Archive for the ‘termites’ Category

Bathrooms and Termites, why?

After learning about termites in Florida (I spent 8 years in Central Florida) I know that they really are drawn to water sources much like any animal or insect. Food, water and a place to live, that’s what they need and that’s what we need. So especially in Florida – abundant with water and bathrooms were the place I had more serious issues.

Here is Arizona I think the one thing that’s helps termites beyond the normal water, food etc is the footprint of homes. This footprint allows heat reduction and some water which allows termites to live within the shadow of us. So keep an eye peeled for signs of termites and you will be one step ahead of the game if they ever invade your home. Here is a list of things to look for:

• Tunnels or tubes inside or out, inside could be very small but dirt is always present with Subterranean termites.
• Drop tubes coming from your ceiling.
• Baseboard that looks eaten from inside out, they won’t eat paint so it looks wrinkled.
• I suggest an inspection by a Pest Management Professional – here is a great place to find one http://www.pestworld.org or just give ProBest Pest Management a call at 480-831-9328 or 623-414-0176

Tricky termite treatments

Pavers, flagstone and tile always make a termite treatment more difficult. Sometimes it almost impossible, these pavers are in fact put in place with cement or sand.  It is possible to drill but it also is worrisome because you might crack the paver. It is essential to the treatment to get the termiticide to the area where the termites may try to get into the home.

I also run across built in cabinets and they pose another obstacle to getting the termiticide to that expansion joint. What other issues do you think we run across on our daily termite treatments and do you have any unusual obstructions at your home or business?

Do you know what’s going on here? Post Tension or not?

Honestly I have no idea, it is stamped with Post Tension but there appears to be an expansion joint visible in both garages. There is also evidence of termites coming up the expansion joint. So I’m guessing but I think its a combination of Post Tension and Floating Slab.

What do I do? Do I drill the slab or not? Well if you hear screaming coming from Arizona it’s me!

Hey, what’s that hanging from my ceiling?

With all the rains we have had it is not surprising to any of us that termites are still very active. This is a frequent little phenomenon that happens here with our  desert termites. They find their way into our homes and follow the wood grain, hit the next 2×4 and then follow that grain and rather than return the longer way they attempt to go back down from where they are at the moment. Tricky little bugs, right?

So before you just clean it up and disregard it, check it out – is it dirt and do you see any little white 6 legged ant type critters. Surprise, it’;s probably termites – give us a call to make sure 480-831-9328

What do you know about Formosan Termites?   For example did you know, that they were probably transported into the U.S. from East Asian countries after World War II. The Formosan differs from native species in the fact they have huge colonies, maybe in the millions while Eastern Subterranean often have just a million and Arizona Western Subterranean often near 250,000. The East coast termites generally swarm in the Spring while the Western Sub species usually wait until monsoon to become more active. Formosans are just a little bit different in the fact that they are Subterranean but can bring mud up into a structure and live without going back to the ground. Our native termite in Arizona is not up to par with the Formosan in damage however it is still destructive and can cause significant damage if left alone. So what can you do to prevent Subterranean termites?

• Don’t let them into your structure – a proper termiticide treatment will help with that. Since they live in the ground it is important to restrict them at ground level.
• Stop the moisture especially around the foundation of your home.
• Keep firewood stored above the ground and on some type of either rack or stone blocks.
• Do not allow stucco to come in contact with stone or dirt, it blocks the view of your foundation.
• Don’t allow wood to come in contact with soil, just another way for them to get into your home.
• Last but not least an annual inspection by a Termite Company.