Dave's Pest Control

Category: Termites

  • The Eastern Subterranean Termite

    The Eastern Subterranean Termite

    One of the most damaging pests in Volusia and Flagler counties is the eastern subterranean termite. They account for hundreds and hundreds of calls for pest control services annually. We see swarming termites every year invading our homes and places of business; undoubtedly, they are a menacing sight to behold.

    Termites are a homeowner’s worst nightmare. They slowly destroy any and all wood they find. Subterranean termites live underground and seek out the cellulose in wood. They can be difficult to detect and difficult to get rid of. These tiny invisible monsters hiding behind your walls need to be quickly exterminated before major structural damage occurs.

    In Florida, termites cause thousands of dollars in damage to homes and businesses. If you own property in Florida, chances of having a termite problem are particularly good.

    There are over 2,000 species of termites in the world and roughly 40 species in the United States. In Florida, the three species that cause the most damage are eastern subterranean, drywood, and Formosan termites.

    Subterranean termites make their colonies in the soil. They move from the soil into homes. Even a crack one eighth of an inch is all they need to gain entry to your home. They ingeniously build mud tubes or “tunnels” to travel between the earth and structures they are feeding on.

    Some subterranean termites such as Formosan termites can have up a million or more workers in a colony. This one ‘’super colony’’ can infest several homes at once.

    Traditionally, pest control companies dig a six-inch wide and six-inch-deep trench around your home. A liquid termiticide is poured into the trench in the quantity of four gallons per ten linear feet. The liquid termiticide will eliminate termites if they move through the soil containing the residual chemical.

    To achieve a continuous barrier around the home, holes are drilled into any concrete or pavers surrounding the structure. Once the chemical is pumped into the holes, they are sealed up with concrete patch or specialized plugs.

    Many of the newer liquid termiticides containing Fipronil can remain active in the soil from eight to ten years. However, soil can be disturbed by many processes, causing dissipation of the termiticide. Sunlight and ultraviolet light can also cause rapid dissipation of Fipronil, rendering it useless in protecting against termite damage.

    There are other drawbacks in using a liquid termiticide to protect your home or business. Since subterranean termites build mud tubes in which to travel, they can easily circumnavigate above or below liquid barrier treatments. Subterranean termites can also move far below the foundation of a home or business and resurface to attack the inner walls.

    In coastal towns like Palm Coast, Ormond Beach, and Daytona beach, there are millions of subterranean termites and are considered one of the most damaging pests we have. They indiscriminately destroy homes and businesses from the inside out. Further inland, homes in Orange city, Deltona, and Debary, have substantial subterranean termite colonies.

    Many homeowners who have started remodeling a bathroom find subterranean termites that have been eating away at the inner wall studs. More often than not, the damage is costly and a major inconvenience, both money-wise and timewise.

    Subterranean termites can go unnoticed for years before they swarm. If you see swarming termites inside your house, there is a good chance they have been inside the walls of your home for years.

    Subterranean termites find food somewhat by chance. Worker termites fan out in all different directions looking for wood. When a worker finds a sustainable food source, it will use chemical pheromones to signal the other termites in its colony.

    Worker termites are responsible for the entire health of a colony. They are the ones that feed the soldiers, the king, and the queen. While the king and queen are busy producing new termites, worker termites feed on wood and in turn feed the others. Soldier termites keep guard against invaders like ants, which have been the enemy of termites for over a 100 million years.

    Ants will attack termite colonies by ripping the termites’ heads off and devouring their bodies. Soldier termites use their large, sharp mandibles to defend their fallen brethren; alas, it will all be in vain. Ants always have the advantage over termites in both speed and numbers.

    Termite Castes

    (Caste is a social ranking or a social insect system)
    A typical termite colony consists of eggs, larvae, workers, soldiers, and a king (male) and queen (female). The colony life cycle begins with eggs that hatch to larvae. Nymphs become workers and soldiers which feed on cellulose.
    Reproductive winged termites are called alates; they turn into a new king and queen. They lay the eggs that start the cycle all over again. This whole process can take from five to eight years. Overall swarming activity takes place in southeastern Florida from late February to late May and June.
    The earliest termite fossil in known existence dates to over 130 million years ago. Termites are closely related to cockroaches; both are grouped under the order Isoptera (Greek for two pairs of straight wings).
    For years termites were called white ants until the use of microscopes helped distinguish different features between the two. Termites, like cockroaches, have survived millions of years due to their social characteristics, their ability to be undetected by most predators, and division of labor much like ants, bees, and wasps. However, the termite’s big difference is any caste can be male or female, furthering the success of the entire colony. It is safe to say termites will be here for millions of years more.

    Control and Prevention

    Preventing termites from getting into your home can be achieved by not allowing water to accumulate along your home’s foundation. Fix plumbing leaks and replace wet, rotting wood. Trees and old stumps on your property should be inspected for termites.

    Sentricon Bait Stations

    Dave’s pest control now uses Sentricon bait stations with Recruit HD. Sentricon bait stations are installed around the perimeter of your home, placed eight to ten feet apart. The linear feet of your home will dictate how many stations are needed. Each bait station is installed 12 -18 inches away from a home’s or business’ foundation and are put 10 -12 inches deep into the ground. Before installing each bait station, we check for underground irrigation water lines and other obstructions.

    The bait stations should also be placed in any area conducive to termites such as high moisture areas around the home’s foundation from air conditioning units, irrigation systems, and gutter downspouts. Other conducive areas are found near tree stumps, woodpiles, or any other place with a lot of wood or falling tree branches and limbs.

    Inside each station is a large circular block of a highly dense formulation of cellulose and an insecticide called noviflumuron. Noviflumuron is an insect growth regulator (IGR) that prevents successful molting and development of subterranean termites.

    This disruption in the termite’s development will lead to the decline and death of the entire colony. In scientific studies, Recruit HD bait was placed beside normal wood. Termites chose the Recruit HD bait matrix over the wood. Interestingly, the bait becomes more favorable the longer it is in the soil. The bait formulation remains effective for up to eight years.

    The Sentricon baiting system is supported by Dow AgroSciences, a pioneering expert in the elimination of subterranean termites.

    Liquid treatments can be used in conjunction with bait stations to provide a superior barrier of protection. Liquid Termiticides are fast acting and can kill up to six feet from the treatment area. Liquid Termiticides can also kill by a secondary repellency and transfer of the chemical to other foragers. Having both methods of protection serve as backup in case one of the systems should fail.
    Call us today for a free estimate for your home or business using Sentricon with Recruit HD.

  • Formosan Termites In Florida

    Formosan Termites In Florida

    Formosan termites are a type of termite believed to have been introduced into the United States from China and Taiwan. They are named for Formosa, the former name of Taiwan.

    Like the eastern subterranean termite, Formosan termites feed on wood and make mud tunnels to move back and forth from above and below ground. One big difference is that Formosan termites can also build aerial nests above the ground. These nests are called “cartons” and serve as a secondary nest for the termites.

    Also, like subterranean termites, they enter our homes and places of business through open cracks, expansion joints, and utility lines. Once inside, they will eat anything containing cellulose. Cellulose is essentially plant fiber that is extracted from wood pulp. Moisture meters can be used to locate areas of high moisture indicating the presence of termites inside your walls.

    Another difference between subterranean termites and Formosan termites is the speed in which they feed on wood. The destruction Formosan termites inflict is faster and much greater than the Eastern subterranean termites.

    Formosan termites are found primarily in the southern United States including Florida, Southern California, and Hawaii. These destructive termites were positively identified in New Smyrna Beach just last year. Coastal towns like Flagler beach, Ponce Inlet, Ormond beach, and New Smyrna beach are all susceptible to Formosan termites.

    Formosan Termite biology

    Formosan termites have a caste system made up of workers, soldiers, and reproductive swarmer. The workers are about an eighth of an inch long and are responsible for eating wood to digest cellulose.

    Soldiers are about a quarter of an inch in size and are easily identified by their large mandibles and teardrop head. Only Formosan termites have a teardrop shaped head; eastern subterranean termites have large square shaped heads.

    Reproductive swarmers are called “alates” and are about one quarter of an inch long and tan in color. Their four wings are the same size in length.

    Termite alates are responsible for creating new termite colonies. Seeing them swarm inside your home is a sure sign you have an active termite colony.

    Both Subterranean termites and Formosan termites create tunnels and chambers inside wood that go along with the grain, not against it.

    Termites are in the order of Isoptera which are considered true social organisms. They undergo an incomplete metamorphosis consisting of an egg, nymph, and adult. Their queens can live up to 50 years, the longest life span of any insect.

    The name termite is derived from the Latin word termes, meaning woodworm. Old English referred to termites as white ants or wood ants, but we know now that termites and ants are not similar at all. In fact, termites are closely related to cockroaches and considered to be a sister species.

    Termites use chemical pheromones to communicate with each other. A termite’s antenna is used for sensing touch, taste, pheromones, vibration, and heat.

    Unlike swarming ants, termites have equal sized back wings and front wings. Male and female termites pair up and land together to search for a suitable place to start a new colony. This is called swarming.

    When termites swarm, they fly in many directions for a short time before their wings break off. This flight is known as nuptial flight. Once on the ground, they mate using pheromones to communicate with each other. If a suitable place is found to call home, the two alates will become a king and queen that mate for life.

    Both the size of the colony and environmental conditions determine when swarming reproductive termites take flight. Environmental conditions conducive to reproductive swarmers include time of day, wind speed, moisture, and rainfall. The size of a termite colony depends on how much cellulose is available to nourish the growing colony.

    A termite queen may only lay a few eggs at first but can deposit up to 1000 eggs a day in older, more mature colonies. A king will mate with a queen for life, and they never leave the nest. Since the queen is so large, she cannot feed herself and depends solely on worker termites to feed and groom her. If a queen disappears from the colony, a king can make pheromones to help produce new termite queens.

    Diet of Termites

    Formosan termites and subterranean termites both feed on wood and digest the cellulose contained inside the wood using bacteria called protozoa located inside their gut. Protozoa are single-celled organisms that help the termites digest cellulose. It is interesting to note that the exoskeleton of insects is made of a biopolymer called chitin, which is closely related to biopolymers in cellulose. It is said “you are what you eat;” in the case of termites, this is extremely true.

    Termite Workers

    Termite workers are responsible for the damage we often find. Workers are also responsible for feeding the king and queen. Worker termites also feed the soldiers and care for the larvae. They are appropriately named; workers do just about everything needed for a healthy, thriving, reproductive eusocial colony.

    Termite Soldiers

    A growing termite colony needs an army to defend itself from invaders. This is the job of termite soldiers. You can tell a soldier termite by the large mandibles attached to its big head. When invading ants threaten the existence of the colony, termite soldiers immediately go on the offensive and attack. They bravely fight to the death protecting their home, their workers, and the king and queen.

    A scientific study done in 2018 and published by the Royal Society showed that the age of a termite played a determining role in deciding who defends the colony from an attack. It was previously believed that the best candidate to take on the defense of a colony is a young, sterile soldier. The results from this study, however, revealed just the opposite. Older, more mature soldier termites consistently attacked and defended the colony better than the younger termite soldiers.

    This age specific task ensures the overall survival of all the soldiers in the colony. When a predator ant was placed in a petri dish with both young and old soldier termites, the older termites quickly attacked and fought the predators to the death. Younger soldiers were more timid and more hesitant to defend the colony.

    Facts About Termites

    In the United States, homeowners spend an estimated five billion dollars a year on termite control and prevention. Termites are the major structural pest in Florida, inflicting significant damage to homes and businesses alike.

    They are also incredibly important to the natural environment through their breaking down and recycling dead wood, branches, and tree limbs.

    Termites grow by molting as do many other organisms on earth. Molting is derived from Latin and means to change. Other species that molt are spiders, lizards, tree crabs, snakes, frogs, dogs, cats, and chickens.

    Sentricon Bait Stations

    Our sentricon bait stations use this molting process to stop termites from successful development. An insect’s exoskeleton is made of an inner and outer protein layer. After consuming the sentricon bait, termites cannot molt.

    Inside each bait station is a circular block of a highly dense formulation of cellulose and an insecticide called noviflumuron. Noviflumuron is an insect growth regulator (IGR) that prevents successful molting and development of both Formosan and subterranean termites.

    This disruption in the termite development leads to the decline and death of the entire colony. In scientific studies, Recruit HD bait was placed side by side with normal wood. Termites would choose the Recruit HD bait matrix over the wood. Interestingly, the bait becomes more favorable the longer it is in the soil. The bait formulation remains effective for up to eight years.

    Once a year the bait is checked. If the bait is untouched, it is left in the ground. However, if the bait has been consumed and more than a third of the bait is gone, it will be changed.

    More frequent inspections should be carried out if a heavy infestation is suspected. If active termites are already present, we have many options to stop them quickly from damaging your property using Sentricon Recruit AG Flex pack. This is especially useful for termites that are above the ground in aerial nests.

    Protect your home or business with Sentricon.

    Call us today for a free consultation.

  • Termites, Us and Them

    Termites, Us and Them

    Imagine one day you just finished watering your favorite garden tomatoes in your yard in Ormond Beach, Florida, and you notice there is a small leak dripping from the shut-off valve. No matter how tight you turn the handle, it still has a small drip. But it’s not that bad, so it gets put into the, “I’ll get to fixing that next week”, file. Eventually, later, it gets fixed.

    Little did you know, a small amount of moisture was found by a subterranean termite scout. He sent back a complex set of pheromones signaling to the rest of his colony. “I FOUND WATER!”

    The Astonishing

    Three years later, on a warm spring evening, you settle into your favorite chair to enjoy some mindless television with a cold glass of sweet tea. That’s when you see them, thousands of swarming termites. They are everywhere. They’re surrounding your windows and lights. They’re in your tea. They’re in your chair. Your mind is racing with thoughts as you look at the horror-like sight of thousands of bugs swarming in your home. What can you do? Then you remember, your coworker recommended Dave’s Pest Control last week during your quarterly budget meeting. His home had a similar problem which was quickly solved. Dave’s Pest Control also provides once-a-year termite inspections going forward for your peace of mind.

    The Family Ghost

    Subterranean termites are an unseen menace hardwired to seek and destroy all the wood in your home. Drawn like a moth to flame, they go unnoticed, eating away at your most important asset you have, your home. Gradually, they eat away at the wooden studs within your walls. Like a ghost, they live within the walls, haunting the living. From unknown origins, they fly in your face, and die upon our feet.

    From where did they come from? What can I do to get rid of them? How do I keep them from returning?

    Termites need food, (cellulose such as wood) and moisture to survive. Wooden materials that we use to build our homes can offer an ideal environment for these wood destroying insects to thrive. Air conditioning units that have run-off moisture can give enough water to sustain a large subterranean termite colony. Typical subterranean termite colonies can contain between 60,000 to 1 million termites.

    Damage from these pests are both expensive and extensive. Subterranean termites cause more damage to homes in the United States than storms and fires combined. Damaged wood can sometimes be so bad that a home’s structural integrity can become compromised. Damage can go unseen for years until the colony gets so large they swarm to form a new colony. Swarming termites is a sure sign you have a mature colony hidden somewhere inside your home or business.

    It is estimated that 60% of homes in Florida have some evidence of termites. We see termite infestations in Daytona Beach and surrounding areas all the time. Houses between 50 and 70 years of age have the highest chance from suffering termite damage. Almost every house built in the United States has wood construction. Wood has always been abundant and plentiful in the United States. Trees provided wood for the first settlement at Jamestown in 1607 and 90 percent of homes today are built with wood. It is faster, easier and more cost efficient then building with bricks and cement.

    Termite Bug Info

    The earliest termite fossil known in existence, dates back to over 130 million years ago. Preserved in tree resign called amber, entomologists have been able to gain important information regarding the relationship between protozoa and termites. Dating back to the Cretaceous period, samples of termites from 80 million-year-old amber found that oxygen levels were 35% higher than today. This supercharged oxygen content saw the emergence and evolution of giant insects.

    Termites are closely related to cockroaches and are under the order Isoptera. (Greek for two pairs of straight wings.) For years, termites were known as white ants until the use of microscopes helped distinguished different features between the two. Termites like cockroaches, have survived millions of years due to their social characteristics. They can go undetected by most predators, and the division of labor is much like ants, bees, and wasps. One prominent difference, are termites can be male or female. This ability to be any caste in the colony greatly increases the chance of survival.

    The Imminent Threat

    Termites are social insects closely related to cockroaches. They have an incomplete metamorphosis. A typical termite colony will have eggs, larvae, workers, soldiers, and a male king and female queen. A termite colony’s life cycle will start with eggs that hatch to larvae. These nymphs will turn into workers and soldiers which feed on cellulose. Cellulose is essentially plant fiber that is extracted from wood pulp. Termites have microorganisms in their gut called protozoa which breaks down the cellulose. Reproductive adult winged termites called, “Alates”, will turn into a new king and queen. They will lay eggs start the life cycle again. This whole process can take from five to eight years. Overall swarming activity takes place in eastern Florida around late February to late May and June.

    There’re two main types of termites that are the most problematic in Florida. The Eastern Subterranean Termite, and the Drywood termite. Both will swarm, and distinguishing between both is important. They’re several different treatment options available depending on what kind of termites you have.

    Subterranean termite colonies live underground and can enter through plumbing pipes, cracks to your home’s foundation, and any wood to ground contact. Porch and deck supports, as well as landscaping mulch, can harbor termites. They will build mud tubes and tunnels to reach wood several feet above the ground, and will travel back and forth between the ground and the wood.

    Drywood termites live within wooden structures. They tunnel out galleries inside the wood and will often “push out” a mixture of wood and feces, called frass. These holes are often called kick out holes and are sure sign drywood termites are feeding. These termites are often more difficult to get rid of and often require fumigation to control them. Drywood termites can have many colonies within a structure depending how long they have been present.

    Control and Prevention

    In the United States, subterranean termites cause over 2 billion dollars in damage each year. Prevention of termites in your home can be achieved by keeping water from accumulating along your home’s foundation. Fixing plumbing leaks, and replacing wet, rotting wood. Trees on your property should also be inspected, as well as old stumps that may be present. Subterranean termites benefit the natural process of organic decay. Trees grow old and eventually die. The decomposing branches, limbs, and stumps are consumed by termites which have protozoa in their gut. Termites cannot digest cellulose without this protozoa. New born termites are fed feces from older adult termites that have protozoa.

    CSI bait stations can also be used, but can be slow acting. They are non-repellent and accumulate in the colony before mortality occurs. They kill the brood first and will eliminate the colony regardless of distance from baiting.

    Liquid termiticides are fast acting and can kill up to 16 feet from treatment area. Liquid termiticides can also kill by a secondary repellency and transfer of the chemical to other foragers. Full elimination of a large colony can take some time regardless of which treatment method you choose.

    Termites are remarkable insects that inhabit almost every climate on earth. They provide a vast array of importance for the breakdown of organic materials in our natural world. This ongoing recycling is important for a healthier ecosystem; however, these bugs can also destroy your home or business. If you find termites in home or business, call Dave’s Pest Control.

  • Exterminator Advice: Spraying For Spiders

    Exterminator Advice: Spraying For Spiders

    We spray. That’s what exterminators do. We spray all the time to exterminate all sorts of pests–ranging from spiders to bed bugs to termites, roaches and other unwelcome pests.

    Watch Mike, one of our certified pest control experts, explain how to most effectively spraying to exterminate pests–in this case spiders in Ormond Beach, Florida. While he’s spraying for spiders, he also explains how to treat for other pests, like roaches.

     

  • Types of Beetles that Eat Wood

    When most people think of wood destroying organisms (WDO’s), they think of termites, specifically subterranean and drywood termites. However, there are many other insects that destroy wood. A less common but potentially devastating invader are beetles.

    The pest control industry assigns beetles that eat structural wood into two categories: beetles that reinfest wood and beetles that do not reinfest wood. Beetles that do not reinfest wood are typically forest insects that begin their life cycle in old trees that were milled into wood for infrastructure or furniture.

    When they emerge from structural wood or furniture in someone’s home, they are usually not able to reinfest the wood. Homeowners and commercial property owners should be concerned about the types of beetles that reinfest wood since these are the beetles that can create structural damage to wood.

    Below are some types of beetles that eat wood

    Beetles that reinfest wood

    • Anobiid Powderpost Beetles
    • Lyctid Powderpost Beetles
    • Bostrichid Powderpost Beetles
    • Old House Borers Beetles

    Beetles that do not reinfest wood

    • Ambrosia Beetles
    • Bark Beetles
    • Round-headed borers
    • Flat-headed borers

    Types of Beetles that Eat Wood

    There are different types of beetles that feed on wood and cause structural damage, few of them have been explained below.

    Anobiid Powderpost Beetles
    Anobiid Powderpost Beetles, also known as woodworms or wood borers, are found in unheated spaces where moisture can be high, such as a crawl space or a garage or a barn. They feed on the sapwood and heartwood of softwood and hardwood. When these beetles infest wood, they can chew for decades. One of the easiest ways to distinguish this beetle is that its head is hidden from above. For a more technical approach, these beetles have frass that is tapered and feels gritty. As adults, they grow to be 1/8th to ¼ of an inch.

    Lyctid Powderpost Beetles
    Lyctid Powderpost Beetles are found in new construction wood, stored wood, and furniture. Lyctid beetles feed on sapwood of ring porous hardwoods, such as oak, hickory, ash, mahogany, and walnut. The frass feels like flour when rubbed between fingers. Like the Anobiid beetle, adults reach 1/8th to ¼ of an inch; however, unlike the Anobiid Powderpost Beetle, the Lyctid’s head is visible from above.

    Bostrichid Powerpost Beetles
    Bostrichid Powerpost Beetles seldom damage wood that is being used actively, and will not reinfest structural wood. Bostrichid’s feed on sapwood. A unique way to identify Bostrichids is that they have rough particles that stick out on the pronutum, which is near their head. While the head is hidden from view like the Anobiid, the Bostrichid has antennal segments that stick out, while the Anobiid antennal segments are kept in a compact club near the head. Depending on the different species, such as the Bamboo Borer or the Oriental Wood Borer, the beetle can range from 1/8th of inch to ½ an inch as an adult.

    Old House Borer Beetles
    The Old House Borer attacks the sapwood of pine and other softwoods. They can be found in new pine log homes as well as siding or porch flooring exposed to high humidity, water leaks, or rain. The frass of an Old House Borer is fine with dull ended pellets. Another way to identify the Old House Borer is that their larvae can be heard in the walls making a rhythmic ticking noise. The adults like to eat wood less than 10 years old, and are larger than the previously mentioned beetles, measuring in at 5/8th of an inch to one inch.

    Wharf Borer Beetles
    The Wharf Borer attacks very moist wood, focusing on softwood. Where timber contacts moist soil is when they can be a problematic to homes and commercial buildings. These fives types of beetles can be exterminated in multiple ways.

    Ways To Exterminate These Beetles

    If the problem is rampant throughout the structure, tenting (tent fumigation) might be the best option. If a technician determines the beetles are isolated to small furniture, a technician or homeowner can store the furniture in a freezer for 72 hours at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. This should eliminate the pest.

    A heat treatment can also work if done properly, but can lead to the beetle spreading to other areas. A licensed technician can perform different chemical treatments, which is highly effective and the preferred method of the technicians at Dave’s Pest Control.

    There are different types of chemicals that can be used to exterminate wood destroying beetles. Premise and Talstar are possible options; however, Boracare is this best method in our opinion, and was proven in a controlled experiment by the Department of Entomology at the University of Georgia.

    Call Dave’s Pest Control if you suspect you have beetles or any wood destroying organisms (WDO’s), like termites that need to be exterminated, in your home or in your property.

  • Asian Termites vs. Formosan Termites in Florida

    Asian termites have become a major problem in South Florida. They are a new species native to South East Asia that most likely arrived via shipping ports in the early 1990’s. Asian termites are very similar to Formosan termites but are better suited for tropical climates. They have a long-life cycle, ranging from five to eight years.

    Since 2000, Formosan and Asian termites have grown significantly in Florida. From 2000 to 2010 there has been a 20% increase in Asian and Formosan termites, and from 2010 to 2015 50% increase. At this rate, by 2040, all of Florida will have Asian and Formosan termite infestations. Asian termites swarm from early February through April, while Formosans swarm a little later in the year. Both species of termites swarm mostly at dusk, and to a spectator, these swarms appear as very big clouds of termites in the sky.

    The physical difference between Asian and Formosan termites can only be determined under a microscope. If you compare the soldier termites, the Formosan soldier has two hairs on the fontanelle (on frontal part of head) whereas the Asian termite has only one.

    These pests have implications for Florida termite control. In addition to wreaking havoc on homes, the Formosan termite in northern Florida and the Asian termite in southern Florida have become major problem to pine trees, damaging under the bark to the outer layers of the tree. Interestingly enough, termites do not hollow out the slash pines that we have so prevalently in Florida like they do other tree species. To treat termites in slash pine trees, an above ground bait system is needed. Oaks and other trees that are hollowed out at the center can be treated by filling the void of the tree with a termiticide foam. A liquid termiticide and a baiting system will have to be utilized together to keep the tree population safe in Florida, and to keep these termite invaders at bay.

  • Extermination through Fumigation—To tent or not to tent, that is the question.

    When most people see a fumigation, the only thing they see is a large “circus tent” covering a structure. But most people are not aware why the structure has been tented. Are they treating for termites? Are they doing a bed bug treatment ? Are they trying to clear up a roach infestation? The answer could be any of the above or for something completely different. Pest control may or may not require fumigation tenting—but it is based on specific situations. So when should someone consider having their structure tented?

    The first and most important step in determining whether or not your structure may need a fumigation is Identification. There are many different types of termites and wood-destroying organisms (WDO’s) that can attack and nest within a structure. While some WDO’s may be living in the wood like drywood termites, or powder-post beetles, others will invade a structure from an exterior source like a woodpile next to the house, or the soil underneath the structure. Identifying what pest has actually made it’s way into the structure will determine what type of treatment is best.

    Another consideration is the type of structure in question. Some structures might be limited in options depending on many factors. Does the structure have a crawlspace? Is it accessible? Does it have an accessible attic? Many structures are unique and may have limits on options available. This is why you MUST call a licensed professional to inspect the property to see what the issue is and what are your current options.

    Currently on the market there are several different treatments available. All will vary in technique and price. Some providers offer heat treatments, liquid treatments, foam treatments, or even just spot treatments, and of course fumigation tenting. Just be sure to speak with a professional certified company to insure the best mode of action.

  • Fumigation Is a Safe and Effective Way to Exterminate Termites in Your Home

    No one in Eastern Florida is better at exterminating termites and effectively preventing them from returning than Dave’s Pest Control. We’ve learned a lot about exterminating termites since our founding in 1980.
    Termites do a lot of damage to an infested home. Regular inspections for these and other pests remains an important part of home ownership. When found early, a pest control company can eradicate them more easily. If you have a bad infestation that’s difficult to control otherwise, you may need to have your home fumigated.

    Here are some things to know about this pest control method.

    Fumigation Kills Bugs With Poisonous Gas

    Pest control companies utilize fumigation because of the effectiveness of the gas. It seeps into tiny cracks, flows between walls and permeates your entire home. The fumigation team first covers your home with a tarp to hold the gas in place for several hours. This ensures bugs have no place to hide and escape the deadly fumes, like bed bugs that are hard to exterminate.

    The gas is harmful to all living things, so you’ll need to stay out of the house until the process is complete. While the gas itself is poisonous, it doesn’t leave any dangerous residue behind, so the treatment is safe as long as it’s applied by a skilled professional.

    Preparation Begins Days in Advance

    The fumigation tent stays on your home for a few days, so you need another place to stay during that time because you cannot enter your home once the fumigation begins. Pack clothing and supplies for your family so you’ll have everything you need to stay with a friend or in a hotel. You must also remove all pets from the home, which includes fish, birds and small mammals such as gerbils.
    Take house plants outdoors and place them several feet away from the house. Nothing living should remain indoors except the termites.

    Your pest control company will instruct you on all necessary preparatory steps for your home, and you may be given bags to seal things in for protection.

    This includes putting food in boxes and bags. Some things you’ll want to ask about are dishes, linens, food and children’s mattresses. You may need to take some items with you and double bag others. Since residue isn’t a concern, there isn’t worry about contamination of your home after all the gas dissipates.

    You’ll also need to open everything in your home so the gas has easy access to your cabinets, drawers, and every room in your home.

    In addition, some prep work may be needed outdoors if you have landscaping plants close to your home. The plants need to be trimmed back from the foundation for their well-being and to allow the exterminators room to work.

    Airing Your Home Clears the Poison

    Once the treatment stage ends, the fumigators air out your home to get rid of lingering gas. This process lasts several hours, and the exterminator takes samples of the air in your home to determine when it is clear and safe for you to return. Ask for details about cleaning your home so you won’t worry about using your furniture and cooking supplies.

    Since no residue from the fumigation should be left clinging to the surfaces in your home, the only cleanup that’s generally necessary is what makes you feel comfortable, such as washing dishes and linens. The gas that’s used to kill the termites is mixed with tear gas when it is applied so people are alerted to its presence. You don’t have to be concerned about odorless gas being present that you are unaware of. Remember, your fumigator makes sure your home is completely safe before you’re allowed to go back inside.

    Once the gas is gone, all the bugs in your home, including the termites, should be dead. The gas may even soak into the soil around your foundation to eradicate termites under the ground too. Since there is no residual effect, you’ll want to work with your exterminator to prevent the termites from coming back.

    Fumigation is an important job, but it still disrupts your usual routine and probably causes you concern, so you want to work with experts who put your mind is at ease. If you have a termite problem, don’t let the bugs destroy your home. Call Dave’s Pest Control for a safe and effective solution that puts an end to your termite infestation fast.