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15 Little Known Termite Facts

Admin • Mar 31, 2015
Termite Illustration — Louisiana — DA Exterminating
  1. Subterranean termites, common in many states, live underground in what can be huge colonies.
  2. One colony can occupy multiple nesting and feeding sites connected by tunnels underground.
  3. Hundreds of thousands to millions of individual termites can occupy areas of up to half an acre.
  4. The colonies damaging one house may actually live in an adjoining yard and not actually under the infested house.
  5. Subterranean termites drill out narrow, uneven tunnels through soil until they encounter their primary food –wood—such as decaying tree roots, logs, stumps, woodpiles, and plant debris OR YOUR HOUSE!
  6. Once they discover a tasty feeding site, worker termites lay down an invisible odor trail to attract others to the food source.
  7. Termites can be very beneficial since they help decompose organic matter and return nutrients to the soil.
  8. Termites have a caste system where each type of individual has their own job!
  9. You can have a subterranean termite infestation for years and not know it. Termites damage approximately 600,000 homes in the U.S. each year.
  10. A termite queen can live 15 to 25 years and lay an egg every 15 seconds.
  11. U.S. residents spend an estimated $5 billion annually to control termites and repair termite damage.
  12. Swarming termites are often confused with flying ants. See illustration above for the difference.
  13. If you own a porch, deck, or stairway that conceals a portion of your basement wall, subterranean termites can infest your home without any external sign.
  14. Termite inspectors will look for warning signs of termites, including mud tubes, termite droppings, exit or kick-out holes, bubbling or peeling paint, and wood damage.
  15. The cryptic nature and tenacious foraging habits of these insects pose a challenge to most pest control companies, but NOT DA Exterminating!
Call us today to schedule a termite inspection. 800-650-PEST
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When the holidays come to an end, it will be time to store the trees and decorations until Christmas 2019. Safeguard all of your favorite holiday decorations so they are free of pests while sitting in the attic, basement or other storage space until the holiday season comes around next year. Christmas decorations provide harborage and, in some cases, food for various kinds of pests, especially rodents. So we have assembled some decoration storage tips to prevent surprises next year when you open your decoration containers. to seal them in plastic containers if you must save these from 1) Dried berries, seeds and other natural materials are especially attractive to mice. The best idea is to seal them in plastic containers. Discard natural decorations after using each year including real gingerbread houses, candy canes and natural wreaths. 2) Cardboard can be a favorite nesting material for rodents, so don’t store artificial Christmas trees in cardboard; instead, use plastic sealable bags or containers. That goes for all other Christmas decorations. 3) Examine all decorations for any that are broken or that you won't use next year and discard them. 4) Wash linens and other fabrics and store in sealed plastic bags to prevent moisture. 5) Before loading containers into a garage, basement, attic or other storage area, examine them and clean thoroughly to remove any debris that may be harborage areas for mice. 6) Store holiday candles separately. The scent from a candle can attract unwanted guests. Placing the candles in an area that is not exposed to extreme heat (e.g., attics or sheds) will resolve this problem. Wrap candles in plastic to prevent them from melting together or transferring color in warm conditions. If you follow these tips to properly pack and store your decorations, not only will you be more organized for Christmas 2019, but you will reduce the possibility of pests trying to share next year's holiday with you! To get more information on pest control services in New Orleans, contact the experts at DA Exterminating today by calling 800-650-PEST . Wishing you and your family a pest-free New Year!
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t’s that time of year when certain pests seek a warm place to overwinter and this usually means YOUR HOME! We’ve assembled some tips to prevent these critters from moving in with you. Vacuuming is the best way to eliminate the insects once they are inside. Before the winter months approach, seal gaps around windows and doors, including garage doors. The best time for this is during the summer after pests have left their overwintering site, and before they come back for the next season. Look for areas where pipes and electrical or cable lines enter the building. Gaps around these areas should be sealed. Look for openings around soffits, eaves, attic fans, windows and vents in the attic used for ventilation. Many times these areas are not screened, allowing overwintering pests inside. Be sure screens on windows are in good repair and have no openings. Inspect chimneys. Be sure the damper is closed when not in use, and know that if you’re dealing with a wood-burning fireplace, lighting a fire may discourage the insects from using the chimney as an entry point. Tell customers that using “bug bombs” to treat the inside of a house can backfire — they may end up with dead insects still inside the walls, which then attract secondary pests, such as carpet beetles. Concerned about Fall Invaders? Call us today. 800-650-PEST .
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