Residential Termite Control


Termites
Fun Fact:	Pheromones regulate many activities in the termite colony, allowing worker termites to lead each other to food sources and communicate to the queen whether to produce eggs for workers, soldiers or reproductives.
Have termites invaded your home?
	Homeowners don’t want termites, but, if you’re like me, you need reliable answers to questions concerning: What? Where? Why? And most importantly, how? The where, what, and why are answered by an analysis of your premises. During the initial inspection an HPM certified technician will identify the food and water sources, all wood to ground contact and other conditions that promote termite activity. The most important question however is “How?” How are termites getting into my home and how do I deal with a termite infestation? The how identifies the current and potential termite points of entry and exit. The how also identifies what must be done to stop the existing infestation and finally, the how identifies what must be done to reduce the likelihood of future activity.
Point of Interest:
	Monolithic foundations (solid one piece foundations used for most homes) present two primary routes of entry for termites. The exterior route – termites build mud shelter tubes up the exterior side of the foundation The interior route - termites will enter through the foundation itself via anexisting crack as small as a human hair (1/32nd of an inch). These openings are typically a simple stress crack or a crack around a plumbing line. *See illustration
Indications:	The most common indicator is a sudden, dramatic appearance of winged “alate” termites commonly referred to as swarming. When it occurs indoors it is often one of the first signs of a structural infestation. Subterranean termites swarm in an attempt to initiate new colonies. The second most common indicator is the presence of “mud tunnels” on the outer foundation walls (see the picture below). The third common indicator is the presence of pin holes in sheetrock filled with “mud”, or mud tubes extruding from walls, window casings or window sills. Point of interest: Termites are commonly mistaken for ants resulting in an unnecessarily prolonged infestation period. Treatment and periodic inspection by our HPM certified professionals will reduce the impact of subterranean termites on your premises.
Inspection:	An HPM certified professional inspector will conduct an analysis of your premises to identify suspected visible wood destroying insect activity. Identify existing conditions that may promote termite activity and identify potential entry / exit points. Upon completion, your certified technician will review his findings with you and provide you with detailed recommendations and suggest a control program tailored to your needs.
Plan of action:
	Begin by calling our office and scheduling an appointment with one of our HPM certified professionals. Once at your home we will conduct an inspection and evaluation analysis of your home.
An HPM analysis will:
	Reduce the time to control and start the termite elimination process. Correctly identify the activity present at your home, and the points of entry. Possibly reveal other non-related pest issues you may not be aware of. Reveal what can be done to reduce the probability of termites returning. Provide you with useful homeowner tips and suggestions. Provide specific costs relative to your home and your termite problem(s).
To schedule your appointment call: 1-888-BUGSHPM or 281-376-3901

Still have questions?

Couldn’t find the answer to your question here? No problem! Visit our HPM
Pest Library or call one of our certified professionals today. We’re more than
happy to address all of your pest questions or concerns, as well as recommend the treatment that is right for you.

Termite FAQ

My next-door neighbor has termites. If they treat their house will the
termites attack my house next? Should my house also be treated?

Termites move randomly through the soil searching for a source of food . SO if your next-door neighbor treats his home for termites, your house isn’t automatically the termites' next lunch.
No, your house does not need to be automatically treated; however, if there are active termite infestations in your neighborhood, it is always prudent to have
your home inspected. 1-888-bugshpm. Call now to schedule an appointment!

How do I tell the difference between termites and ants

Physical differences between the two groups are often subtle, but there are characteristics that easily distinguish the two. The main visible difference between ants and termites is:
Ants have a constriction of the abdomen between the thorax and the rest of the abdomen. Termites are broadly joined between the thorax and abdomen. In other words, ants have a narrow or pinched waist and termites do not.

If I put mulch in the flowerbeds around my house, will this attract termites?

Any source of cellulose will be attractive to termites. Damp conditions
under layers of mulch are considered an ideal habitat for termites.

What can a homeowner do to prevent termites?

The most important thing is to remove the conducive conditions termites need
to survive. Termites need moisture, so avoid moisture accumulation around
the foundation of your home. To help keep moisture controlled divert water
away from your home with properly functioning downspouts, gutters and
splash blocks.
Reduce humidity in crawl spaces with proper ventilation.
Prevent shrubs, vines and other vegetation from growing over and covering
vents and foundations.
Be sure to remove old form boards, grade stakes, etc. left in place after the
building was constructed. Remove old tree stumps and roots around and
beneath the building.
Most importantly, eliminate any wood contact with the soil. An 18-inch gap
between the soil and wood portions of the building is ideal.
Have an HPM certified inspector routinely inspect the foundation of your
home for signs of termite activity. 1-888-bugshpm. Call Today!

If termite inspections are done correctly will they find all the termites that are there?

It isn’t possible for an inspection to yield definitive results unless termites are found. There will be areas of your home that the inspector will be unable to evaluate because they may be inaccessible for one reason or another.
If you live in a high infestation area preventative treatment may be an important consideration even if no termites are found.