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How To Tell If You Have A Termite Infestation In Your HI Home
8/22/13
Termites are pests that can elude homeowners in Honolulu and Hawaii for months or even years even though they are active all year long. Because of this they can cause costly structural damage to your home and damage personal items like furniture and picture frames. In Hawaii there are two types of termites that invade properties, the ground termite and the drywood termite; both termites eat and destroy wood but ground termites live in and feed on soil and invade wood that has had previous water damage. Drywood termites however will build nests in sound dry wood. It is important to know and understand the signs of either termite so that you can get help for them from a Honolulu exterminator sooner rather than later.
Signs of drywood termites in your home include:
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Termite droppings- Drywood termites expel their droppings (frass) from their nesting areas. The droppings look like tiny pellets, the frass will build up over time underneath the infested wood.
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Holes- Drywood termites create small holes (1mm) in the wood to expel their feces.
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Weak wood surfaces- If an infestation has been going on for quite some time the surface of the wood will become very weak and is puncture easily.
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Termite swarms- The winged reproductive members of the drywood termite colony will swarm from the nest in small numbers frequently to breed and start new nesting areas. After swarming the termites wings will fall off and be scattered around your home alerting you to the fact that there is a mature termite colony living in your home.
Signs of ground termites in your home include:
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Mud tubes- Ground termites build their nests underground and will travel back and forth from the nest to their food source in mud. These tubes (also referred to as tunnels) are about the width of a pencil and if termites are on your property you will see them running towards your home and creeping across your foundation.
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Weak wood surfaces- Ground termites creates tunnels throughout the wood that they are invading which results in the wood appearing weakened, and splintered. Paint may also start to bubble and peal. If you tap on the wood it will sounds hollow.
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Warped wood- In advanced infestations your doorways, ceilings, and floors may start to appear warped.
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Mud- Ground termites will try to fix any holes that they have created in the surface of wood with a mixture of mud and salvia.
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Termite swarms- The winged reproductive member of the ground termite’s colony swarm once or twice a year in large numbers in the spring or summer. They will shed their wings in large piles underneath you windows and doors; seeing this you should prompt you to get immediate help for a termite infestation.
No matter which species is invading your Honolulu home there are effective treatment options that will eliminate your termite infestation. One of the most effective means of termite control is termite baiting. Termite baiting allows homeowners to eliminate ground termites and then provides 24/7/365 prevention against new infestations without the need for invasive drilling, digging or trenching. The Sentricon® Colony Elimination System is one of the best examples of termite baiting systems. The Sentricon system provides proven environmentally friendly termite colony elimination with over 15 years of success for homeowners in Honolulu, Hawaii and all across the country. Fumigation is another effective means of termite control and is used commonly in Honolulu to eliminate variety of pest problems. Fumigation involves a tent being placed over your home and then the area under the tent is filled with a gas pesticide, which will kill all termites and their eggs and larvae.
Termites should not be overlooked or left untreated; they are responsible for more damage to homes then earthquakes, fires or storms. For termite treatment in Hawaii you should contact your local pest control company. Professional pest control experts will be able to help you choose which treatment method that is the right fit for you and your property. Don’t let termites spend one more day in your home, get help today!
For termite control in Honolulu and Hawaii, Sandwich Isle Pest Solutions offers effective treatment options including termite baiting and termite fumigation. In business since 1997, this HI pest control company can help you identify and resolve infestations of termites.