Termites
Termites are social insects like ants or bees.
Their colonies consist of workers, soldiers, reproductives and a queen and king in some species.
Termites species are broken down into 3 broad categories. Dry wood termites, damp wood termites and subterranean termites.
In the deserts of Arizona the most common termites we have are subterranean termites.
The colonies are located deep under ground. Workers build "mud tubes" above ground to travel to food sources.
These mud tubes are made of soil, saliva and feces of the termites. These tubes not only hide them from predators, but keep them cool and moist as they are very sensitive to heat.
Termites are especially attracted to moisture. Areas with damp soil around the house or water damage to wood or drywall are even more vulnerable to attack from termites. It is also highly recommended to have your landscape slope away from the foundation so that moisture drains away from the house.
There are 3 main species of subterranean termites in Arizona capable of causing structural damage.
The first is the Desert Subterranean Termite (Heterotermes Aureus).
It is the most common and most destructive in Arizona.
They feed off of different types of wood like dead trees, cactus, utility poles and structural wood.
Workers are about 3/8 of an inch long and are a pale cream color.
Reproductives are about 1/2 inch long and are dark brown with wings.
They reproduce by swarming usually during the humid monsoon months or after it rains.
The first sign of an infestation is usually by finding mud tubes trailing up the foundation, dropping from the ceiling or along walls inside the structure.
The second is the Arid Land Subterranean Termite (Reticulitermes Tibialis).
Their appearance is extremely similar to that of a desert subterranean termite.
They occur naturally in desert areas feeding off of small trees and bushes. Once human habitat is established in these areas their food source is destroyed so they are left with no choice but to feed on our structures to survive.
Lastly there is the Tube Building Termite (Gnathamitermes Perplexus). They don't often feed on our structures rather things like dead grass or weeds, desert plants and sometimes wooden fences and posts. The shelter tubes they create look less like tubes and more like a thin layer of plaster. Control is seldom required for these type of termites unless they are feeding on fences, posts, or a structure.
Inspections
We offer inspections for wood destroying organisms and insects. (W.D.I.I.R.'s)
These reports are usually required by financial institutions when a contract is being made for the sale or refinancing of a home. We not only inspect the home for termite infestations but water damage, leaks and other things that can lead to future infestations and damage to the home. These problems are not always noticeable to the untrained eye but with our training and experience spotting them is second nature to us.
Call Kyle's Pest Solution @ 623-760-6025 to perform your new home's termite inspection and protect your investment!
Treatment
Termite infestations that are left untreated can result in costly repairs to your home. If you think you might have termites it is best to call a professional right away.
We first dig a trench around the whole perimeter of the structure and apply the termiticide. After which we refill the trench with soil and recover the landscaping over the area. This provides a barrier that termites cross to get from underground to your building. And because it is covered by soil it will last for years!
Where you have concrete abutting the structure we typically drill holes through the slab to inject underneath where the termites are accessing the structure. In some cases drilling is not possible or as effective. Such cases are if the house is on a post tension slab, there are tiles or pool decking abutting the structure or there are large gaps in the expansion joints.
In these cases we may inject the product down through the expansion joints or other cracks with a liquid or a foam termiticide.
We will then seal those cracks or joints to protect the termiticide from water run off.
For interior applications small holes will be drilled into the wall where termite activity is present so that a foam can be injected into the wall void. This is not a large noticeable hole and afterwards we apply drywall patch to the area.
Every building is different when it comes to termite treatments so you should hire someone that thinks outside the box to come up with the most effective plan for treatment and prevention.
Kyle's Pest Solution uses only the best products available for termite treatments.
This is backed by our 5 year warranty when we perform a whole home treatment. If re infestation occurs or activity is noticed we will return and retreat it at no additional cost!
If they come back, so do we!
To schedule an appointment for an inspection or estimate call 623-760-6025 today!!
Their colonies consist of workers, soldiers, reproductives and a queen and king in some species.
Termites species are broken down into 3 broad categories. Dry wood termites, damp wood termites and subterranean termites.
In the deserts of Arizona the most common termites we have are subterranean termites.
The colonies are located deep under ground. Workers build "mud tubes" above ground to travel to food sources.
These mud tubes are made of soil, saliva and feces of the termites. These tubes not only hide them from predators, but keep them cool and moist as they are very sensitive to heat.
Termites are especially attracted to moisture. Areas with damp soil around the house or water damage to wood or drywall are even more vulnerable to attack from termites. It is also highly recommended to have your landscape slope away from the foundation so that moisture drains away from the house.
There are 3 main species of subterranean termites in Arizona capable of causing structural damage.
The first is the Desert Subterranean Termite (Heterotermes Aureus).
It is the most common and most destructive in Arizona.
They feed off of different types of wood like dead trees, cactus, utility poles and structural wood.
Workers are about 3/8 of an inch long and are a pale cream color.
Reproductives are about 1/2 inch long and are dark brown with wings.
They reproduce by swarming usually during the humid monsoon months or after it rains.
The first sign of an infestation is usually by finding mud tubes trailing up the foundation, dropping from the ceiling or along walls inside the structure.
The second is the Arid Land Subterranean Termite (Reticulitermes Tibialis).
Their appearance is extremely similar to that of a desert subterranean termite.
They occur naturally in desert areas feeding off of small trees and bushes. Once human habitat is established in these areas their food source is destroyed so they are left with no choice but to feed on our structures to survive.
Lastly there is the Tube Building Termite (Gnathamitermes Perplexus). They don't often feed on our structures rather things like dead grass or weeds, desert plants and sometimes wooden fences and posts. The shelter tubes they create look less like tubes and more like a thin layer of plaster. Control is seldom required for these type of termites unless they are feeding on fences, posts, or a structure.
Inspections
We offer inspections for wood destroying organisms and insects. (W.D.I.I.R.'s)
These reports are usually required by financial institutions when a contract is being made for the sale or refinancing of a home. We not only inspect the home for termite infestations but water damage, leaks and other things that can lead to future infestations and damage to the home. These problems are not always noticeable to the untrained eye but with our training and experience spotting them is second nature to us.
Call Kyle's Pest Solution @ 623-760-6025 to perform your new home's termite inspection and protect your investment!
Treatment
Termite infestations that are left untreated can result in costly repairs to your home. If you think you might have termites it is best to call a professional right away.
We first dig a trench around the whole perimeter of the structure and apply the termiticide. After which we refill the trench with soil and recover the landscaping over the area. This provides a barrier that termites cross to get from underground to your building. And because it is covered by soil it will last for years!
Where you have concrete abutting the structure we typically drill holes through the slab to inject underneath where the termites are accessing the structure. In some cases drilling is not possible or as effective. Such cases are if the house is on a post tension slab, there are tiles or pool decking abutting the structure or there are large gaps in the expansion joints.
In these cases we may inject the product down through the expansion joints or other cracks with a liquid or a foam termiticide.
We will then seal those cracks or joints to protect the termiticide from water run off.
For interior applications small holes will be drilled into the wall where termite activity is present so that a foam can be injected into the wall void. This is not a large noticeable hole and afterwards we apply drywall patch to the area.
Every building is different when it comes to termite treatments so you should hire someone that thinks outside the box to come up with the most effective plan for treatment and prevention.
Kyle's Pest Solution uses only the best products available for termite treatments.
This is backed by our 5 year warranty when we perform a whole home treatment. If re infestation occurs or activity is noticed we will return and retreat it at no additional cost!
If they come back, so do we!
To schedule an appointment for an inspection or estimate call 623-760-6025 today!!