Termite Mud Tubes!

Termite swarming season is among us.  However, if you don’t see a termite swarm, how else can you know you have termites?  There are several subtle signs of a termite infestation that can often go unnoticed.  One of these is termite mud tubes, or shelter tubes.  Subterranean termites make nests in the soil.  However, wood is their food source.  Because termites require moisture, they will construct tunnels out of mud to connect their nest in the ground with their food source.

Termite mud tubes are made of soil, feces, and saliva.  They help to provide moisture as the termites travel as well as protect them from predators.  The average size of a termite mud tube is about the diameter of a pencil, although they can be larger.  They are most often found along foundation walls or in crawl spaces along support beams and joists.  On the exterior walls, they will most often be on the shady side of the structure.  From a distance, mud tubes look like long lines of dried mud.  Breaking open a mud tube can help determine if termites are still active.  Seeing termites inside the tube is proof of a current, active infestation.  Not seeing actual termites, however, does not necessarily mean there is no active infestation.  Termites will often rebuild damaged mud tubes, which is another indication of current activity.  Old tubes are dry and will crumble easily when broken apart.

There are three common types of tubes built by termites.  One is working tubes.  These are the tubes that run from the nest to the identified food source.  Think of this as the termites’ road system to travel back and forth from home to work.  The next type of mud tube is an exploratory tube.  These are used when looking for a food source, but they will not actually connect to a wood structure.  The third kind of tube is a drop tube.  They extend from the wooden structure back to the soil.

Although termite mud tubes can be proof of a termite infestation, the absence of tubes does not necessarily mean that a structure does not have termites.  It is recommended that homes be thoroughly inspected by a pest control professional that is trained to detect various signs of termites.

View the Original Blog Here: http://www.midgapestcontrol.com/termite-mud-tubes-2/

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Rat Damage

Norway Rat

Rats can live in a variety of conditions such as fields, gardens, farms, and even our homes.  The most common rats we encounter are the roof rat and Norway rat.  Rats are a type of rodent, and they can bring diseases into our homes as well as cause a great amount of damage.

Roof Rat

Norway rats are most often found in basements or on the ground floor.  They burrow along building foundations which can undermine the foundation or slab.  Roof rats are agile climbers and live above ground.  They are most often found in attics, false ceilings, or cabinets.  Rats have very strong teeth and can chew through wood, insulation, electrical wires, plastic, and even soft metals such as lead.

Because rats can enter a home or building through a space as small as one-half inch, it is easy for them to invade and make their new home alongside people.  Rats reproduce quickly and can be very hard to control once inside.  To help prevent rats from entering your home, a thorough inspection is important.  Seal any cracks or holes in the foundation as well as openings where water pipes, electrical wires, cables, and vents enter the home or building.  Make sure all doors, windows, and screens are tight fitting.  Roof rats find high entry points, so checking the roof is also necessary.  Trim tree limbs away from the home and thin out any dense vegetation on or near the home.  Sanitation goes a long way to keep rodents at bay.  Thorough cleaning in and around your home will reduce food sources and shelter.  Feed your pet only what it will eat at a time instead of leaving food sitting around continuously.  Store pet food in rodent-proof containers.  As you can see from the photo, rats can even chew through plastic storage containers.

If you suspect you have rats in your home or business, call Mid-Georgia Pest Control at one of our convenient locations to see how we can serve you.

Termite Swarm Season is Approaching!

Warmer temperatures are coming soon.  Are you prepared for the insect activity that the upcoming spring brings?  Each year as the weather warms up, termites start new colonies by sending out “reproductives.”  These are male and female winged termites that will be the “kings” and “queens” of future colonies.  The reproductives all leave the nest at the same time looking for a mate.  This emergence of large numbers at a time is called a “swarm.”  Swarming typically occurs March through May.  A combination of warm temperatures and rain in the spring trigger swarms.  These winged termites emerge from cracks in buildings or holes in the soil looking to mate and find new nest sites and food sources. When a homeowner sees this occurrence inside the home, it can be very frightening.

Should you be concerned if you see a swarm of termites?  Most swarms will occur outside.  However, if you see a swarm occurring inside, this means the insects’ nest is either in your home, underneath your home, or very close to the structure.  Most swarms only last about one day.  You may have around 30 minutes of high swarm activity, followed by a few smaller swarms.  The swarmers themselves are just a nuisance.  They do not eat wood, bite, or sting.  An indoor swarm, however, is an indicator of an already present infestation.  Colonies typically do not produce swarmers until the colony is around 3 to 4 years old, so a swarm means an established colony is close by.

Shortly after emerging, the swarmers, or alates, will lose their wings and look for soil to make a new home.  Many will die before finding a mate and a suitable nest site, especially indoors.  Vacuuming up as many termites as possible can help control some of the numbers.  You may find wings around windows and doors as swarmers are attracted to light.  Even in outdoor swarms, many termites will be eaten by birds, bats, and other insects.

Termites cause billions of dollars in damage every year.  Worker termites can eat wood year round.  Your home is your largest investment, and termites are silently feasting on a wood buffet.  If you suspect you have termites, and especially if you experience an indoor swarm, it is best to let a professional termite or pest control company handle the treatment.  Try to collect some of the insects or their wings to allow our pest control experts to identify your pest.  Many ants also produce swarms, and the winged ants and termites are often confused with each other.  In order to properly treat your problem, our team will need to properly identify your pest.

Prevention is always the best treatment.  Starting a year round pest control and termite prevention program will help make sure your home is protected.  Don’t wait for the swarm in your home.  Mid-Georgia Pest Control looks forward to serving you.  Call us today to learn about our pest control and termite prevention and treatment plans to serve your needs!

Please view our original blog at: http://www.midgapestcontrol.com/termite-swarm-season-approaching/

photo credit: uky.edu

Termite Bait Station Surprise!

What is a day in the life of a pest control technician like?  Some days are routine.  Others are full of surprises.  Checking termite bait stations for termite activity is generally a simple routine treatment.  When Mid-Georgia Pest Control monitors your home for termites, we place termite bait stations around the perimeter of your home.  These are placed securely in the ground with a locked cap at ground level, making them safe for families and pets.  Our technicians check these bait stations on a regular basis for any termite activity.  This helps us find termite activity early on and stop invasions before the termites take over your home.  Bait stations are replaced as needed.
This week during a routine bait station check, one of our technicians found activity in one of the bait stations.  However, it was not termite activity.  This small snake was found on top of the bait.  After lifting the bait out to check it, more slithering friends were found underneath.  This would have sent me running as fast as possible in the opposite direction!  However, our technician was able to carry the snake covered bait station to some nearby woods and release the snakes to find a new home.
We believe these are just common garter snakes.  They are not harmful to humans.  Their diet consists mostly of earthworms, amphibians, fish, and rodents.  Garter snakes are found throughout North America.  They come in a wide variety of colors, including brown, black, green, blue, yellow, red, and orange.  Most garter snakes have some type of longitudinal stripes running down their body.

Being a pest control technician sometimes means you have to be ready for anything!  You never know when an ordinary, routine day will have some surprises.  We’re happy to serve your ordinary and not so ordinary pest control problems.  Give us a call today to see how we can serve you and protect your home from whatever unwanted guests may be around.

To view our original blog please visit: http://www.midgapestcontrol.com/termitebaitstationsurprise/