Q. I want to store firewood close to my house. Could that attract termites?
A. Yes. Keep your home safe by storing firewood off the ground and at least 20 feet away from the building.
Q. I had a termite infestation in the house (but it was treated), and now I am moving. Will I carry termites to the new house through the moving boxes?
A. Moving boxes are a minimal threat, but you can transfer drywood termites to your new home through infested wood furniture. It is important that your pest control company inspect your furniture for termites, as well as your home.
Subterranean termites typically nest in the soil and move from there to infest wood above ground. Termites in your moving boxes would typically be separated from the main colony, so they would not survive the move. However, if the termites can locate a source of moisture, they can easily survive.
Q. I hear a ‘rustling’ sound in the walls of one room. Could that be termites?
A. Probably not. You may think you hear the sound of winged termites, also known as swarmers. During spring (and sometimes in late summer and fall), winged termites emerge from underground, or subterranean, termite colonies.
It is unlikely that these termites would swarm, or fly, inside a wall void. However, the rustling sound you hear could be caused by carpenter ants or another pest. Be sure to contact a pest control company to conduct a thorough inspection of your home to determine if this noise is related to pest activity.
Q. I spread mulch around the foundation of my house. Will that attract termites?
A. Termites are happy to dine on the mulch around your home. You see, termites have four basic needs to survive: food, moisture, shelter and a favorable temperature. A layer of mulch meets all those needs. Most mulch is organic, which means it contains the cellulose that serves as food for termites. The mulch also conserves the water contained in the ground below it, which creates the moisture termites need. When termites hide beneath the mulch, they have shelter from light and air. And just as we use mulch to serve as a blanket for our plants, mulch helps termites remain at a comfortable temperature.
Experts agree it is safest to keep all mulch at least 6 inches away from the foundation wall of a structure, like your home. Also, mulch should never be more than 4 inches thick. The thicker the mulch, the more hospitable it becomes for termites, as well as sowbugs, millipedes, centipedes, ants and rodents.
Q. My neighbor is getting her house treated for termites. Will that send the termites to my house?
A. Your risk depends on whether the termiticide used for a neighbor’s house is repellent or non-repellent. Repellent insecticide in the soil around a foundation will discourage termites from feasting on that house, and may send foraging termites looking for another source of food - potentially your home. Other products are non-repellent, which means they affect the colony in the treated house or immediate area - therefore the termites are less likely to head to your home.
Be sure to tell your pest control company that your neighbor’s former pests may be planning to make a move. Your termite specialist should be able to treat your house so the uninvited guests don’t stick around.
Q. Is a termite control treatment safe for people and pets in the house — or do we have to leave for several hours?
A. Applying liquid termiticide to the soil around and under the foundation will not expose people or pets inside the house to treatment. Modern termiticides are essentially odorless and are used at a concentration that is effective against termites, but is not a threat to humans or animals. However, fumigation – a technique in which a home is tented before a gas is injected to destroy termites – does require people and pets to evacuate. Plants and food items should also be removed from the home during treatment.
Q. How many times a year should I have my house treated for termites?
A. A common misconception is that termite control involves a yearly application. Termite inspections, not treatment, can be performed annually to confirm the effectiveness of the termite protection, and identify potential changes in and around your home that could be conducive to termite infestations.
Termiticide applied to the soil around the outside of the foundation should remain effective against termites for many years. The length of time between treatments depends on soil conditions and other factors, but there is usually no need for yearly application. An inspection of your home for potential warning signs of termite activity is the safest option to provide consistent protection of your home.
Q. I have a termite swarm in my house for the first time. Does that mean I already have termite damage?
A. In general, the presence of swarming, or flying, termites indicates that the colony has lived in your house for several years. Colonies produce swarmers when they reach a certain size, and it usually takes a new colony several years to reach that size. If you have a swarm, it is safe to assume that some level of damage has already been done to the house. You should contact your pest control provider immediately to prevent further damage.
