This is the month when you may begin to see evidence of
termites in or around your home. People often have trouble distinguishing
termites from ants. There are however, distinct differences. Termites have two
sets of equal size wings, beaded antennae and the abdomen is broadly joined to the thorax. Ants have elbowed
antennae, two sets of different size wings and the connection between the
abdomen and thorax is constricted.
Subterranean termites
- There are many species of termites, but you only need to be concerned
with two general types – the dry wood termite and the subterranean termite. At
this time of the year, you may see swarms of subterranean winged adults both
indoors and outdoors. They select a mate, fall to the ground and search for a
site in the soil to start a new colony. The male and female adults remain
together for many years with the female laying thousands of eggs. Subterranean termites are present in most residential
landscapes. The presence of the little white worker termites in mulch, in
rotting logs or swarming adults outside of your home does not necessarily mean
that they will eventually infest your house, but of course it is possible.
However, if you see winged adults flying in your house, then you probably have
an infestation which will need treatment.
Termite infestations need to be treated by a professional.
Call 2-3 reputable companies for a free inspection. If you have questions call
the Extension Office. Left untreated, a large subterranean colony can eat up to
one pound of wood per day – 365 pounds per year. There are excellent soil
insecticide and bait treatments available for control of subterranean termites.
This treatment should give your house five or more years of protection from
termites. Be sure to ask the company about the warrantee.
The treatment for drywood termites is altogether different
from subterranean termites as the infestation is an aerial one not associated
with soil, so it is critical to identify the winged adults or the type of
damage. An identifying characteristic of drywood termites is the presence of
fecal pellets which they push out of the infested wood. The pellets are small
(not powder-like), can be different colors from red to white depending on the
wood, and have indentations on the sides. If you are unsure of the type of
infestation you have, bring a sample to the Extension Office and I will examine
it.
The treatment of choice is tenting in which the structure is
enclosed in a plastic tarp. After the tarp is secured over the house, a
volatile gas is pumped into the structure. The gas penetrates the wood and
kills the termites. There is no residual with the gas treatment, so future
re-infestation is possible. There are other less expensive treatments in which
the suspected wood is drilled and an insecticide is injected into the void
occupied by the termites. The problem with the drilling treatment is that
colonies can be missed.
What can you do
around your home?
·
Do not leave wood scraps lying around your yard.
·
Do not place mulch up against your foundation –
any type of mulch as this increases the capacity of the soil to hold moisture.
·
Repair leaky hose bibs.
·
Direct sprinklers away from the house.
·
Stucco or veneer exterior finish should be 6-8
inches above grade so you can see mud tubes. Subterranean termites will travel
up from the soil behind stucco and veneers and on into the house.
·
Do not disturb soil around foundation as this
may impact previous termite treatments.
·
Watch for drywood termite fecal pellets.
·
Repair screens and caulk cracks and crevices in
structure.
·
Keep shrubs at least 2-3 feet away from
foundation – termites will travel under foundations following tree roots.
Written by
David Shibles
Urban Horticulturist
Polk County Extension Service
David Shibles
Urban Horticulturist
Polk County Extension Service
