Walnut Creek Termite Control, Termite Control Walnut Creek CA
Drywood Termites Walnut Creek:
We know how destructive termites of all kinds are, and how important effective treatment is to you and your surroundings. That is what Termite termite Control does so well. We use state of the art methods to treat subterranean, damp wood and dry wood termites in Walnut Creek.
How To Tell Termites From Winged Ants;
All termites have a “thick waist” where their abdomen is joined to their middle body region (thorax); but all ants have a “pinched-in” waist at that point.
DRYWOOD TERMITE DETECTION
Drywood termites are secretive insects and are difficult to detect. They live deep inside wood and, except during periods when they swarm or when repair work is being done on infested homes, they are seldom seen. Colonies are small (usually fewer than 1,000 individuals), can be widely dispersed, and take years to mature. While a homeowner may initially detect the presence of termites when they swarm or if fecal pellets are discovered, inspecting for drywood termites and determining the extent of an infestation require experience.
The minimum requirement by California state law for drywood termite inspections includes visual searches of accessible areas. However, detection of difficult-to-find infestations may require removal of walls, paneling, and stucco as well as the use of ladders and scaffolds.
During a visual inspection for drywood termites, inspectors look for feeding damage, shed wings, termite fecal pellets, and kickout holes, which are small holes the size of BB shot through which termites push fecal pellets out of the wood. Fecal pellets, hexagonal in shape, are diagnostic for drywood termites. However, whether the infestation is currently active or what the extent of the infestation is cannot be determined from pellets alone. Cleaning up the fecal pellets around a kickout hole and checking a few days later to see if new pellets have appeared can help to determine if an infestation is active. (Building vibrations/movements may cause some pellets to appear.) If an active infestation of drywood termites is found in your structure, you should have it treated.
Walnut Creek C.A. Termites have antennae that look like a ”string of beads” but all ants have a distinctly “elbowed” antennae. Termite swarmers have two pairs of long narrow wings with very few clearly visible veins, and both the front and back pair are nearly equal in size and length. Winged ants have two pair of wings with several distinct cross veins, shaped like long tri-angles and the back pair is much shorter than the front pair.
Subterranean Termite Walnut Creek
Subterranean termites build nests in the ground. They search for wood (food) farther and farther from their nest as their colony numbers grow. Foragers may make underground tunnels or above ground “shelter” tubes of mud, feces and debris. These tunnels are then used to search for new food sources and to connect their nest to their food.
They can enter a building without direct wood contact with the soil through such tubes. Termites can enter buildings through cracks, expansion joints, foam insulation, hollow bricks or concrete blocks, or through spaces around plumbing. They can find their way into a structure through an opening as small as 1/32nd of an inch. Any building, whether constructed with a slab, basement or crawl foundation can be infested with termites.
Whenever subterranean termites leave the soil in their search for food, they construct mud tunnels to protect themselves from predators, and also to ensure that a high level of life-sustaining moisture is maintained within the workings.
Don't Be a Victim to Walnut Creek Termites
Termites feed on wood and may also destroy paper products such as books, cardboard boxes, furniture and various other items. Even buildings with steel framing and masonry walls are targets because of wooden doors, window frames, wooden support beams (often hidden), cabinets or shelving within them.
Look for These Signs if you think you need Walnut Creek Termite Control:
Possible signs of a termite infestation include:
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Pencil-sized diameter, or larger, mud tubes running across bare concrete or masonry between the soil and any wooden part of your building.
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Thin, small, paper-like wings all the same size and shape on your window sill, counter top or floor.
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"Bubbled" or distorted areas of paint on wooden surfaces.
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Any wooden building parts (especially if they are important support structures) that begins to sag.
Detecting and Controlling termites is a Job for a Walnut Creek Termite Professional
A thorough termite inspection by a Walnut Creek termite control specialist is the first and most important step in protecting your property. Experienced eyes can locate the specific areas in your structure where a termite attack is likely to occur. Special tools, such as moisture meters and sound amplifiers may be used by some inspectors if a termite infestation is found. One of our Walnut Creek Termite specialist will design a specific treatment just right for your property.
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