Termite Control

Termites are very common in the central Ohio area and are often confused with ants although ants live above ground where they are visible and do not feed on wood. Termites, however, are considered subterranean insects and thousands exist and care for their young in colonies entirely below the surface of the earth.  Termites feed on cellulose which can be found in the fiber of wood, paper and cardboard.  In a forest or woodlands area, they play a beneficial part in our environmental ecosystem by consuming dead trees and plant matter.  When termites invade our neighborhoods or homes they are highly destructive and cause serious structure damage to buildings, furniture and more.

Adult worker termites,
adult soldier termite and nymph

Because termites are subterranean, it is often difficult to detect a problem.  Tunneling below the frost line, termites will go to the source of food, like your home and anything containing cellulose.  Most often, a termite problem is not detected until serious damage has been done in your home.  If the infestation level is high, you may see one or more of these signs below.

Swarming
When the temperature and conditions are right, termites will exit their colony and swarm as they pair up and mate.  This activity occurs during the daytime and often after it rains usually between the months of March to May in central Ohio.  Only lasting a few minutes, swarming usually results in the shedding of wings that may be left around windows, doors heating vents, sinks or bathtubs.  Save a wing sample for a Columbus Pest Control specialist to examine for proper identification.

Mud Tubes
Since termites live only underground, they build mud tubes that lead to a food source.  These tubes are approximately the diameter of a pencil and can be found inside or outside your home and often disappear into door and window frames or under siding.

Wood Damage
Because termites eat wood from the inside out, it is difficult to spot this pest problem until significant amounts of damage has been done.  Termites forage along the soft grain of wood forming honeycombed patterns and often their paths are packed with soil.

Live Termites
Occasionally, live termites might be uncovered when a home is being remodeled.  They are soft, light colored insects about the size of a grain of rice that will move quickly away when they are exposed to light.

Termite Control Systems

Columbus Pest Control uses two very effective pest control methods for termites.  Using either a liquid chemical barrier treatment or a bait system, Columbus Pest Control applies the treatment around the perimeter of your home or affected area.  Termites feed on the bait and then take it back to the colony where it is fed to other termites.  This results in the elimination of the entire colony.

Contact Columbus Pest Control to determine which system will be most effectively eliminate your termite problem.

For full story and informational video about the life span and habits of termites, click here

Columbus Pest Control uses Sentricon’s green environmental bait systems. For additional termite information, see this manufacturer link:  http://www.sentricon.com/