When they say they found termites how do we know they really did? Can this be like taking your car in where they find things wrong that weren't wrong until you took it in?
Regards. Max. K 4 O D S. Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Transistor site http://www.funwithtransistors.net Vacuum tube site: http://www.funwithtubes.net Music site: http://www.maxsmusicplace.com To subscribe to the fun with tubes group send an email to, [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ray Boyce" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Sunday, October 28, 2007 3:10 AM Subject: [BlindHandyMan] Frequently Asked Termite Questions > Q: > Don't termites most often attack older buildings? > A: Termites have been found in buildings as early as four days after > construction. Every building containing wood is a potential target of > termites. Chemical > or mechanical barriers can be established in the construction stage, > however, to prevent or discourage termite infestations in new homes. > > Q: > Are there different kinds of termites? > A: Entomologists have identified over 2000 species, 55 of which exist in > the > United States. But there are only two kinds, basically, that homeowners > have > to worry about: subterranean termites and drywood termites. > > Q: > What's the difference? > A: Both types are quite similar. All termites live on cellulose, which > they > get from wood. And all termites are social insects, much like ants. But > subterranean > termites usually live outside the house in underground nests. They need > the > moisture in the earth to survive. Since they also need cellulose, they > often > tunnel into nearby homes to get it. Occasionally some uncommon event, such > as an AC leaking into an interior structure can allow subterranean > termites > to nest inside structures rather than outside in the soil. Drywood > termites, > on the other hand, need no contact with the earth. They live right inside > the homes that they devour. > > image courtesy of Dow AgroSciences > > Q: > Where are termites found in the U.S.? > A: Subterranean termites inhabit 48 states and Hawaii, but are most common > in the southern two-thirds of the U.S. Drywood termites are not as > widespread > as subterranean termites. There are more termites in Florida than in most > other states. > > map of the U.S. showing the distribution of subterranean termites. > > Q: > Are termites seasonal or do I need to look out all year long? > A: Termites are active all year in warmer climates. They generally swarm > to > start a new colony in the spring or summer but this isn't a hard and fast > rule. > As long as they have warmth, moisture and food the colony will continue to > expand (.as in EAT your home) > > Q: > What should I do to help prevent termites? > A: There are many practices to termite prevention that include barrier, > moisture control and anti-harboring measures for new buildings. In an > existing structure > it is typically recommended that you use a chemical barrier to prevent > infestation after the structure is treated from any existing termite > population > - a termite professional, will make recommendations specific to your > property. > > Q: > If my neighbor gets termites, does that mean I have them too? > A: If your neighbor's home is infested with termites, that doesn't mean > that > you have them too, but the chances of infestation are certainly higher. > > Q: > What if I find termites in wood outside near the house (landscape, > firewood, > etc.) does that mean I have termites in my house? > A: Your home may not necessarily be infested, but termites in the area > means > that your home is at high risk because each time the colony swarms, or > grows, > your home may be a prime target for the swarmers to start a new colony in > or > around your home. > > Q: > How do I know whether I have termites or ants? > A: Termite swarmers and ant swarmers look similar from a distance but > there > are some key things to look for to help you decide. Termites are poor > flyers > and their wings break off shortly after mating. Termites have straight > antennae and an ant's are bent. Also termites have broad thick waists > where > an ant > has a narrow waist. > drawing showing the differences between flying ands and flying > termites. > Image © Texas Cooperative Extension > > Q: > What do termites look like? > A: Subterranean termite colonies consist of three different > castes--reproductives, workers and soldiers. All of the subterranean > termites are generally > creamy white in appearance and are translucent, looking very much in size, > and shape as a grain of rice. The reproductives, or "swarmers," have a > pair > of even-sized wings and are often mistaken for flying ants. The workers > look > similar to the "swarmers," only they are a little smaller, don't have > wings > and are lighter in color. The soldiers are also similar except for their > tan-colored oversized heads and large, crushing mandibles. > > drawing showing the various types of termites in a typical nest > image © Oregon State University Extension Service > > Q: > How can I tell if I have a termite problem? And, if so, what kind? > A: Subterranean termites are often detected during swarming, usually in > the > spring, when some fly from their nests to start new colonies. Other signs > are > tubes made mostly of mud on the surface of walls, joists, piers, chimneys, > plumbing and other fixtures. Weak or broken wood, blistered wood and soil > in > cracks can also be evidence of subterranean termites. Drywood termites > sometimes give themselves away by creating surface blisters on wood and > leaving > wings or piles of waste that look like sawdust on windowsills and floors. > > Q: > If none of these signs is present, does that mean my home is free of > termites? > > A: Not necessarily. Termites work from the inside out and are very often > hard to detect. Drywood termites have no link to the outside and spend > their > entire > lives indoors - in walls, in roofs, etc. The only way you can be sure > you're > not sharing your home with termites is to have it inspected by a > professional > inspector. > > Q: I > f termite company inspections are done correctly will they find all the > termites that are there? > A: It isn't possible for an inspection to provide absolute certainty > unless > termites are found. There will usually be areas of a structure that cannot > be > evaluated due to inaccessibility for one reason or another. If you live in > a > high risk area (like FLORIDA!), preventative treatment may be an important > option even if no termites are found. > > Q: > How often should I get my home inspected for termites by a professional? > A: Due to the high termite pressure for the whole state of Florida, an > annual inspection is best. Maintaining a professional relationship with a > termite > specialist like Russ is wise. > > Q: > What will an inspection cost? > A: The cost of an inspection varies depending on the size and complexity > of > the structure. However, the fee is usually small. Keep in mind that even > if > termites aren't present, your money wasn't wasted. You've purchased peace > of > mind. > > Q: > What does such an inspection involve? > > A: Because professional inspectors are typically highly trained with years > of experience, they know exactly what to look for and exactly where to > look. > Therefore, the inspection is usually brief but thorough. They'll identify > evidence of any previous treatments or infestations, any wood-destroying > organisms > present, the damage caused, and any conditions that may make your property > especially vulnerable to attack. > > > > To listen to the show archives go to link > http://acbradio.org/handyman.html > or > ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ > > The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. > http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday > > Visit The Blind Handy Man Files Page To Review Contributions From Various > List Members At The Following address: > http://www.jaws-users.com/handyman/ > > Visit the archives page at the following address > http://www.mail-archive.com/blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com/ > > If you would like to join the Blind Computing list, then visit the > following address for more information: > http://jaws-users.com/mailman/listinfo/blind-computing_jaws-users.com > > For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man > list just send a blank message to: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.12/1096 - Release Date: > 10/27/2007 11:02 AM >
