What does a termite look like? The question can only be answered by taking a good look at the different kinds of termite in the colony.

White and Small

The worker termites are small, white, and closely resemble white ants. In the termite hierarchy, it is the worker termite that foragers for food for the entire colony. Eradicating the foragers means eradicating the colony’s food supplier. What better way to get rid of the entire colony than to start with the worker termites?

Winged Swarmers

The reproductives have wings and are known to swarm during certain times of the year. One of the best tell tale signs of termite colonies is the swarmer. As soon as these are observed around your house, it is time to check for termite mounds where possible colonies have thrived.

The Royalty

The king and queen termite usually confine themselves in the termite mound. Queen termites are long, large, have large, elongated bodies that are light in color. The king termite may be smaller than the queen but his body is darker in color.

In arid and tropical savannas, termite colonies construct large and elaborate mounds. Usually, these mounds have very distinctive forms with tall wedge-shapes. It is usually shaped for a reason: thermoregulation.

Hot air usually rises in these termite mounds above ground. This helps drive circulation currents inside the network or chambers inside the mounds, keeping it cool enough for the termites to thrive in.

In some cases, termite mounds can reach as high as six feet. However, most termite colonies build their mounds somewhere around two feet.

How does it work? Termite mounds are able to regulate temperature because of the ducts and holes within their structure. It may be difficult for millions of inhabitants in a single mound, located in single nest burind a meter beneath the ground but termites were able to address the problem of ventilation with these termite mounds.

Humor

Termite poems are characteristically humorous, though. No matter how great a poet, one can hardly be inspired to write a poem on friendship or love story between humans and termites! One poet, Ogden Nash is known for his witty poems including one short one on termites.

The Termite by Ogden Nash:

Some primal termite knocked on wood
And tasted it, and found it good!
And that is why your Cousin May
Fell through the parlor floor today.

In one stanza or in 4 short lines, Mr. Nash basically summed up in this termite poem what these little insects can do. While it may sound hilarious in a poem, we can hardly say the same in reality. Termites can not only eat up a home literally, their damage may also prove to be dangerous for the people living in it.

Termite poems does more than entertain readers. If we look deeper and closer into the wit and warning embedded in termite poems, we may find out that termites are enemies that are not to be taken lightly.

Termites usually reproduce or lay eggs during spring. The worker termites work on eating up wood while waiting for the eggs to hatch. This provides ready nourishment to the babies that are about to join the colony. If you want to perform termite control effectively, do it right before spring.

Theoretically, that is the best answer. However, the question of when to do termite control should be considered throughout the year to prevent pesky insect from getting into the moist soil beneath the house. This will prevent termite from inhabiting your house in the first place.

As soon as the weather warms and the rain begins, you should even be doubly careful about possible swarming of termites. This is the best time to know whether you need to do a termite control.

Check for leaks around the house. Where water can leak out of the house, termites can also get in the same leak holes. The next step is to assess the situation and find out if your termite control measures will involve chemicals or not. Chemicals can get rid of the termites effectively. Most chemicals used for termite control these days are already safe to use and won’t cause any dangerous or adverse effects to humans.

Here are some of the duties and responsibilities of a termite inspector:

1. Every home being sold by a realtor must undergo termite inspection. If you’re planning to buy a new home, inquire from your real estate agent if the home you are about to buy has been inspected by a professional termite inspector.

2. Termite inspector and termite inspection companies should provide their clients with price quotes so the clients can have the option of going for your services or looking for cheaper options.

3. A termite inspector should provide the homeowner or the client with a complete assessment of the problem areas and he or she must be able to walk the client through his or her report in case the client needs to clarify something.

Termites feed on wood - the wooden beams that hold up the roof, support the walls and ceiling. Weakened wood is therefore dangerous to the whole structure and to the family. The most common termite home treatment starts with having your home assessed for termites by a licensed pest control company regularly. Usually, these companies apply termite prevention treatments. However, once termites are detected, the pest control company can recommend a suitable solution based on the extent of damage done by the termites.

As a homeowner, you have several options when it comes to termite home treatment program. You can choose between chemical and non-chemical treatments. Homeowners who are careful about maintaining the environment may opt for non-chemical treatments. This treatment usually involves using natural components to prevent termites from infesting wood sources.

In extreme cases though, chemical treatment may be necessary. Today, chemicals for termite treatments have undergone research, study and modification in such a way that these chemicals are strong enough to get rid of the termites but safe enough for the human inhabitants.

For DIY termite home treatment, click here to check out Termite Identification, Treatment and Control.

A mature queen termite can lay several thousands of each every single day. Some species of termites, the queen can even grow several ovaries allowing them to reproduce even more eggs! Like any pregnant creature, queen termites also have enlarged abdomen. While they are immobilized in their condition, the hundred of worker termites around it work to move and feed her.

Once they are hatch, the eggs will eventually turn into nymphs and further on, into different members of the termite colony. Worker termites make up the largest part of the community.

Just like many other insects, the termite is reproduced through the laying and hatching of eggs. Unlike the typical male/female dynamic that we, as humans, know, the queen of the termite colony can become impregnated with eggs from multiple colony members just so that the society is kept going. In other words, termites arent monogamous. These worker termites are wingless, are blind and are the ones mostly found in infested wood. Although the soldier termites are blind and wingless as well, the group has the capability to defend the colony when under attack - by humans and termite deterrents.

Winged termites are the reproductives and supplementary reproductives of the colony. During swarming season, these group swarm to a new location, shed their old wings and pair up with a new termite colony. Supplementary reproductives stand the chance of being replacement when a termite king or queen dies.

Fortunately for termites and unfortunately for the homeowners, termites can reproduce into hundreds and even a thousand in a matter of days. Thus termite colonies and their respective damages are almost always difficult to battle with.

Looking for more information on termites and how they can be controlled? Click here to check out Termite Identification, Treatment and Control.

Termite deterrents are anything that keeps or prevents termites from foraging your home. Deterrents can be in the form of an object, a smell or chemicals that discourage these pests and insects from damaging your home.

Most termite deterrents come in the form of chemicals. Today, these chemicals are readily available for the specific purpose of termite prevention. These chemicals are simply sprayed on thewooden parts of the the structure or in wood or ground tunnels where termites are known to inhabit. Since termites can crawl even into the most miniscule hole and thrive most especially on dark areas, spraying these chemicals can become a bit tricky. Homeowners or termite pest controller companies should make sure to include these parts when applying termite deterrent chemicals.

In 2005, a study has been conducted showing the sap of sugar pine tree as one of the best termite deterrent to use. The research showed termites were appalled by the smell and by the sap of the sugar pine tree.

For more tips on termite control, click here to check out Termite Identification, Treatment and Control.

Photo by Editor B

One of the major concerns of owning a home or a building is termite destruction. As a homeowner, it is important to understand that once your home is infested with termites, the structure can become weak and thus dangerous.

To the uninformed homeowner, termite damages are barely visible. However, once you know what to look for, it will be quite easy for you to tell if your home is infested with termites or not. Periodical or regular inspection of your property can help you spot early signs of damages. Employing the services of a professional pest control company to do the job is even better.

As mentioned, there are several ways of determining termite infestation. Here are some of them:

1. Since termites love damp wood, start your inspecting wooden parts that are close to the ground.

2. Termites swarm at certain times of the year. Swarms of small flying insects can be a tell-tale sign that termites are thriving in your home.

All American Pest Control is located at 2109 Gibbons Court in Waldorf.  Their telephone number is (301) 638-3467
Rudd’s Termite Control is located at 41 Industrial Park also in Waldorf.  Their telephone number is (301) 863-8888
You can find Home Paramount Pest Control Company at 22A Industrial Park, Suite 3 in Waldorf or online at www.homeparamount.com.  Call them at (301) 645-9133
If you are more comfortable going with a national company, Orkin Pest Control has a branch in Waldorf and you can call them at (877) 886-4883

Just as with any other part of the country, finding termite control in Waldorf Maryland is important if you own a home or any other type of building.  Termites can devastate a wood structure because they feed on the wood that constructs the structure.  A licensed pest control company can check your home first and find out if you have an existing termite problem.  Then they can work with you to formulate a plan to get rid of those termites and keep them from coming back

Termite control in Waldorf Maryland is just as important as in any other part of the country.  You must take steps to make sure that your property is protected, if nothing else for your own piece of mind.  The last thing you want is to have to worry about whether or not these boring insects are making a meal of your home and destroying the wood a little at a time.  That’s why you need to contact a pest control company for complete termite control in Waldorf Maryland. 

You have many options.  Just make sure that you choose a company that is licensed and insured so you don’t waste your money on a fly-by-night operation.  Check out their references and find someone you trust.  All homeowners need to take the risk of termites seriously.  Getting termite control in Waldorf Maryland is easy, so get on top of it right away!