Termite problems were much easier to deal with in the past than they are today. Termite control experts knew that the termite species they dealt with was indigenous to New Jersey, and they would have easily predictable behaviors. In recent decades, termites colonies have been able to "migrate" to new areas by hitchhiking on wood and materials brought through interstate/international commerce, on trucks, and through shipping.
This means that the wood destroying insect problem is only getting worse. In fact, $30 billion dollars in damages each year is caused by termite-related problems! To stop this problem before your termite damage gets worse, call Quest Crawl Space Systems today. We offer Free Estimates for pest control and extermination in all parts of the state, including Newark, Paterson, Jersey City, Elizabeth, Edison, Toms River, Clifton, Passaic, Union City, East Orange
Termites are nasty, sneaky little creatures. They are experts at finding ways to the wood in your home, and they never sleep.
Popular Mechanics reports that a termite can make its way through just about any form of construction, including concrete foundation slabs.
They're willing and able to feed on a variety of materials in the home, including wood, paper, books, drywall, leather, cellulose insulation, cardboard, and even animal furs!
The main entryways for termites, according to Professional Builder Magazine, are construction joints, pipe penetrations and bath traps, but they've also been known to enter the home by crawling up the siding from outside the home.
Because of this, it's important to always keep the slab viewable from the outside by leaving 6-8 inches exposed at the bottom for inspections and to help discourage infestation.
The problem is that termites don't stop at dead trees. To a termite, any piece of untreated wood, including your house, is just another meal. Consider these facts:
At one time, the most common way to detect termites within a home was to look for swarming winged termites. However, with a changing global climate, termites now commonly reproduce by budding instead of swarming. This means that new colonies are being formed by breaking away a number of termites from the original colony to start their own. As entomologist Mike Deutsch was quoted in PR Newswire, "As horrifying and scary as termite swarms are, they were a great indicator that a home was infested. Now homeowners won't know if they have termites until the piano falls into the basement".
Termites are a more serious threat to a home than ever, now that they have begun to enter without swarming. However, a professional still has several telltale signs that will help indicate a termite infestation, such as areas of wood that have been hollowed out, or mud tubes extending across foundation walls, support piers, floor joists and sill plates.
If you find swarming termites in your home, be sure to save a few to show to the pest inspector, then vacuum the rest. Swarming termites cannot damage or eat wood, but they can start new colonies.
At Quest Crawl Space Systems, we take an enlightened approach to termite control. We evaluate each home and each infestation individually, and select the approach (or combination of approaches) that are best suited to the individual situation. Quest Crawl Space Systems often uses the analogy of having a "toolbox" of different techniques, technologies, and approaches for controlling termites and other pests.
The methods that we may employ to prevent or exterminate termite infestations in and around your home include:
Identification of conditions conducive to termites, such as improper grading, leaky downspouts, soil-to-wood contact, and cellulose-based mulches.
Termite baiting with Advance
Non-repellent soil treatment with the Termidor or Phantom control systems
Wood treatment using Bora-Care
At Quest Crawl Space Systems, we take termite control seriously. All termite technicians have attended the Master Termite Technician School at Sand Hill Research and Education Center, Clemson University in Columbia, SC. We'll treat your home as if it were our own.
If you have a problem with termites, please contact us for further information or an on-site estimate. Or if you like, come take a virtual ride with us on a real termite job and meet the crew!
Looking for a price? Get a no cost, no obligation free estimate.