Del Rio's Termite Control Secrets Revealed

There are many misconceptions regarding termite control. These misconceptions make termite treatments difficult, impossible, or untrustworthy. Perhaps the most common misconception is that all modern termiticides are the same. You put the product in the soil and you're done. When termites pass through the material, they unwittingly pick up the active ingredient and share it with the colony—well, that part is true. But the piece of data Del Rio residents miss is that some products are washed away or diluted by rainwater that soaks into the soil. If your protection is weak or washed away, it won't guard your property against termite damage. Gold Star Exterminators uses a professional-grade product that binds to soil and is resistant to water. When you want to know your property is protected, we can help you get the results you want, but does that mean you're without options? No. Join us as we look at what you can do to make your home resistant to a termite infestation and catch termites early.     

The signs vary depending on what kind of termites you're looking for in your home or on your property.Drywood termites attack hardwood and need no contact with the ground after creating a nest in your home. Subterranean termites live in the ground and come up to feed on your property.

Warning Signs Of Drywood Termites: You'll look for these termite signs inside your home. Focus your search on hardwood, such as frames, baseboards, and crown molding.

• Frass. If you have drywood termites, you may find their droppings in a pile near the area of infestation. These droppings are referred to as frass. They look like grains of pepper and are the same color as the wood the termites are feeding on, so you may mistake the feces for sawdust.
• Pencil-tip-sized holes. Drywood termites push their frass out of tiny holes. You may find these tiny holes in a frame or baseboard but see no frass. Keep this in mind.
• Larger holes. You may find a spot of damage that is larger than the tip of a pencil. If you do, use a flashlight to check the hole and look for activity inside. If you have termites, you'll see little pale-colored insects and larger orange-headed insects with black pincers. You might also see winged termites. 
• Rustling sound. You might hear termites if they get excited. The soldiers click their heads on tunnel walls when an invading army of ants, or some other enemy, enters their tunnels. It is rare, but you might notice it.
• Wings. When winged termites emerge from their tunnels, they may appear indoors. But swarms don't last long. You can go out with some friends and return in the time it takes termites to mate and return to hiding. If this happens, you may have an opportunity to find shed wings.
• Swarmers. If you return home and find a termite swarm in your house, you don't have to wonder if you have an infestation. 

Drywood termites stay inside the wood they are feeding on, and they are typically difficult to detect until damage is done. Termite identificationand inspections will only partly protect you from property damage. 

Warning Signs Of Drywood Termites: Look for these termite signs around the exterior foundation of your home. Check under your deck and in a crawl space if you have one. You'll also want to keep watch when you are doing yard work. Some signs appear without an inspection.

• Mud tubes. Subterranean termites create structures made of soil and saliva. These structures are referred to as shelter tubes or mud tubes. At first, they'll look like thin, wiggly lines of mud.
• Evidence of termite damage. It is rare to find subterranean termite damage because termites avoid coming out into the dry air. Check damp areas and locations where humidity is high. If you find termite damage, you should see tunnels stacked on top of each other. The tunnel walls will feel gritty to the touch.
• Wings. As you look for mud tubes and damage, check spider webs for termite swarmer wings. Also, check the ground and other surfaces. Swarmer wings are uniform in size. 
• Swarmers. When you are outside in your yard, you may notice a swarmer. A swarmer is black or dark orange with white wings that stack on top of each other. The wings hang past the abdomen and are rounded at the tips.
• Workers. When you pick up debris in your yard, keep watch for worker termites. They are about ? of an inch in length and look a little bit like fat, white ants.

When you find evidence of termites, it is best to contact a certified termite control professional for an inspection. While finding termites on your property is not proof-positive that your property is in danger, it isn't a good sign. Let's quickly look at why this is the case.   

What It Means If You're Seeing Flying Termites On Your Property

How bad is it to see flying termites on your property? What you need to know most about termites is that they're not passing through. Termites expand their territory one nest at a time. Some nests are created below the surface of the ground, without the termites ever appearing above ground. Some nests are created by winged termites that you may see before they create nests on your property. In both cases, swarmers are a warning sign. If you have a hidden nest, and dozens of winged termites pour out of it, you may find them in your yard as an indication that there is a nest nearby. If you see swarmers that have come from a neighboring property, they are an indication that termites are applying pressure to your property. Don't wait to get professional termite protection to guard your property against termite damage.

What does it mean when you see a termite swarm indoors? It is bad. Definitely bad. Termite swarmers don't want to get into your home. There is little or no chance that swarmers in your home are from a neighboring property. They are a sign that you have a drywood termite infestation or a severe subterranean termite infestation. In both cases, it is time to contact Gold Star Exterminators to determine your next best course of action. 

Termite Prevention Secrets For Del Rio Homes

When we started this article, we told you the secret to professional termite control. Now, let's take a look at the secret to protecting your property from common termites in Del Rio. There are many ways you can deter termites with all-natural termite control methods.   

Drywood Termites: These termites get into your home through cracks and crevices around windows, doors, and pipes. You'll keep them out as you would any other exterior insect.  

• Use a caulking gun to seal any gaps or holes you find around your window panes.
• Repair damaged screens and fix gaps around screen frames.
• Repair damaged window panes.
• Inspect your exterior doors and replace old weatherstripping, align double doors, and install door sweeps if needed.
• Use a caulking gun or expanding foam around exterior doors to fill in gaps or voids.

Subterranean Termites: These termites live in the ground. Much of what you'll do to guard your property against termite damage you'll do near the ground.

• Pick sticks up in your yard and store them in a container.
• Nurse dying trees back to life.
• Never put cardboard, paper, or clothing in a pile on the ground.
• Address wood-to-soil contact on structures, such as wooden posts that enter the ground.
• Replace old wood fencing with vinyl or some other termite-resistant material.
• Address issues with your gutter system. Termite workers are attracted to moist soil.

These and other steps that reduce termite food options, block access, and manage other conducive conditions, will deter termites. If you combine these tips with routine inspections, you'll have some protection for your property, and you may catch termites early. When you find termite activity, treatment is required to arrest the termite activity. Let's look at what works to get rid of termites.  

The Best Way To Get Rid Of Termites On Your Property

When you're ready to contact Del Rio pest control, regarding termites, remember that we're here to help. We offer professional termite inspections to determine if you have drywood or subterranean termites and track down the area of infestation. We apply foam inside wall voids to deal with drywood termites. When the termites come in contact with the product, they stop feeding on wood immediately. They also spread the active ingredient to the other termites in their colony before dying off. For subterranean termites, we trench, drill, and treat around the perimeter, professionally installing a long-lasting and resistant barrier. Subterranean termites are not able to detect this barrier, so they collect the active ingredient and spread it, which leads to colony elimination.

Our termite control services are guaranteed to work for one year. After the first year, you can extend your warranty to last up to five years. There is no better way to ensure complete protection of your property. If you have questions or would like to request service, consider calling us. Our friendly, certified technicians are here to assist you. 

Gold Star has been spraying our house for a few years now and I can't express how much it has helped.  I was spraying Demon WD myself and barely made an impact on the scorpions and spiders.  after they started doing it, we have very few sightings now.  Great company.

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