Termite Identification & Treatment
Termites are wood-destroying insects which commonly infest forested environments and generally live in the soil. The indigenous termites in Kansas live in the soil and are called subterranean termites. Their part in nature is to digest decaying wood and turn it into nutritious soil. Specifically, they seek out areas that have moisture and cellulose materials such as wood.
Much like ants, termites are social insects that randomly and continuously forage for food. The workers are blind because they live in tunnels. They follow complex chemical markers called pheromones which tell them where to go and what to do. Modern research has shown that termites will travel the length of a football field to gather food.
The queen is capable of laying thousands of eggs every day to grow the colony while the workers feed and groom the queen and her subjects. The worker is the most abundant member of the colony and is responsible for damaging wood structures.They tear off small wood particles, digest the wood in their gut and feed it to the rest of the colony.
Swarming Termites
Often, in early spring, termites will swarm out of the colony creating a mass of winged insects in an attempt to start new colonies. These swarmers are reproductive members of the colony. Therefore, they are the future queens and kings of new termite nests. A colony is usually four to five years old before it produces swarmers. If you discover swarmers in or around your home, it’s a sure sign you have a mature colony working on your property. Patton can provide proactive termite prevention that will eliminate termite colonies before they get to this stage.
Termite Damage
Termites are silent, destructive insects, that cause billions of dollars in property damage in the US yearly. At a minimum, you should have your home inspected every year or two to see if you have an active infestation. US Forestry surveys indicate that Kansas is heavily infested with termites with an average or 7 to 8 colonies per acre. So, if you have a quarter acre lot, it is likely that you will have two active termite colonies on your property. Patton provides preventive as well as curative termite protection to make sure these colonies do not invade your home and cause extensive damage.
Signs of Termite Infestation
Swarming termites look similar to flying black ants. The visible termites (alates) swarming out of the colony are immature reproductive males and females. Their mission is to mate and start new colonies. Upon landing, they break off their wings, select a partner, mate and crawl into a dark, damp area to found a new colony. Swarmers are only one of many signs that you have an active termite colony on your property.
Often, homeowners will discover mud tunnels or tubes running up foundations or bridging gaps between construction elements. These closed tunnels provide termites with protected access from the nest to the wood. They have to maintain a closed system to keep from drying out. They need high moisture levels to survive. Other signs of termites are areas where wallpaper or paint are bubbling on the walls. In bare wood, they sometimes leave small amounts of mud. If you suspect you have termites, your best course of action is to call a pest control specialist to inspect and offer treatment options.
Termite Treatment & Control
If you are looking for termite treatment, in Wichita, Kansas or the surrounding areas, Patton Termite & Pest Control is here to help! There are many different factors that go into termite treatment, so we start with a thorough examination of the property. Patton’s treatment plan works with your existing construction and landscaping features to be minimally invasive. Also, our termite treatment plan takes into consideration the size of the structure and scope of the infestation. One of our trained professionals will inspect the property to provide you with a treatment plan and pricing. Patton Termite and Pest Control can assess each infestation separately and recommend a rigorous treatment plan that will effectively control the termite population or prevent a termite infestation from occurring.
Curative termite treatment can provide lasting protection for years to come. Our termite treatment methods are effective for homes, businesses and so much more! The White House and Statue of Liberty, to name a few, are equipped with the Sentricon® Colony Elimination System. We are confident we can solve any termite issue and protect from future infestations with Sentricon®.
The Sentricon® Colony Elimination System is a green termite elimination system that uses termite biology against the colony to eliminate it. The top picture is a Sentricon® bait station that termites have just begun to feed on. Below, is a Sentricon® bait station that has been fed on by termites until the colony has been eliminated. These environmentally friendly stations protect your home from termites without pumping thousands of gallons of chemicals into the ground. Sentricon® stations are installed around the perimeter of the home, about 10 feet apart, to create a barrier that provides 24/7 protection from termites. You can rest easy knowing that your biggest investment is being protected.
Terminate Termites Right Away
If you don’t address termite infestations right away, eventually your house will have enough damage that you will be forced to take care of the termite problem. Termites have a very sophisticated work model, taking shifts and working without rest for hours and weeks on end. They can cause serious structural damage to your property. They might even spread to your neighbors’ homes or your outdoor structures, causing even more damage. The best bet is inspection and treatment before the damage is too extensive. We would be happy to send out a technician to take a look at your property and give you options and pricing.
Kansas has a moderate to heavy termite pressure that is constant. It is not possible to keep termites away from your property. You can reduce the conducive conditions and give yourself a protective barrier with the Sentricon® System. Our experts will be able to assess your property and show you places that encourage termite colonization. We can inspect your home inside, outside, in the crawl space and in the basement for signs of termite activity. The two most common conditions needed for a termite colony to thrive are moisture and wood.
- Regularly walk your property looking for any indication of termites.
- Check the foundation for moisture accumulation and mud tubes.
- Manage the water flow with consistent, proper functioning of gutters, downspouts and splash blocks.
- Replace old boards, decaying wood and any problematic foundation issues.
- Keep vents clear from overgrowing vegetation, shrubs and tree roots.
- Wood mulch in flower beds can provide food and moisture for termite colonies immediately adjacent to your house.
- Remove tree stumps.
- Provide proper ventilation and reduce humidity in crawl spaces.
- Don’t allow wood to remain in direct contact with the soil.
- In the Wichita area, homes are 3 times more likely to be damaged by termites than fires.
- Termite damage is rarely covered by homeowners insurance.