Termite Control Treatment

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Termite Control Treatment?
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There are 2 types of termite inspections we
perform
1. Professional InspectionsThis would cover
inspections that are informal but are conducted
by a licensed termite professional. If you find a
mud tube that you suspect may be termites, a
professional can come out and inspect it for you.
The difference between this type of inspection
and the one below is that no formal report is
generated. This type of inspection may be free or
less than a formal (WDI) inspection.
2. Wood Destroying Insect Reports (WDI)
This inspection is formal and requires a report
signed by a licensed termite professional. This
report is typically required by a lending
institution when a house is being purchased or
refinanced. Wood Destroying Insect reports cover
any wood destroying insect such as carpenter
ants, powder post beatles, carpenter bees and old
house borers. The cost of this report can vary
based on the foundation type. If a WDI report is
required when purchasing a home, the buyer
typically pays the cost. Any wood destroying
insects or conducive conditions listed in the
report will require correction by most lenders or
purchasers.
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What we look for
Termite Swarmers (alive or dead)Termite
swarmers inside the home are a good indication of
infestation. Swarmers typically fly in the
spring. See the Termite page for pictures and
information. Termite workers (alive or dead)If
you are remodeling and find live insects in the
walls check the picture on the Termite page to
see if they look like termites. Mud
TubesTermites build tubes to travel in so that
they can stay protected from the elements.
Pictures of a mud tube are shown below. Do not
confuse mud dobber (wasp) nest with termite
tubes. Mud dobbers use mud but will leave an exit
hole. Their nests will also be filled with dead
spiders or other insects.
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Dirt or Mud piles on wallsTermites will leave
small stacks of dirt on walls or wood. If you see
a small tube like pile of dirt or mud in a corner
or on a flat wall, you may have termites. Damage
to woodCheck door moldings and floor moldings
for damage. Look for wood that has galleries or
paths cleared through it. Carpenter ants will
damage wood also, although their galleries are
clear of dirt and mud. Soft woodTermites eat
wood and cause it to become soft and weak. If you
tap wood with a screwdriver and find it to be
soft you should investigate further. Damage to
wallpaperTermites make small pin hole like
holes when they start eating wallpaper. They also
eat the backing from the paper so look for paper
that has a thin appearance.
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What else do we look for? Termites need moisture,
food (cellulose), warmth and access to your home
or building. Access points can be cracks in your
foundation openings in the foundation for
plumbing wood from the structure touching the
ground termites build tubes crawl up foundation
sides Each room in the home or building should be
checked carefully. We look high and low and all
around. We have a flashlight, screwdriver, pliers
and notepad with us when inspecting. We write
down any conducive conditions (conditions listed
in the Prevention page that attract termites)
that need correcting after our inspection. We use
the flashlight to look into bath traps, crawl
spaces, attic spaces, under sinks etc. Here are
some key places we check 1. Check the entire
foundation for mud tubes Termites need moisture
and protection from the elements. They build mud
tubes as transfer tunnels to move through open
spaces (they also drag mud into wood that they
have infested). We walk around your entire
foundation looking for mud tubes. The below
pictures show a standard side yard where our
technician found a mud tube
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Note that the homeowner has the soil well below
the brick line, so the termites built a tube to
get into the house. Be sure to pull back all the
landscaping and check the entire foundation. The
less accessible areas are favorites for termites.
Here is a close up of what the tube had
inside.The little white worm looking critters
are the termites.
2. Look up at the eaves gutters As we walk
around the foundation of your home we look up at
the eaves and gutters. Termites are not scared of
heights. We may find mud tubes in corners.
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3. We check every room inside Termites will
create mud tubes inside as well. We check walls
and ceilings for brown dirt. Termites will leave
stacks of dirt on walls and ceilings. Check
wallpaper for pin hole like damage and look for
discoloration or thinness as if the backing has
been removed.
4. We look very carefully in bathrooms Use a
pair of pliers to pull back any carpeting.
Sometimes termites will travel along the carpet
tack board. Again we look for mud or signs of
moisture. We check around tubs and showers. We
check the bath trap and check any wallpaper
closely for tiny pin holes or discoloration that
could be caused by termites.
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We use our flashlight and look under vanities and
behind commodes. In the picture below you will
see the small amount of mud/dirt in the upper
corner of a bathroom above the wallpaper.
5. We look very carefully under sinks We check
under your kitchen sink or wet bar sink the same
as you did the bathroom. Again, were looking for
mud tubes, dirt or signs of damage. 6. We check
around the hot water heater A favorite spot for
termites. Hot water tanks that are in small
closets provide excellent warmth and moisture and
are rarely undisturbed. The plumbing typically
provides the access. We use our flashlight to
look all around your hot water heater. 7. Check
supports beams in attic The attic is a
difficult place to do a thorough check because of
insulation and inaccessible areas. We do our best
to check beams and decking for termite tubes or
damage. We use our flashlight to look high and
low. 8. We check the entire garage Termites will
attack your garage, or start in your garage and
work their way to your home. We find termites in
garages quite often, therefore we recommend a
complete search. Detach garages should be
reviewed also. We check around the walls for
signs of dirt or mud. Check for tubes both inside
and out. 9. We check closets Closets provide the
dark areas that termites like. We are sure not to
skip closets while doing our inspection. Termites
can easily navigate your stuff so a full
undisturbed closet is attractive to these pests.
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10. We check for high moisture areas Termites
need moisture. Checking the structure carefully
for areas that are damp or wet is a critical part
of our inspection. Leaking plumbing is a great
clue that termites may be present. Outside areas
that stay damp from sprinklers or air
conditioning drains will be conducive to termites.

• What can not be seen
• Inside walls
• Under insulation in attic
• Crawl spaces too small for entry
• Behind certain appliances (dishwasher)
• There are some areas that are just not accessible
  in your home. Do your best to check these areas
  out but understand that there are places these
  tiny insects can go that we cant see.
• What if you find termites?
• The above tips should help you conduct a termite
  inspection. If you find live termites or see
  signs indicating they might be present, contact
  Metro Guard so that we can send a professional
  termite technician to confirm your findings.
• DO NOT SPRAY ANY PESTICIDES ON THE TUBES OR AREAS
  IN QUESTION !!This will only make it more
  difficult for the technician to evaluate your
  problem. Please see our Treatment page for
  information on how termites are treated and why
  treating the tubes will not solve the problem.

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Schedule Service Now with Metro Guard Termite and
Pest Control
Contact us Office Hours 700am to 900pm Mon
Fri 700am to 400pm Sat Fort Worth
817-572-3995 Mid Cities 817-468-2847 Dallas
972-468-2847