Putting Off Termite Work

Every year millions upon millions of termites take to the air in living rooms across the land proclaiming to the stunned home owners, 'we're here!' The spectacle is frightening at first but once a can of Raid has doused the would be home invaders and the bugs are all vacuumed up a sigh of relief comes forth and then they are forgotten.

Only a mature termite colony will expend the energy and resources to make winged reproductives. They pick a warm sunny day usually after a rain in the spring to give them the best chance of survival but still only a small fraction ever make it far enough to mate. Spiders, birds and Raid are just some of the enemies for this fragile termite. The swarm usually only lasts for about an hour and if it does happen in your home you may think the danger is over once it has stopped. In reality the danger never stopped at all because those that actually do damage never show themselves and continue to work in the darkness of your walls after the spectacle.

Numbers can be staggering in colonies but the minimum amount to produce flying termites is about 60,000. It takes at least 2 years for this but often times longer. The queen lives to lay eggs and there are other queens in waiting that also help in this task. Rapid growth of a colony happens when multiple females are laying eggs and conditions are right. Well established termites will produce swarmers every year which is a sign of a strong nest.

The only termite in the colony that actually does any damage to a structure is the worker termite. Completely blind they feed and move in total darkness. They build tunnels in which to move and pack mud that holds moisture in the areas they are eating in. The workers then travel back down to the colony hub where they feed the rest the wood they have digested. Despite not having any sight they are very adept at finding ways into a home or building. Even a tiny crack about as thick as a business card is more than enough for the pliable termite.

Since they are blind they do not travel across the ground where they can be seen. Instead exterminators look for small mud tunnels or exit holes filled with mud to detect an infestation. There is however no guarantee that 'not' seeing these signs means you are free and clear of this wood destroying insect. Established colonies consume about two feet of a 2x4 every six months but you may never know it until it is too late. The wise consumer will at the very least have a termite inspection once per year. A truly prudent homeowner will have the home treated preventively to avoid the costly damage, visible signs or not.

Worried about termites wondering why there are wings on your windowsill? You may have Termites. Learn more - Do I Have Termites?

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January 30 2012 | Home Improvement | No Comments »

Getting To Know The Different Types Of Roaches In Your Home

Usually, cockroaches do not cause any harm. As a matter of fact, the cockroach is found in almost all places on earth, except in surroundings that are inhospitable to them. Currently, there are more than 4000 varieties of cockroaches already identified, and 3 of these varieties are the ones that make human life miserable because these three species like to live where there are humans.

Distinguishing these roaches is pretty easy and can aid in extermination techniques. It could be the first step in irradication and control. The following are the three main common cockroaches.

American Cockroach

The American cockroach has a reddish brown color & single stripe on the head. It can grow up to 25mm in length. These roaches love the taste of liquor & can often be found in drinking establishments or at home in case you had a party and didn't clean up quickly. They have a life span of up to one and half years. Their incubation period is from 6 to 8 weeks.

German Cockroach

These kinds of cockroach sport a brownish or tan color, and 2 lighter stripes on the back of its head. It can grow up to 15mm in length. It is probably breeds the fastest in comparison to the cockroaches, giving birth to around 30 to 40 nymphs with an incubation period of 30 days. That is relatively fast, seeing one of them can multiply to 30,000 in just a year. They can live for around 6 months.

Oriental Cockroach

They are probably the biggest of these three. It grows approximately 25mm in length. These critters move more slowly than the other species and are a dark brown to black with a shiny body. They are sometimes called the "water bug" since these creatures prefer dark, moist locations. They are most probably found in damp mulch or cellars. Incubation can last two months with about 15 eggs hatching and; they can each live for up to two years.

Why must you take the trouble of applying pest control measures for your household? Even if it might not have crossed your mind right now, one day in the future you may be selling your house. No matter how appealing your house is from the outside, real estate agents and buyers would avoid it if they notice signs of pest infestations. For example, termite colonies found in the foundation of your residence are big hindrances for potential buyers. Moreover, lending institutions usually deny loan applications with houses used as collaterals if they discover that the property is infested with pests; like prospective buyers, banks perceive pest-infested homes as bad investments. Thus, even if the cost to hire a professional pest control company to eliminate pest infestations in your house may be steep, think of it a wonderful investment for the future asking price of your house.

Learn more about the most effective methods of eradicating mosquitos and other pests from your homes or offices. Unique version for reprint here: Getting To Know The Different Types Of Roaches In Your Home.

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October 16 2010 | Home Improvement | No Comments »

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