Termites: How to Identify and Control Them
Does termite damage worry you? If so, you're not alone. per annum termites cause billions of dollars in structural damage, and property owners spend over two billion dollars to treat them. This fact sheet focuses on how you, as a consumer, can identify and help protect your property from termites through effective prevention measures and appropriate use of termite treatments. On this page: How do i do know if I even have termites? How am i able to prevent termite infestation?
What are the various sorts of termite treatments? Are pesticides used against termites safe? How do I handle a termite infestation? What if something goes wrong? What is the government’'s role in termite control?
Where am i able to get more information? How do I do know if I even have Termites? The first step in prevention is to get on the alert for termites. Termites rarely emerge from the soil, mud tubes, or food sources through which they're tunneling.
most of people aren't aware they need termites until they see a swarm or encounter damage during construction. a number of the ways to get if you've got termites are listed below: Examine, by probing, exposed wood for hollow spots (using a flathead screwdriver or similar tool). Identify termite swarms (sometimes ant swarms are mistaken as termites).
Ants Drawing of an ant front wings longer than the hind wings antennae bent at ninety-degree angle Termites Termite Drawing wings are roughly equal long antennae are straight; may droop The most common sort of termite in most of the us is that the native subterranean termite. EXIT Other, less common, sorts of termites include the smaller dry wood termite EXITand the invasive Formosan termite.
Top of page How am i able to Prevent Termite Infestation? Make the Structure Less Attractive to Termites During construction, use a concrete foundation and leave a ventilation space between the soil and wood. Cover exposed wood surfaces with a sealant or metal barrier.
Maintain the Termite Prevention Features After construction, keep the soil round the foundation dry through proper grading and drainage (including maintenance of gutters and downspouts). Reduce openings that provide termites access to the structure (filling cracks in cement foundations also as around where utilities undergo the wall with cement, grout, or caulk).
Fix leaks immediately. Keep vents free from blockage, including plants. Ensure that trees and shrubs aren't planted too on the brink of the structure and don't allow them to grow against exposed wood surfaces. Do not pile or store firewood or wood debris next to the house.
Inspect periodically to assist make sure that termite colonies don't become established. Top of page What are the various sorts of Termite Treatments? Non-Chemical Treatments Some ways to stay termites out don't involve the appliance of insecticides.
For example: One such method may be a physical barrier, typically incorporated during construction. Steel mesh and sands of particular sizes are shown to perform effectively as physical barriers. Biological control agents (nematodes and fungi) have demonstrated some success, particularly in laboratory settings. Because these methods don't involve the appliance of an insecticide, EPA doesn't regulate them.
Chemical Treatments Before a corporation can sell or distribute any pesticide within the us, aside from certain minimum risk pesticides, EPA must review studies on the pesticide to work out that it'll not pose unreasonable risks to human health or the environment. Once we've made that determination, we'll license or register that pesticide to be used in strict accordance with label directions. The pesticides used for the prevention or treatment of termite infestations are called termiticides and must demonstrate the power to supply structural protection before we register them.
In most cases, termiticide application can only be properly performed by a trained pest management professional. Approved treatments include: Liquid soil-applied termiticides. Termite baits. Building materials impregnated with termiticides. Wood treatments.
Two common sorts of treatment are conventional barrier treatments and termite baits. Conventional Barrier Treatments The most common technique for treating termite infestations is that the soil-applied barrier treatment. Termiticides used for barrier treatments must be specifically labeled for that use.
If conducted improperly, these treatments can cause contamination of the house and surrounding beverage wells and can not protect against termites. For that reason, it's important to rent a pest management professional who is licensed and trained to require proper precautions. the foremost common active ingredients found in conventional termiticides are: Acetamiprid Bifenthrin Chlorantraniliprole Chlorfenapyr Cyfluthrin Cypermethrin Esfenvalerate Fipronil.
Also see general fact sheet on fipronil (PDF) (3 pp, 390.9 K, About PDF) EXIT Imidacloprid. Also see general fact sheet on imidacloprid (PDF) (3 pp, 405.8 K) EXIT Permethrin. Also see general fact sheet on permethrin EXIT Also see our website on pyrethroids and pyrethrins for general information on the pesticides during this class and our reevaluation process for them.
Termite Baits In recent years, several bait systems are introduced to assist reduce the general use of insecticides and therefore their impact on human health and the environment.
These systems believe cellulose baits that contain a slow-acting insecticide. The most common active ingredients found in termite baits are: Diflubenzuron - inhibits insect development. Hexaflumuron- first active ingredient registered as a reduced-risk pesticide.
it's used as a part of a termite inspection, monitoring, and baiting system. Also see general fact sheet (PDF) (3 pp, 248.46 K) EXIT Hydramethylnon (PDF) (5 pp, 150.66 K) EXIT- insecticide wont to control ants, cockroaches, crickets, and termites. (Also see information on hydramethylnon regulatory status.) Lufenuron- an insect phytohormone wont to control termites and fleas. Noviflumuron (PDF) (6 pp, 97.8 K)- disrupts termite growth and activity.
Wood Treatment Borates - commonly used as a sprig on application during new home construction to guard wood. Top of page Are Pesticides Used Against Termites Safe? As the agency liable for regulating all pesticides, including termiticides, sold, applied, or distributed within the us, EPA must make sure that the pesticide, when used consistent with label directions, meets current safety standards to guard human health and therefore the environment. to form such determinations, we require quite 100 different scientific studies and tests from applicants.
Most states also review the pesticide label to make sure that it complies with federal labeling requirements and any additional state restrictions of use. Many termiticides are highly toxic, making it critical to follow label directions with added care. Pest management professionals have the knowledge, expertise, and equipment as needed by the label, which minimizes risks and maximizes effectiveness.
Top of page How do I Handle a Termite Infestation? Choose a pest control company carefully - Firms offering termite services must be licensed by your state. Ask to ascertain the company’s license and, if you've got any concerns, call your state pesticide regulatory authority EXIT. Please read our Citizen’s Guide to Pest Control & Safety for more recommendations on the way to choose a corporation which will do an honest job.
Read the pesticide product label - The label tells you exactly how the merchandise is to be used and provides information on potential risks. If the label doesn't include directions to regulate termites and protect the structure, then the merchandise isn't intended to guard the structure against termites and will not be applied.
If you would like to ascertain a replica of the merchandise label, ask the corporate representative for a replica. Be aware of the how soon you'll return to the treated residence - The time required before the residence are often reoccupied will vary by product and can be indicated on product labels. confirm the applicator has told you once you are allowed to reenter the building. Top of page What if Something Goes Wrong? To register a complaint concerning a pesticide misapplication, contact your state pesticide regulatory authority EXIT. you'll also want to call the National Pesticide Information Center’s (NPIC) EXITtoll-free hotline at 1-800-858-7378. NPIC provides experts who can answer a broad range of questions concerning pesticide-related issues, like product use and health effects.
Top of page What is the Government's Role in Termite Control? EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs provides information and tools to federal, state, local agencies and therefore the public on termite control.
Our rigorous pesticide review process is meant to make sure that registered termiticides used consistent with label directions and precautions can effectively treat termite infestations with minimal risk.
We function a source of data about pesticide and non-pesticide controls to the overall public, journalism, and state and native agencies. We encourage termite prevention efforts.
We have stringent standards for the registration and use of termite control products. We require a minimum number of years of proven effectiveness and certain label statements before we register termite products (See Pesticide Registration Notice 96-7 and OCSPP Harmonized Products that only claim to kill termites haven't demonstrated the power to guard structures against termites. These products are only intended to kill termites that directly contact the pesticide, not the entire infestation. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has several termite research and control programs.
Provides invaluable research on different termite control treatments and technologies. The U.S. Forest Service provides research support associated with termites.
They publish news and events for the general public on termites and termite control. The National Invasive Species Information Center has information on Formosan Subterranean Termites. USDA funds Louisiana State University termite programs on termites and Formosan Subterranean Termites.
State and native government agencies EXIT play a critical role in termite control by: regulating (licensing) pest control companies and testing pest management professionals providing consumer advice and knowledge sheets on various structural pests
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