Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the signs of a termite infestation?Common signs include mud tubes, discarded wings, and hollow-sounding wood. Regular inspections can help catch these signs early.
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How can I prevent moisture around my home?Ensure proper drainage and fix any leaks to reduce moisture, as termites thrive in damp environments.
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Should I store firewood away from my home?Yes, keep firewood at least 20 feet away from your home and off the ground to deter termites.
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Is it important to seal cracks and crevices?Absolutely! Sealing gaps in your foundation and around windows can prevent termites from entering your home.
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When should I schedule a professional inspection?It's wise to have a professional inspection at least once a year, especially if you live in an area prone to termites.
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What are the signs of a termite infestation?Common signs include mud tubes, discarded wings, and hollow-sounding wood. If you notice any of these, it's crucial to contact a professional immediately.
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How can I prevent termites?
The best way to determine if termites are in your home is with a thorough inspection from a pest management professional. Unfortunately, termites don’t always leave apparent warning signs and detection can be difficult without professional help.
There are estimates of how much termites cost homeowners each year in damage repair throughout the internet. Most of these estimates are in the billions of dollars which is a significant reason to be aware of early warning signs. If You are concerned about termites in your area or would like information about termite prevention call us for a free consultation.
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What treatments are available for termites?There are various treatments, including liquid termiticides, bait systems, and fumigation. A pest control expert can recommend the best option for your situation.
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How often should I have my home inspected for termites?It's advisable to have a professional inspection at least once a year, especially if you live in an area prone to termite activity.
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Are termite treatments safe for my family and pets?Yes, modern termite treatments are designed to be safe when applied by professionals. Always discuss any concerns with your pest control provider.
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What are mud tubes?
Mud tubes are tunnels made by termites to travel between their colony and food sources. They are typically found on walls, foundations, or in crawl spaces.
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What are the signs of termite damage?
Look for hollowed-out wood, mud tubes on exterior walls, or discarded wings near windows and doors. These can all indicate a termite presence. Regular inspections can help catch these signs early.
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Should I be concerned about moisture?Yes, termites thrive in moist environments. Check for leaks in plumbing, roofs, and basements. Reducing moisture levels can significantly lower your risk of a termite infestation.
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When should I call a professional?If you notice any signs of termite activity or damage, it's essential to contact a pest control professional immediately. Early intervention can save you from costly repairs.
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What does damaged wood look like?
Termites often leave wood that sounds hollow when tapped. Look for small holes or frass, which is termite droppings, as signs of damage.
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What are the types of termites?
There are three main types of termites: subterranean, drywood, and dampwood. Each type has different behaviors and risks, so understanding them can help in prevention and treatment. The subterranean termite is the most common in New England.
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Why are discarded wings a concern?
After mating, swarmers shed their wings. Finding these wings near windows or doors can indicate a nearby infestation.
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How do Trelona ATBS Annual Bait Stations work?Due to its large and innovative station design, termites find Trelona ATBS bait stations fast. Termites feed upon the cellulose matrix within Trelona Compressed Termite Bait, which termites prefer over the wood used in homes. Termites travel back to the colony, sharing the bait containing Novaluron, a fast-acting chitin synthesis inhibitor. As a result, Trelona ATBS achieves on-going structural protection through colony elimination.
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How much damage can termites do to your home?
Termites cause damage in hidden areas, behind walls, under floors, in crawl spaces, attics and basements. This damage can be truly devastating, costing individual homeowners thousands of dollars in structural repair. Termites work 24 hours/7 days a week at damaging the wood in and around a structure.
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How can you tell if termites are in or near your home?
Unfortunately, there may be no or few warning signs but look for these:
- Termites “swarming” during the day or early evening and often after rainfall.
- Termite evidence in or around windows and doorframes.
- Shelter tubes appearing on or around the foundation.
- Baseboards and floors which may sound hollow.
- Dead termites or termite wings on window sills or along walls.
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How can termites enter my home?
Termites can enter homes with as little as 1/32-of-an- inch opening and usually unseen through shelter tubes in hidden areas.
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What do termites eat?Termites eat cellulose, the basic building block of wood. termites will also eat other cellulose materials such as books, sheetrock paper, picture frames.
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Does homeowners insurance cover termite damage?Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover termite damage.
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How long until the termites are gone?
Typically termite control can be achieved in less than a few months, however, factors beyond the control of the bait or PMP (such as colony size, location, environmental conditions, and amount of other cellulose) may contribute to how long it takes the bait to work.
Pest Assassins will monitor your system on a scheduled cycle to ensure the current infestation is eliminated and and future threats are dealt with.
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Can firewood bring termites inside my home?Subterranean termites live in the ground, not wood piles. Any termites trapped in the fire wood will not survive without the colony and queen. However, carpenter ants and wood boring beetles are capable of coming in with the fire wood and potentially cause a future infestation issue.