockouts, PCO’s reduce the need to apply chemical termiticides within the living space of the building.
Many green building programs around the country emphasize the use of physical barriers and non-chemical termite solutions. Termistop qualifies as a physical barrier in many of these programs and will capture points for the builder in some of the green building rating systems.
Termistop and the full Termimesh System have been specified in many high profile green building projects around the United States in both residential and commercial construction. Listen to what one of the premier green building architects in the nation has to say about the product.
Our representatives are happy to respond to your requests and offer you knowledgeable and friendly assistance. Call Mann vs Pest Pest Control La Jolla at 858-352-7728 and get a free phone estimate. Our staff offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee on each and every service package.
