All posts in “termites”

Homeowner’s Insurance – Covers termites doesn’t it?

Homeowner’s Insurance – Covers termites doesn’t it?

 

I get this question a lot and the answer is pretty straight forward – NO. To my knowledge I know of no homeowner policy which covers damage from termites and to my knowledge I know of NO policy which covers pest of any kind. I’m aware of only one policy which was created for Bed Bug issues from the stand point of hotels/motels.

Here are some favorite quotes on termites…

“Termites – it’s only a matter of time” or “Termites – not IF but when” or “There are only two kinds of homes, those with termites and those waiting to get get them”

My suggestions:

  • Have an inspection done yearly if you live in the South.
  • Walk around your home and check the foundation. Check the roof line for Bees.
  • Don’t allow stucco to go beneath stone or dirt, you always want an open foundation to see termites tubes.
  • Don’t plant trees to close to the home.
  • Don’t install sheds or buildings to close to the house.
  • Don’t allow sprinklers to hit the home or foundation.
  • When in doubt call a professional, often times an inspection is free http://www.pestworld.org 

Termite Super Highway’s…

Termite Super Highway’s…

 

         

Termites build these tunnels or tubes as a highway into our homes. In nature they would eat and consume fallen trees and convert them back into fertilizer for future trees and bushes. Then we decide to build homes right on top of them and then they decide to eat our homes, what a vicious cycle! Termites build these tunnels for protection against ants and other enemies along with humidity control.

So now is the time to look for these little highways into your home, call ProBest if you see anything like this! 602-249-7378 or 623-414-0176

Artsy – fartsy…. or so they say…

Artsy – fartsy…. or so they say…

 

I don’t exactly know who is in charge here, but somebody is having a BAD day at finding wood. Termites search for wood all the time and sometimes they plain and simply come up the wrong place. This wrong place is the center of the garage and at least 10 feet from any wood. What I really think is cool is notice the termites even attempting to build the tubes up….

                 

Termites here in Arizona are not as voracious eaters of wood as they are on the East Coast of the US but they can and do cause damage if not taken care of. Please call ProBest Pest Management for all your pest/termite issues at 602-249-7378 or 623-414-0176 – we offer free estimates and inspections (except for WDIIR – Wood Destroying Insect Infestation Reports often required for the selling of your home).

Transport Termiticide

Transport Termiticide and how does it work, really. Taking termite control to the next level.

With its unique non-repellent formulation, Transport® termiticide by FMC quickly controls termite infestations that are causing costly structural and cosmetic damage to your customers’ homes while also providing long term protection from future termite invasions.

Transport termiticide is extremely effective at controlling all three genera of termites, including Reticulitermes, Heterotermes and Coptotermes. With its improved speed of knockdown, lasting residual and good resistance management properties, Transport has shown incredible performance even in seriously infested structures. Efficacy data shows that in 94% of treatments, Transport termiticide stopped termite activity within 30 days of treatment.

An application with Transport (label) (msds)actually creates two active treatment zones within the soil. The outer zone provides quick results against termites active inside and outside of the structure, while the inner zone provides a long-lasting barrier of protection to prevent future invasions.

I mentioned yesterday that the only issue I had with Termidor was that it might allow termites an opportunity to rebuild a tube or tunnel and create a callback – this product effectively eliminates that worry.

Termidor WG80, Termidor SC and Termidor Dry

The choice of Pest Management Professionals………..

Photo by PPMA

Photo by PPMA

We offer our customers a choice of two termiticides, today we will discuss Termidor by BASF and tomorrow Transport by FMC.

Termidor 80 WG (the “WG” in Termidor 80 WG stands for wettable granule)  and Termidor SC (the “SC” in Termidor SC stands for suspended concentrate.) when mixed with water they make the same type of solution. They are in fact different formulations of the same product.

  1. Kills by ingestion, contact, and the “Transfer Effect” meaning affected insects help spread Termidor throughout the colony before dying themselves.
  2. Manages colonies up to 6 times faster than bait systems.
  3. Most effective termiticide – over 10 years of test data prove most effective and fastest at eliminating termite populations.
  4. Responsible, low-dose treatment, with no odor.

Termite TreatmentBASF also introduced a dry formulation “Termidor Dry” that can be injected into galleries and wood members where termites are present.

The one and only issue I have is this – months after a job is completed with Termidor another colony of termites may attempt to gain access into the home. Termidor does allow this, however in 90 days the termites will be dead. You don’t want a termiticide to kill to fast as the termites will block tunnels on the dead termites. Now the issue is a callback, most people when they see a tube or tunnel will call and want us to return – so it’s a callback for me. Don’t get me wrong all those little termites will be dead (I think) in the tunnels but a rebuilt tube is a rebuilt tube….

and now ——- Termidor HE Co pack – High Efficiency

Termidor HE Copack expands upon the proven Termidor SC formulation with the addition of a BASF proprietary molecule that temporarily “boosts” the transport of fipronil, the active ingredient in Termidor, into the soil and creates an enhanced protection zone around the structure being treated. Benefits can include applying 50 percent of the water, and thus half the finished solution of a typical Termidor PerimeterPlus application.* It also requires 77 percent smaller trenches and allows for wider hole spacing.

ProBest Pest Management had the opportunity to participate with field trials here in Arizona and this product really works. Why not work with a company that industry manufacturers go to – to test their products? ProBest Pest Management followed protocols and continue to do periodic checks on these homes in the test program.

24/7/365 Termites on the Move!

24/7/365 Termites on the Move!

 

    

Termites work everyday and they are only interested in finding wood (your home) sometimes they make mistakes and come up in the wrong place. The thing they have – is that they don’t ever give up. A few tips:

  • Don’t plant tress or bushes near the foundation of your home, don’t put mulch up near the foundation and don”t pile stone or rock up to the stucco.
  • The same applies to planters, putting a planter up next to the home will only encourage moist and pests.
  • Reduce water next to the foundation. Check your drip irrigation, if sprinklers are involved direct them away from the home.
  • Watch out for pests like rodents (ground squirrels, rats and pocket gophers) digging near the foundation.
  • If you add a concrete slab to your home – pretreat it.
  • If you must dig around the foundation notify your Pest Control company.
  • Store firewood away from the structure.
  • Inspections are good, very good.

 

Contact us to find out more about Termidor Termite Treatments https://callprobest.com/termidor-termite-treatment

Successful strategies to prepare your home for winter:

Successful strategies to prepare your home for winter:

 

The key in my book is to keep an eye out throughout the year. If Africanized Honeybee’s have taken up residence and you didn’t notice it for a year you will have more problems because of the time involved to build more colony and honey storage. So here is my list:

  1. Check your home outside for any holes that may have developed over the past year – seal them, I suggest copper wool (won’t rust) or steel wool. Check for signs of termites, such as termite tubes or tunnels or damage. This can also be damage from water as well.
  2. Check inside your home, look for baseboard or paint that seems to be cracked or crinkled which might suggest termite activity.
  3. Only bring in enough firewood that you will use immediately, firewood can bring in pests like spiders, beetles or termites.
  4. Repair any screens that have been damaged.
  5. The winter is also a great time to check your attic, it’s cooler. Check for animal signs like feces or nesting materials. Check the roof for signs of water staining or damage, if capable check the roof from the outside – check shingles or tiles for any damage.
  6. If this is a cabin, drain the water lines and clean up. This will allow you to notice things on your return visit, remember HantaVirus and the clean up procedures.
  7. Now is also a good time to call your local Pest Management Professional for an inspection, especially here in Arizona because of the monsoon and the rains which make termites more active.

Those damn termites………

Those damn termites………

 

     

If you live in the South you should be familiar with termites, Subterranean termites live in the ground and make their way into your home or structure in a manner of ways including the first picture above. Once they are inside they will forage and look for food, that could be the studs in your home or books like the second picture above. Termites are always looking for food and they will eat anything that contains cellulose. Never store books or papers in the garage on the expansion joints or above any crack in the slab. I recommend a yearly inspection for termites and I also suggest that you walk around your home monthly to take a quick glance at the structure.

ProBest Pest Management offers Free Termite Inspections (this offer doesn’t include WDIIR or Wood Destroying Insect Infestation Reports needed to sell your home)

The artistic termite!

The artistic termite!

 

Most people probably would think that termites are just destructive and be done with it. Not so, says Dr. Bug and Jerry Schappert from http://www.pestcemetery.com sent this picture that illustrates this point. I wrote a home seal some time ago called “Termite castles and their artwork” that shows that termites can be quite the decorators.

Not all things are bad, so when your hiking in the desert look around and take in nature. Everything has its place, even the termites…

Termites cause DAMAGE!

Termites cause DAMAGE!

 

     

24/7/365 Termites work all day everyday and all for the colony and Queen. A few facts:

1. Termite consume and recycle decaying cellulose helping soil.

2. Termites are blind.

3. Reproductives or Alates fly out and begin new colonies.

4. Ants are really the biggest predator against the termites (unless you count ProBest Pest Management).

5. Termites cause around 5 Billion dollars of damage each year in the U.S.

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