วันจันทร์ที่ 23 ธันวาคม พ.ศ. 2556

How to Make Homemade Pet Friendly Termite Killer?

Answer

You can make homemade pet friendly termite killer by combining two parts of borax, two parts confectioner's sugar and one part cornmeal, mixing the three thoroughly. Sugar and cornmeal attract termite workers. Borax is a naturally powdery substance. When termites ingest it, it acts as stomach poison that prevents them from digesting other food and causing them to starve to death.

วันจันทร์ที่ 4 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2556

TERMITE CONTROL: Answers for Homeowners

Entomology departments often receive more calls about termites than any other household insect. Subterranean termites are serious pests, whose control is best left to professionals. Termites and termite management services can be confusing, however, and there are more options available today than ever before. Some of the most common termite questions raised by homeowners are answered below.

Why worry about termites?
Why are infestations often discovered during March - May?
How will I know if my home is infested?
Can I treat the house myself?
How do I choose a termite control company? Why is there such variance in price?
Which treatment methods and products are most effective?
Does the entire house need to be treated -- or can they just treat areas where I see termites?
How long will the treatment last?
Will the chemicals harm my family or pets?
Have I been "cheated" if termites continue to infest my house after treatment?

NOTE: The answers contained in this publication are based on conditions and regulations as they exist in Kentucky, USA. Timing of termite appearance and regulatory/legal considerations may be different in your local area. You may also wish to consult your local cooperative extension agency or government department about specific recommendations for your area.

Q: Why worry about termites?
A: Termites cause billions of dollars in damage each year. They primarily feed on wood, but also damage paper, books, insulation, and even swimming pool linersand filtration systems. Termites can injure living trees and shrubs, but more often are a secondary invader of woody plants already in decline. While buildings may become infested at any time, termites are of particular importance when buying or selling a home since a termite inspection/infestation report is normally a condition of sale. Besides the monetary impact, thousands of winged termites emerging inside one's home are an emotionally trying experience — not to mention the thought of termites silently feasting on one's largest investment.


Q: Why are infestations often discovered during March - May?
A: Spring typically is when large numbers of winged termites, known as "swarmers," emerge inside homes. In nature, termites swarm to disperse and start new colonies. Triggered by warmer temperatures and rainfall, the winged termites emerge from the colony and fly into the air.

Above: Winged termites emerging indoors are a sure
sign that the building is infested.

The swarmers then drop to the ground, shed their wings, pair off with a mate, and attempt to begin new colonies in the soil. Few swarmers emerging outdoors survive to start new colonies. Swarmers emerging indoors are incapable of eating wood, seldom survive, and are best removed with a vacuum. They do, however, indicate that an infestation is present.

Q: How will I know if my home is infested?
A: Discovering winged termites indoors almost always indicates an infestation warranting treatment.


People often confuse winged termites with ants, which often swarm at the same time of year. Termites can be differentiated by their straight antennae, uniform waist and wings of equal size. (Ants have elbowed antennae, constricted waists and forewings that are longer than the hind wings.)

The swarmers are attracted to light and are often seen around windows and doors. Termite swarmers emerging from tree stumps, woodpiles, and other locations out in the yard are not necessarily cause for concern, and do not necessarily mean that the house is infested. On the other hand, if winged termites are seen emerging from the base of a foundation wall or adjoining porches and patios, there's a good chance the house is infested also and treatment may be warranted.


Other signs of infestation are earthen (mud) tubes (shown right) extending over foundation walls, support piers, sill plates, floor joists, etc. The mud tubes are typically about the diameter of a pencil, but sometimes can be thicker.

Termites construct these tubes for shelter as they travel between their underground colonies and the structure. To help determine if an infestation is active, the tubes may be broken open and checked for the presence of small, creamy-white worker termites.


If a tube happens to be vacant, it does not necessarily mean that the infestation is inactive; termites often abandon sections of tube while foraging elsewhere in the structure.

Termite-damaged wood is usually hollowed out along the grain, with bits of dried mud or soil lining the feeding galleries. Wood damaged by moisture or other types of insects (e.g., carpenter ants) will not have this appearance. Occasionally termites bore tiny holes through plaster or drywall, accompanied by bits of soil around the margin. Rippled or sunken traces behind wall coverings can also be indicative of termites tunneling underneath.

Oftentimes there will be no visible indication that the home is infested. Termites are cryptic creatures and infestations can go undetected for years, hidden behind walls, floor coverings, insulation, and other obstructions. Termite feeding and damage can even progress undetected in wood that is exposed because the outer surface is usually left intact.


Termite damage to baseboard. Hidden infestation
was discovered when vacumn cleaner attachment
penetrated surface of baseboard.

Confirmation of infestation often requires the keen eye of an experienced termite inspector. However, even the most experienced inspector can overlook infestation or damage which is hidden.


Q: Can I treat the house myself?
A: Ridding a home of termites requires special skills. A knowledge of building construction is needed to identify the critical areas where termites are likely to enter. Many of these potential points of entry are hidden and difficult to access. Termite control also utilizes specialized equipment such as masonry drills, pumps, large-capacity tanks, and soil treatment rods. A typical treatment may involve hundreds of gallons of a liquid pesticide, known as a termiticide, injected into the ground alongside the foundation, beneath concrete slabs, and within foundation walls.

In short, termite treatment is a job for professionals. A possible exception would be if a mailbox post, sandbox or other small wooden object not attached to the house was infested. "Do-it-yourself" products, sold to homeowners at retail stores or bought over the internet, will seldom eradicate an existing termite problem.

Q: How do I choose a termite control company? Why is there such variance in price?
A: These are complex questions. The company should be licensed by the Department of Agriculture or agency responsible for regulating termite control in the state. Membership in their state pest control association and/or National Pest Management Association suggest the company is an established firm with access to technical and training information needed to do the job correctly. As with any service company, references are invaluable. Consider calling at least 2-3 companies. Requesting inspections and estimates from more than one will help verify the existence of a termite problem and allow you to compare services.

Companies offer different types of treatment methods and warranties. If termites happen to return, most will retreat the affected area(s) at no additional charge. Some companies also will repair damage occurring subsequent to their treatment, although dating onset of damage is a hard thing to determine. In some cases, no warranty will be offered if wells, cisterns, subslab heating ducts, drainage systems, or inaccessible crawl spaces make it impossible to treat in accordance with industry standards.

Take your time when selecting a company. Termites damage wood slowly; the amount of damage caused by taking an additional day, week, or month to make an informed decision generally is insignificant. Avoid firms that try to pressure you into signing a contract immediately with "specials" or scare tactics. The overall quality of the job depends less on the sales person than on the individual who does the work. A safe and effective treatment requires an experienced technician, not someone who was hired a few weeks ago.

Q: Which treatment methods and products are most effective?
A: Another challenging question. There are two general categories of termite treatment, liquids and baits. Soil-applied liquid termiticides have been around for decades. Their purpose is to provide a long-lasting chemical barrier that excludes termites in the ground from entering buildings. In most cases, termites in the structure die off as well, since they cannot return to the soil. Most former products were repellent rather than lethal to termites foraging in the soil. Newer materials, such as Premise® (imidacloprid), Termidor® (fipronil), and Phantom® (chlorfenapyr), are non-repellent and termites tunneling into the treatment zone are killed. Overall the non-repellent products are proving to be more reliable in their ability to resolve termite problems in the first attempt. All registered termiticides (both repellent and non-repellent) can be effective, however, and homeowners should not base their purchasing decision on product alone.

The other broad treatment category is baiting. Termite baits consist of paper, cardboard, or other palatable food, combined with a slow-acting substance lethal to termites. The baits are installed below ground out in the yard in cylindrical plastic stations. Others are sometimes placed indoors over active mud tubes. Foraging termites consume the bait and share it with their nestmates, resulting in a gradual decline in termite numbers. On some properties, baits may constitute the only form of treatment; on others, they may be combined with liquid applications. to areas where termites are observed.

Termite baiting is a very complex subject. For further information, see our entomology extension publications, Entfact 639: Termite Baits: A Guide for Homeowners. Regardless of which method or product is selected, it's important to have an experienced technician, backed by a responsible pest control firm.

Q: Does the entire house need to be treated... or can they just treat areas where I see termites?
A: Subterranean termite colonies may contain hundreds of thousands of individuals, foraging in many different directions. For the homeowner, localized or "spot" treatments are generally a gamble except in cases of retreatment. Most reputable pest control firms will not warranty spot treatments, since it's likely that termites will eventually find other points of entry into the structure.

Some companies may offer to do a so-called "perimeter" treatment, using one of the non-repellent liquid termiticides (Termidor, Premise, etc.). Typically this will involve a thorough application around the entire outside foundation wall of the building, and spot-treating any infested or high-risk interior areas. If the homeowner is considering such a treatment, they should inquire whether it will be accompanied by a service agreement in case termites return. (Service renewal agreements usually state that if termites return, the company will return and retreat the affected areas at no additional charge provided the renewal agreement is maintained.) It's a bit of a gamble to purchase any termite treatment option without an ongoing service agreement.



Q: How long will the treatment last?
A: All liquid termiticides are supposed to control termites for at least five years when applied according to label directions. The actual length of control on a given structure will depend on such factors as thoroughness of the application, environmental conditions, and density of termites in the area. If termites swarm again and continue to be a problem the year after treatment, it's usually not from degradation of the termiticide — but because termites have found an untreated gap in the chemical barrier.

Q: Will the chemicals harm my family or pets?
A: Termiticides are tested extensively for adverse effects on health. Before a product can be used, numerous studies are conducted by the manufacturer and independently evaluated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Based on the current body of knowledge, registered termiticides pose no significant hazard to humans, pets or the environment when applied according to label directions. Despite the negligible health risk from a properly performed termite treatment, people with lingering concerns should consult their physician. Most of the newer liquid products have essentially no odor. Clients who are still apprehensive may want to consider having their home treated with baits.

Q: Have I been "cheated" if termites continue to infest my house after treatment?
A: Not necessarily. Unlike other services such as plumbing or electrical work, termite control involves living creatures. The best treatments performed by knowledgeable firms may fail at times, when termites find their way through tiny, untreated gaps in the soil. While the intent is to establish a continuous, impenetrable chemical barrier, this is all but impossible to achieve in actual practice. In the case of baits, it may take several months for termites to initially find the below-ground installations and several months more to achieve control.

The key is to hire a reputable pest control firm employing experienced, conscientious technicians. Companies will return and retreat affected area(s) at no additional charge provided the service agreement is purchased and maintained.

Issued: 5/92
Revised: 3/04

CAUTION! Pesticide recommendations in this publication are registered for use in Kentucky, USA ONLY! The use of some products may not be legal in your state or country. Please check with your local county agent or regulatory official before using any pesticide mentioned in this publication.

Of course, ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS FOR SAFE USE OF ANY PESTICIDE!

by Mike Potter, Extension Entomologist
University of Kentucky College of Agriculture

Photos: Mike Potter, University of Kentucky. Other images: University of Kentucky Entomology.

วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 14 กุมภาพันธ์ พ.ศ. 2556

green termite control bay area


BAY AREA TERMITE & PEST CONTROL

32976 US HWY 19 N 
Palm HarborFL 34684
(727) 771-0136
www.bayareapest.com
Contact: CHANDLER, CURT
Business Description: 27 EMPLOYEES, NO SUB CONTRACTORS, COST IS DETERMINED BY SERVICES REQUIRED. PEST CONTROL LICENSE: #JB116897. ADDITIONAL CONTACT: (813)287-5600, (727) 787-5009. EMAIL: INFO@PESTCENTER.COM. WEBSITE- WWW.BAYAREAPEST.COM
Services: Pest Control
In Business Since: 1988
Service Area: PINELLAS, HILLSBOROUGH, PASCO & HERNANDO COUNTIES
On Angie's List Since: 1/28/2005
Warranties: ASK FOR DETAILS
Free Estimates: YES
Office Hours: MON-FRI 9:00AM-6:00PM; SAT 9:00 AM-3:00 PM
Features: Emergency Service
Licensed: Yes, I am appropriately licensed for my trade
(All statements concerning insurance, licenses, and bonds are informational only, and are self-reported. Since insurance, licenses and bonds can expire and can be cancelled, homeowners should always check such information for themselves.)
Senior Discount: YES
Cities Served: Apollo Beach | Bayonet Point | Beach Park | Belleair | Belleair Beach | Brandon | Brooksville | Carrollwood | Citrus Park | Clearwater | Coquina Key | Dade City | Dover | Dunedin | East Lake | East Pasco County | Egypt Lake | Forest Hills | Gibsonton | Gulfport | Hernando County | Holiday | Hudson | Hyde Park | Indian Rocks Beach | Interbay | Kenneth City | Kenwood | Lake Magdalene | Lakewood | Land O Lakes | Largo | Lealman | Lithia | Lutz | Macdill Afb | Madeira Beach | Mirror Lake | New Port Richey | Northdale | Odessa | Oldsmar | Palm Harbor | Palm River-clair Mel | Palma Ceia | Pass A Grille Beach | Pinellas Park | Plant City | Port Richey | Redington Beach | Riverview | Riviera Bay | Ruskin | Safety Harbor | Seffner | Seminole | Seminole Heights-wellswood | Shady Hills | Shore Acres | South Pasadena | Spring Hill | St. Petersburg Beach | Sulphur Springs | Sun City Center | Tampa - Downtown | Tampa Heights | Tampa Palms | Tarpon Springs | Temple Terrace | Thonotosassa | Tierra Verde | Town N Country | Treasure Island | Trinity | Tyrone | Valrico | Weeki Wachee | Wesley Chapel | West Tampa | Westchase | Wimauma | Woodlawn-snell Isle | Ybor City | Zephyrhills

วันศุกร์ที่ 8 กุมภาพันธ์ พ.ศ. 2556

How do i know if i have termites in my home ?

Termites, by their nature, are hard to find. Thriving in hard-to-reach, inaccessible areas, they will eat your home from the inside out. 

Although there may be only a few indications of termite activity, take a closer look at these warning signs:

• Watch for the “swarm” of winged termites during the day or evening and often after rainfall from February to March, in most areas of the country.
• Check in or around windows and doorframes for termite evidence (wings, etc.)
• Look for “mud tunnels” in or around the foundation, under windows and on walls.
• Watch for pin-sized holes in the wall and woodwork where termites exited during the swarm.
• Tap baseboards and floors to see if they sound hollow — a possible sign of termite infestation.
• Examine window sills and walls for dead termites or termite wings.
• Blistering on sheetrock.


How much to treat for termites ?

Each time eliminate termite There is no fixed expenses ;Not very high, and not less.
The service provider they will charge to eliminate termite.

Termite treatment cost  average is $ 95-$ 100.The work of the same individual, not the service for you.
One copany was over two hundred dollars that I talked to. I have seen it as low as 75 dollars.
but it is last seen in time in 2010



However, depending on your satisfaction that will employ them.Employment, his work can be viewed on the Web site, or publish items that his telephone number or pass to get his feedback, good or bad.

Good luck and good price for you.

วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 7 กุมภาพันธ์ พ.ศ. 2556

An Overview of Termite Life Cycle and Lifespan

Subterranean termites are known for being highly destructive, but many people don’t realize that termites have a fascinating life cycle. In many ways, the structure and hierarchy of the colony resembles human social structures. For more information about the cycle, read on.


King and Queen
Termites start with a king and queen termite, usually from different colonies. The two mate, and then find a location to start a nest and shed their wings. The king and queen will never fly again. Instead, they wait for the newly-fertilized queen to lay her first clutch of eggs. The eggs hatch into white larvae in a matter of weeks. As they mature, the larvae are inducted into one of three ranks of the colony, which closely resemble castes, or social classes.

Worker Termites
The lowest rank in the termite colony is the worker. Workers are young and not yet capable of reproducing. Because of this, they are assigned to dig tunnels and chambers, expanding the nest. They also may assist the upper classes with feeding and hygienic practices. They live about one to two years.

Soldier Termites
Over time, some termites grow large mandibles, which resemble sharp brown pincers. It is at this point that they become soldier termites, tasked with defending the colony. Their mandibles are lethal in combat against certain predators, but are too bulky for them to feed themselves. Because of this, worker termites must physically place food in the soldiers’ mouths for them. The soldiers can live up to two years.

Alates
As soon as termites reach sexual maturity, they turn black and grow wings. These are called alates, and are tasked with starting their own colonies as king or queen and continuing the cycle elsewhere. They are the longest-living termites, with a lifespan of up to 50 years.

Never forget that queen termites can lay over 1000 eggs per day, and this can spell serious trouble for your home if they decide to start a colony there. Burns Termite Control of Phoenix specializes in rapid, effective pest control to knock out the queen and her colony before they can inflict serious damage.

วันอังคารที่ 5 กุมภาพันธ์ พ.ศ. 2556

Flying Ants Vs Termites: The difference between flying ants and termites

In the United States, termites cause a lot of damage to houses, destroying the wood used in their construction. Many times, the flying ants are mistaken for termites because of their similar appearance. It 'important to understand the differences between these creatures, in order to take preventive measures to control them.

Flying Ants

Flying ants
Flying ants are not a species or type of ants, but those males and females that did not breed and may be about to do so. The Division of the body into several parts like the head, thorax and abdomen does fly the ants easier identification, and therefore differs from termites. Before making an attempt to eliminate them, it is important to know what attracts flying ants. Sugar and fatty foods are the best baits to attract them. The first step in the process of flying Ant eradication is to locate their nest. Flying ants indoors are mostly found in walls where they build their nests. If the House is infested with flying ants in the winter, the possibility to have their nest in the walls is high.


Termites
The termites are insects eusociale falling within the Isoptera order. These insects are detritivorous (feeding on dead materials), most are in tropical and subtropical regions. It is necessary to understand the difference between flying ants, termites and insects alike, in order to adopt the appropriate measures for their control. Many times it happens that the flying ant problem is mistaken for termites, which adds the concern of homeowners.

Difference between flying ants and termites
Although flying ants and termites are similar in appearance, there are some differences in their physical appearance, which allow us to identify flying ants and differentiate them from termites. The difference between a flying Ant and a termite could be spotted easily if careful observation is made. ; The termites body is divided into two parts, namely the head and body. Ants on the other hand have three parts: head, thorax and abdomen.

The life of ants region seems to be a little pinched in shape, while the termite is not; The antennae of termites are straight, while the ants are bent into shape. , Legs of ants are present in the thoracic region, just behind the head. 
Termites, on the other hand have the legs for the entire length of the body. ; The antennae of termites are a form of beads, while those of ants are in a continuous line. ; The length of the wings of flying ants are different in size from that of termites. 
Both termites AND flying ants have four wings, however, the front fenders of the ants are larger wings Hinds. In the case of termites, all four wings have the same length. ; Another noteworthy difference between termites and ants is that the former has wings that are grey-white, while the ants have transparent wings with veins that could be seen easily. ; The veins on the wings are easily seen when flying ants. Due to the current gray tint on the wings, wing veins of termites are not easily visible. ; The development phase that passes through a termite, is known as the gradual metamorphosis. Flying ants undergo complete metamorphosis. The different phases of the life cycle of a termite are the egg, nymph and adult. However, flying Ant passes in larval stage, after eggs and then into the pupal stage. The adult stage is reached after the pupa and then the complete metamorphosis of fly front ends.

The eating habits of these flying ants and termites are also black. The mainly termites eat wood, while flying ants eat a variety of things, including vegetables, meat, etc. the bacteria found in the stomach of termites help breaking the cellulose.

The above description about flying ants vs termites presents before us the various aspects of their structure, behavior and eating habits. Studying the difference between flying ants and termites help us to understand the various causes of flying ants and termites infestation.

How to recognize the signs of termite infestation

Dry wood termites are harder to detect than underground colonies. Signs of a termite infestation of these is a signal to get treatment for pest control.

Dry wood termites are Kalotermitidae family and live mainly in coastal areas unfamiliar freezing temperatures never warm. Are less frequent than subterranean termites, which are the most experienced termite seen in most places in the U.S. that can Drywood termite colonies devastating damage to the structural integrity of walls, ceilings and furniture, and if it is not eradicated, lowering the value of the home.


Dry wood termites are Sneaky
As subterranean termites, termite colonies eat dry wood cellulose sources - usually wood - and can cause significant damage to structural elements of the house. However, this parasite tends to go unnoticed for long periods of time and for the moment it is detected, damage to wooden elements is often immense.

The ability of insects to secretory is due to the fact that entire colonies can live in the failure of the wood without trekking back periodically for ground moisture. So, when they invade the structure and form colonies classification of real wood inside the wall and the vertical wall studs, dry wood termites can remain hidden for years. This unusual ability to live solely on the traces of special measures means that the water should not be only the extermination and control of the content of the termites, but also an infestation may go unnoticed until signs subtle dry wood termites did not appear.

A sure sign: Swarms of these termites,
Owners can never sign of dry wood termite damage. But humidity hot spring, from March to May, you can see swarming termites inside the house gravitating to the interior lighting or windows. The size of the swarm is small, usually at less than 100 termites, according to the Council of consumer education termites. A swarm of winged insects might be confused with flying Ant enthusiast. But in contrast to ants, termites rights bodies, antennas and the right wing of the front and rear part of the uniform.

Dry after the swarm, wood termites shed their wings and die. Although the owners can not be present at the swarm, the wings of the roof will probably test on the ground or other surfaces after a swarm. Although the degradation of the wing is part of the reproductive cycle of the dry wood termites, can not really reproduce indoor conditions.

However, by far not good news, a swarm is a sign that the colony is probably alive and thriving, because it takes years for a company. Size that is necessary to reach to make moth Any signs of a swarm should contact the one owner, a supplier of combat control of termites. Homeowners may also receive a copy of the termites in a jar of rubbing alcohol, and its extension contact service and technical support to the termites get positively identified as the diversity of dry wood.

Fecal pellets as a sign of dry wood termites
Since the establishment of colonies in wood and soil, dry wood termites need to drill holes in their wooden house to expel waste. This kick diameter 1/16 very small holes to push the fecal pellets, as well as feces. The balls are small, dusty hills of sawdust regarded as beige or brown, and when examined in detail. Tubular in shape with six different faces

How to recognize the signs of termites and termite problems
To determine if the termite colony is active in the scene, an owner dunghill termites scan and see if other spheres appear in the next two weeks. If they do that, discolored termites and sealed the black hole starts to be visible. Anywhere on the field, in a cabinet, furniture or window sills made of wood or on a wall or ceiling
Termite damage to wooden structures

Dry wood termites can eat their way through furniture or structures for the management of the wall, only a thin layer of wood, but they can see difficult within the space to touch, unlike the wood and see if easy given. Look to see the furniture that the batteries on her tiny droppings.

Treatment and Control of Drywood termites
An infestation of dry wood termites require different treatment of the infestation of subterranean termites. The good news is that dry wood termites do not vary far from their habitat and are easy to kill once the location or locations of their settlements is produced. Although this does not mean that there is a colony, it means that the termites not avoid exposure to termiticides, fumigants or heat through the tunnel.
Small attack dry wood termites points with pesticides, liquid termiticides which are injected into the wood to be treated. In the case of widespread termite infestation parasites are killed by extreme heat or fumigants. Both the treatment in that the heat treatment of human and animal fumigant require evacuation.



Dry wood termites need professional treatment
Signs of a termite colony dry wood should not be ignored. Because of their ecology, dry wood termites are not good candidates for the do it yourself termite. Most homeowners do not have to get rid of termite infestation or fumigation with high heat to inject termiticide in the colonies, or to identify all areas of infestation. Therefore, if evidence of termites enthusiast, dung and wood damage is found, should the idea of ​​DIY treatment should be discontinued and a provider of contact control.

Read it If may also be of interest:
A termiticide ecological always try to fight against pests without helping the environment. Find out more about the treatment of termites orange fuel for dry wood termites and Formosan subterranean.

Other References
Biology of termites
dentification and control 
collaborative notes on dry wood termites 
Department of Extension of the University of Alabama System Information Iowa State Entomology