TERMITE PEST CONTROL COLUMBUS OHIO

PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM TERMITES TODAY!

Termites cost homeowners in the United States on average $5 BILLION in damages annually. A typical active termite colony can contain upwards of 1 million termites that can devour over 100 pounds of wood per year. The cost of termite treatment and damage can cost the average homeowner more than $8,000 a year.

Our Team of licensed termite control professionals will perform a thorough inspection of your home for termite activity and will identify potential risks that could attract or harbor termites.

As a homeowner it can be hard to know what the signs are of having termites, how to prevent getting termites, what termites look like, and if you should even consider purchasing a home if it has previous termite damage. We are here to help you answer those questions. Click the links below to help get your questions answered now. Call today if you would like to set up your termite control inspection

Termites

SIGNS OF TERMITES

Termite Mud Tube Hanging

Mud Tubes

Termite mud tubes are made from a combination of wood, soil, and termite saliva. Termites build mud tubes or “shelter tubes” to protect themselves from predators. These mud tubes can be roughly the size of a pencil. The termites use the mud tubes to connect their below ground colony to their above-ground food sources while foraging and can be found in any location where your home meets the ground. Termites also use mud tubes to help regulate the moisture they need around their bodies to survive, and to bring moisture to areas where they are feeding and nesting.

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Damaged or Hollowed Wood

Termites will cause damage to the wood they feed on. This damage can be found in multiple locations throughout the home. Termite damage can be found behind walls, in floors and baseboards, door and window trim, and especially in basements or crawl spaces along the sill plate, floor joists, and concrete block. Termites will hollow out the wood and create “galleries”.

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Bubbles in Wood Floor

Bubbling in wood flooring can signal where termites are feeding. They will often feed below or within these bubbles. These areas will often appear to be water damaged but are from the termites feeding on the subfloor.

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Evidence of Swarms

During termite swarm season, which can occur between March through June in Ohio. Termites will swarm out of their nest to mate and find a suitable place to start a new colony. The termite swarmer’s will be attracted to windows and doors. The termites will shed their wings because they will not need them again. Termite wings are both the same size where ant wings have a larger set of wings on the front and then a smaller set at the back.

HOW TO PREVENT TERMITES

Keep Your Home Dry 

Termites like moist areas found around your home. It is important that you take the time to make sure that your gutters are cleaned and are draining away from the home properly. Diverting rainwater away from the home is helpful in making sure that there is minimal water draining into the foundation of your home. Down spout extenders and splash guards will also aid in stopping pools of water from forming which in turn will attract Termites.

Remove Tree Branches

Trees and shrubs that are coming in contact with the home and roof are especially problematic. It is wise to have them trimmed back away from the home so that they are not creating a bridge to and from the home that termites can crawl across. Additionally, trees and shrubs block necessary sunlight from being able to dry out the areas around the foundation of the home and will be more prone to add unnecessary moisture.

Remove Excess Wood

Many homeowners will leave dead tree stumps rotting in the yard when a tree has come down. This is a way to draw more termites to the home unnecessarily. Any dead and rotting wood will be used as fuel for the termites to survive on. It is also common for those who heat their homes with a wood-stove or fireplace in the colder months to have piles of wood stored up near the home. Move these piles away from the home so as not to draw termites in. Wood piles should be at least 20 feet away from the home and if possible, raised up 5 inches or more off of the ground.

Keep Mulch Away

Homeowners like to use mulch to serve as ground cover around the home to improve the look of their garden beds. Unfortunately, this can be used as a food source for Termites. Be wary of how much wood mulch you choose to use around the home and keep it at least 15 inches from the foundation. If you choose to use wood mulch, be sure to monitor the areas it is used in for termite activity.

TERMITE VS. ANT

 

People often confuse termites for ants or vice versa. There are a several ways to easily distinguish between the two. Termites are bi-segmented, having only a head and an abdomen. Ants are tri-segmented, having a head, thorax, and abdomen. While ants have a pinched waist, termites do not. Termites also have straight antenna and ants have elbowed antenna. Finally, termite wings are both the same size and ants have a smaller pair of wings in the back and a larger pair in the front.

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SHOULD I BUY A HOME WITH PREVIOUS TERMITE DAMAGE?

Find out if the Infestation is Under Control 

When termite damage is first noticed you would want to find out if the previous owners had handled it with treatment by a licensed pest control
operator, or if this is new activity. If the termite activity had been treated within the last 5 years, then that likely means the home is ok. However, it is especially important to have your own inspection done for peace of mind so that you know where the home stands. We offer termite inspections. Give us a call today.

Damage

Some termite damage may be visible to see, but most of the termite damage that takes place happens below the surface. In most cases it can take up to 10 years to cause enough damage to a home to where it is considered. irreparable. Call today to have a licensed termite control technician inspect the home to let you know if the damage is more cosmetic or structural, before making any final decisions.

Schedule Your Inspection

Call today to have a licensed pest control technician inspect the home today. Ease your mind, and let us guide you through this process, so that you can make the best decision for your family and the purchase of your home.

Buying, Selling, Refinancing Inspection Reports (WDIR/ NPMA -33)

We are licensed to perform Wood Destroying Insect Reports (WDIR) and NPMA-33 inspections for the buying, selling and refinancing of homes in the state of Ohio. If you are in need of one of these inspection reports for your loan process to be complete, Call Today!

TRUST ELITE TO PROTECT YOUR HOME

Elite Pest and Termite uses a state-of-the-art termite bait system for our termite treatments, to protect your home from termites. This termite bait system, installed around the exterior of your home, prevents termites from maturing through molting. Unable to molt, the termites die and without the colony tending to her, the queen dies as well.

Our bait stations feature a superior design that leads to termites finding the stations faster, eliminating the colony, and thereby protecting your home. This program provides continual year- round protection without causing damage to your property. Elite Pest and Termite Control will inspect and monitor your bait system annually making sure your home remains shielded against termite activity. Call today to schedule your inspection.

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