All posts in “termites”

You really have to be on the game with termite control, part 2

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You really have to be on the game with termite control, part 2

 

Two different termite inspections this week and did they put me to the test.

 

    

 

Warehouse, we did locate Subterranean termites on the ceiling but about 25 feet away from this location. The difficult part was that there were walking planks everywhere and didn’t always allow for a great inspection. I found these tubes near a bathroom, so I’m pretty sure they are either coming a crack or the bath-trap to the sink. The inspection process is what really matters and you must be on your A game everyday……..

You really have to be on the game with termite control, part 1

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You really have to be on the game with termite control, part 1

 

Two different termite inspections this week and did they put me to the test.

Normally my first guess is that we are dealing with Drywood termites, usually Drywood’s are brown in color but I’m glad I dug deeper into this swarm. Just to set the record straight we don’t encounter swarming termites like they do the east coast, I ran into one a few years back in Mesa so that is 2 in 7 years. These little termites also made a swarm at around 4 pm to 7 pm and generally speaking – Subterranean termites 11 am – 2 pm and Drywood’s 4 pm – 7pm and I’ll mention Formosan termites from 11 pm to midnight (give or take). So the clues are building, these termites swarmed from a vent in the laundry room, I checked the attic but nothing visible and then after cleaning and taking a few samples I had that ah ha moment. At the very corner of the laundry room behind the washer I thought I noticed some peeling of the baseboard. I pulled out the washer and started to dig and I found the termites and guess what – they were subterranean termites not Drywood’s. So you can’t judge a termite by it’s color…..

What’s in your attic?

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What’s in your attic?

 

Have you ever been in your attic or crawlspace? I’ll bet like most you probably haven’t and I don’t recommend doing it from April to September here in Arizona. The temperatures could be in the high 150’s and you wouldn’t want to pass out up there and die from heat exhaustion. But anyway back to the real story: it is important from time to time to at least walk around your home and look up to the roof-line to make sure you don’t have openings in the soffett which would allow animals or birds to enter. The same can be said of insects like honeybees, which can also cause extreme conditions after they are eliminated. A quick glance will let you know what critters might be in the attic, rodent feces and rub marks could certainly be an indication of present problems and warrants a further look. Remember that secondary pests might become a nuisance after you solve the main problem of the original pest ie: bird mites, ticks or fleas – bat bugs etc. So if you can prevent the initial encounter – you may prevent the entire mess.

    

Termite tubes and tunnels…

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Termite tubes and tunnels…

                         

#1 & #2 Down tubes – the termites have gone up the wall and are coming back down via down tubes

#3 Damage to drywall – termites will sometimes pop out of the inside of the drywall and do some damage to the paper

#4, #5, #6 Tubes and tunnels coming up from expansion joint in the garage – easiest way to determine if you have termites

What are they thinking?

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What are they thinking?

It’ just not a good idea to stack anything up near the foundation of your home. This goes for stone & rock, mulch, firewood or for that matter anything that blocks the foundation from view. The reason that the stucco doesn’t go to the dirt is so you can see the foundation and spot any trouble before it happens.

Termites can sneak up the foundation wall and begin to eat your home very quickly, so please do those monthly inspections and we won’t be seeing you!

But we are always there if you need us ProBest Pest Management 602-249-7378

I can spot these from the streets – termite tubes…

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I can spot these from the streets – termite tubes… Can you?

 

     

Well it’s that time of year to be watching out for termites here in Arizona. Monsoon brings water and rain and the termites begin to forage because of it. So this is what you keep an eye out for, mud tubes or tunnels and if they get into the home drop tubes or damage on the sheetrock or drywall.

So if you see something suspicious call us to take a look, it may be nothing or it might be those pesky little termites. p

ProBest Pest Management

425 W. Guadalupe Road #110

Gilbert, Arizona 85233

602-249-7378 or 623-414-0176

Termites are incredibly skilled and can cause some BIG problems!

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Termites are incredibly skilled and can cause some BIG problems!

 

     

Termites cause 5 billion dollars worth of damage each year and you know the old saying ” It’s not if you have termites it’s just when you will get them”. I’m sure you remember me saying to inspect your home each month especially in the summer but if you live up north it’s probably not a bad idea to check them often. Maybe that little raccoon or opossum might decide it’s time to bed down for the winter and that is under that tarp in your shed.

Termites build these tubes or tunnels to access the wood and if you make it easy on them by placing the wood into direct contact with the wood they will exploit every opportunity to get at it.

​Post Tension Slabs versus Floating Slabs

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Post Tension Slabs versus Floating Slabs

 

From time to time even the post tension slab could crack or allow entry point for termites to get through, the floating slab has concrete meeting concrete and therefore has a crack where termites can make entry into the home. The one thing to remember is never drill the concrete post tension, unless you know what you are doing. Hands down the better slab is the Post Tension in regards to termites, less protrusions through the concrete. Take precautions and take it slow!

    

Termite Season is here in Arizona – what do you look for?

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Termite Season is here in Arizona – what do you look for?

Well the rains of monsoon have begun along with the huge walls of haboob dust storms, so that means its time for the bugs to come out in force.

So exactly what do you look for:

1. Mud tunnels or tubes on your foundation walls –

2. Maybe you haven’t seen any tunnels or tubes outside but you notice something coming down from the ceiling.

3. It is unusual but I have seen it – but termites do swarm! So maybe you have seen a few flying things – what is the difference between an ant and termite?

Have you ever had one of those days?

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Have you ever had one of those days, when you think the world may be against you?

Yes all of us probably run into this weekly, maybe daily. We can handle it primarily because of faith, faith maybe in a few different things like 1. Faith in God 2. Faith that it just happens 3. Faith that it probably can’t get much worse, but anyway you get my drift here. I don’t want to go on about the economy or the government, or preach about the existence of God but you know stuff just happens.

So here are a few tips to stop that stuff from happening – especially the bug or bird kind of stuff.

  • More cases of Bed Bugs are happening right now because we are traveling for the summer, so take precautions.
  • Get a termite inspection yearly, it can’t hurt – it’s not like a colonoscopy (I just had to throw that in) it’s nothing like that….
  • Don’t put firewood against your home, don’t allow rocks to be higher than the stucco.
  • Clean up those oranges and grapefruits that fall on the ground, better yet give them to the food bank.
  • Clutter in and around your home can lead to pest infestations.
  • Don’t let tree limbs touch the house.

When in doubt seek out a trained professional for advice – the National Pest Management Association has a great website for consumers.

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