Termite Inspection
An annual termite inspection is the best protection against termites.
Termites cause an estimated $5 billion a year in property damage. They don’t discriminate, either, and can damage businesses and homes alike. These silent destroyers can be present for years without revealing themselves, quietly eating away at a structure.
Even buildings constructed on slabs or of concrete block can face problems – termites can work their way up a structure, eating insulation along the way to get to wooden beams, roof supports, and more. They feed on the cellulose that comprises wood and other plant materials, including paper and books.
You secure your business or your home against theft, accidents, and other mishaps with insurance. Are you leaving it open to destruction from termites? Rentokil Steritech offers a range of treatment options and termite protection plans to suit your needs.
If you think you have seen signs of termites in your business or home, the first step you need to take is to call in a professional to confirm it and then they can provide you with your termite protection and treatment options.
Termite Fact: Termite queens are constantly laying eggs and it is estimated that they can lay between 20,000 to 30,000 eggs a day.
Termites are highly organized insects in the Isoptera order. They form large, strong colonies with queens, kings, workers and soldiers, all of them with their assigned duties. There are several common forms in North America that cause problems for businesses and homeowners:
Subterranean - the most common type throughout North America, but particularly in states like
These live in the soil and build mud tunnels often found near homes and even inside spaces within the walls. These include the formidable, but rare, Formosan Termites.
Drywood - common in California and Florida. They do not come from the soil but spend their entire lives in the wood they eat.
What do termites look like? Sometimes termites are confused with ants because they somewhat resemble them, but there are some key differences:
Dampwood - common on the Pacific coast and in Florida, these large termites tend to infest wood that is subjected to excessive moisture, such as that in tropical or unusually rainy environments.
Termites want to go unnoticed. They can go for years without being spotted on a property, creating untold amounts of damage in the meantime. It's also why it's so important to get a trained professional out to your business or home to determine if termites are at work. Some signs of termites include:
Discarded wings - swarmers, or winged termites, are usually the first signs of a termite infestation. Swarmers fly away from the colony to mate and set up new colonies. They shed their wings and you can often find them around windows.
Hollow sounds - termites carve out a network of tunnels, known as galleries, in wood and that causes the wood to sound hollow.
Damage to wood structures - termites love to eat joists, wood floors, rafters, ceiling tiles, and the wood that helps connect your home to its foundation. If it's falling apart or the flooring feels weak and yielding, you might have termites.
Frass - these are termite droppings. Termites try to keep their colonies clean and will push out their droppings, creating piles that look like heavy grain sand beneath holes built specifically for this purpose.
Mud tubes - subterranean termites build covered tubes out of mud and other materials to protect themselves while moving from one place to the next. You might find them on exterior walls, close to the ground.
If you find these signs, call the professionals fast.