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Wicked Termites ———-

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Wicked Termites ———-

         

This is termite damage in Arizona, I want to point out a few details on these pictures. These pictures can be enlarged just click on the pics. You will notice that the termites do their damage from the outside in and specifically notice the paint. Termites won’t eat the paint and often just as these pictures show there is damage underneath and sometimes only visible when touched. The most obvious detail is the dirt, termites bring dirt up with them to protect and keep themselves from drying up.

             

This is the exact same thing that I look for in doing a Termite – Wood Destroying Insect Infestation Report. I look for baseboard that looks damaged from the outside in and somewhat typical of the photo’s above. So put on your sleuthing cap and take a look around your home for those WICKED TERMITES….

Water Damage can occur inside or outside.

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Water Damage can occur inside or outside.

 

    

Depending on circumstances water can leak or enter wood in a variety of ways. Improper flashing at a roof or leakage near a shower of bath can result in damage occurring and often times tracing its way to the ground. If this happens it can reduce the amount of termiticide needed to prevent termites from entering a home.

Termites are a threat to your home and result in over 5 billion dollars of damage each year in the U.S. Termite treatment is a job best handled by Professional Pest Management companies due to the equipment and techniques needed to perform the work.

Termites can pop up in the weirdest places.

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Termites can pop up in the weirdest places.

 

         

With termites you never know where they will show up, I have seen them in bathrooms and garages. Really almost anywhere in the home, they are not real peculiar in where they show up.

Any crack or intrusion within that concrete slab allows them access. Given that crack – they will find it.

Technology continues to advance with new and unique termiticides, Termidor, Transport and Altriset.

“Call a Pro… Call the Best. ProBest!”

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

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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…

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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

Termidor WG80, Termidor SC and Termidor Dry

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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!

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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

I suggest you wear your shoes!

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I suggest you wear your shoes!

 

It’s dark outside and you need to run to the garage, so you ask yourself “Should I put on my shoes?” – The answer is an unequivocal – YES. Bark Scorpions pack a sting that could send you to the hospital and this whopper – Desert Hairy Scorpion will sting you but generally is not as bad as the Bark Scorpion.

Successful strategies to prepare your home for winter:

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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.
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