National Instiute Allergy and Infectious Disease – Tickborne Diseases, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme Disease and Plague
We do need termites!
Termites break down wood debris in nature, you can find them in logs and here in Arizona cactus and even grass. Termites are always looking for food 24/7/365 and they will do whatever they have to to find it.
RISE —- Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment ®
is a national not-for-profit trade association representing producers and suppliers of various types of pesticides – including insecticides and herbicides – and fertilizers used in residential areas. RISE provides pesticide information as a resource and advocate to the media, policy makers and others who may use or advise on the use of pesticide and fertilizer products.
RISE strongly encourages consumers to read and follow label directions on all household products, including pesticides, to ensure safe pesticide use. Controlling pests to protect your home and family http://www.debugthemyths.com/
“We know you can handle the truth – pesticides help keep our families healthy and our homes happy. But don’t take our word for it. Take a closer look at the research, pesticide regulation, and personal experiences that demonstrate the value these products offer.”
Rodents and your home, what do you need to know?
You must know your enemy! An inspection of your home or business is the first part of your investigation. Most people don’t really care to think about these little furry invaders of our home, but think you must. These creatures carry diseases and can pass along other not so fun stuff, like parasites and other pests. So what should you look for:
- Any opening which could allow rodents to slip into your home.
- Check high and low, check the ceiling, attic and crawlspace areas thoroughly.
- Check the garbage areas, it can often be about food sources.
- Have you seen signs of activity, feces or strange smells.
- Check the attic, also look for chewed wires.
- Trees should not touch the structure, this is like a super highway into the home or business.
- Check screens or windows, check that they are in place and not damaged.
- Check to see that doors are equipped with door sweeps.
- Check where wires come into the building for signs of rub marks.
- Don’t leave pet food laying around indoors or outdoors.
- Check out buildings for nesting of birds or rodents, check under buildings if they are raised. Checks decks and other types of structures – like gazebos, swings or play areas.
- Check garage door seals.
If you decide to attack the issues yourself, use care and caution. If you need some expert advice see out a Pest Management Professional and THINK like a mouse…
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.
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.
The WOW Factor – Termidor HE (High Efficiency) Copack 
Termidor HE Copack – is dispersed more evenly through the soil than standard liquid termite treatments, creating an Enhanced Protection Zone.
Has the potential to save millions of gallons of water each year.
Ensures a more precise application of termiticide around homes.
Reduces the need for much of the disruption, digging and drilling around homes.
Termidor HE Copack is the latest innovation in Termidor technology.
ProBest Pest Management participated by conducting 16 of these test sites.
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?
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…
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