Termites Ants

Termites are one of the most destructive pests in Australia. They feed on timber, and cause millions of dollars of damage every year by damaging roofs, fences, and even homes. Among all types of wood-boring insects that affect residences and buildings, termite species are unparalleled in their potential to cause the most damage. They can eat through plaster walls to get at wooden structures inside. Termite Control  is not mandatory for you home owners as it is an elective procedure but it’s still highly recommended by pest control experts to practice termite preventive measures as prevention is better than cure. Termites are eusocial insects that are classified at the taxonomic rank of infraorder Isoptera, or as epifamily Termitoidae within the cockroach order Blattodea. Termites were once classified in a separate order from cockroaches, but recent phylogenetic studies indicate that they evolved from close ancestors of cockroaches during the Jurassic or Triassic .  Termites mostly feed on plant material and cellulose, generally in the form of wood, leaf litter, soil, or animal dung. They break down biodegradable material and they can play an important role in natural ecosystem s. However, termites may cause substantial damage to structures made of wood or other plant materials; people often consider them pests.

Termites Ants

Introduction

Spring is here, and for many homeowners, it’s time to start thinking about their pest control plans. There are several pests that can cause damage to your home and property; however, none of them have the potential to cause as much devastating damage as termites do. It is important to be educated on the subject so you can make sure your home or business is protected from these destructive pests.

At A-Tex Pest Management we have been helping customers with all types of termite infestation problems and prevention strategies in Central Texas, San Antonio and Houston areas since 2002. Here are some facts, tips and tricks to help you recognize the signs of a termite problem in your home or office building and what steps should be taken if you want to prevent an infestation from occurring in the first place:

a. Termite Life Cycle

Termites are social insects that live in colonies. They do not resemble ants, and cannot sting or bite. The termite has a caste system, with three different stages of development:

• Worker termites
• Reproductives (winged male and female)
• Soldiers

b. Termite and Ant Swarmer Differences

Ants and termites look similar, but there are several differences between the two. Termites are larger than ants and have straight antennae. Ants have bent antennae. Termites are also darker in color than ants, with a flattened oval-shaped body as opposed to a round cylindrical one.

c. Soil Treatment

Soil treatment is the most common termite treatment and can be done at any time of the year. It is also the most effective way to prevent termites. Soil treatments are performed by injecting chemical agents directly into the soil around your home where they will kill existing termite colonies and prevent new colonies from forming.

d. Concrete Slab Injection Treatment

Concrete slab injection treatments are used to treat subterranean termite nests that are located beneath concrete slabs. When the treatment is complete, you should notice no visible evidence of treatment, but you can be assured that it has been effective. The holes made in your concrete during this procedure allow for a liquid chemical to be injected into the soil below your home’s foundation.

The liquid chemical travels through soil and wood before reaching the colony where it kills off termites by attacking their nervous systems as well as their bodies overall.

e. Crawl Space Treatment/Barrier Protection

The crawl space treatment/barrier protection method is an alternative to the traditional liquid or soil injection termite control methods and is useful in cases where there are many different types of wood in a structure. It involves placing a chemical barrier around the perimeter of the structure that prevents termites from entering through the foundation and reaching untreated wood.

Crawlspace treatments are generally not cost effective if you have a home that has been built with pressure treated wood because most people don’t want to deal with the hassle of replacing their decking, fence posts and outdoor furniture every few years when they begin to rot away due to exposure to harsh weather conditions such as rain or sun light exposure.

Crawlspace treatments may be used on homes that were not built with pressure treated lumber but instead use naturally occurring preservatives found in certain woods such as cedar or redwood which will eventually break down over time meaning regular maintenance will still be needed regardless of whether this method was used during construction or not.

At A-Tex Pest Management, we are able to provide all types of termite treatments including the most popular baiting and monitoring service plus localized chemical treatment and chemical barrier protection for your home, property, or place of business.

At A-Tex Pest Management, we are able to provide all types of termite treatments including the most popular baiting and monitoring service plus localized chemical treatment and chemical barrier protection for your home, property, or place of business.

Termites can cause significant damage to your property in as little as six months. The damage they can cause your home can be very expensive to fix if left untreated or treated improperly by an inexperienced pest control company. Termites can also be a major health risk due to their ability to carry diseases such as dysentery and typhus which they spread by transferring feces from one location (lawn) onto another (your house).

At A-Tex Pest Management we take pride in providing you with the best possible solution when it comes to treating termite infestations on your property whether it is residential or commercial space we will strive every day at keeping our clients happy with our services without sacrificing quality workmanship every time!

Conclusion

That’s the difference between ants and termites. To learn more about these pests or to schedule a service for your home or business, contact A-Tex Pest Management today!