Below is a list of proposed several tips to avoid termite infestations:
As most termites are attracted to moisture, avoid water accumulation near your home’s foundation. Divert water away with property functioning downspouts, gutters and splash blocks.
Quickly repair house damage from a leaky roof or window as termites can thrive in this moisture
Never bury wood scraps or waste lumber in the yard, especially near the building. Remove old tree stumps and roots around and beneath the building
Most importantly, eliminate any wood contact with the soil. Maintaining a 1 inch gap between the soil and wood portions of the building is ideal
Recognizing the destruction termites can cause, it is important to be aware of infestation warning signs:
Swarming of winged forms in the fall and spring-termites can easily be confused with flying ants.
Evidence of mud tunneling in, over and under wood structures.
Wooden structures exhibit darkening or blistering.
Damaged wood becomes extremely thin and can be easily punctured by a knife or a screwdriver.
There are two kinds of homes: those that have had termites and those that will get them. And termites are nearly impossible for homeowners to treat on their own. So what should a homeowner look for when selecting a pest control operator? Review our list below.
A qualified and licensed pest management company that is a member of national, state or local pest management associations.
Ask friends and neighbors to recommend companies they have used successfully.
Buy value, not price.
Before signing a contract, be sure to fully understand the nature of the pest to be controlled, the extent of the infestation, and the work necessary to solve the problem.
Find out if the company has liability insurance to cover any damages to your house or furnishings during treatment.
If a guarantee is given, know what it covers, how long it lasts, what you must do to keep it in force, and what kind of continuing prevention and management are necessary.
***It needs to be noted though that if you hire a pest control professional you are not guaranteed a pest-free home. Pests and pest conditions constantly change around a home, so pests can come back. If a guarantee is given, know what it covers, how long it lasts, what you must do to keep in it force, and what kind of continuing prevention and management are necessary.
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Recently, the SABCC (Southern Arizona Buffelgrass Coordination Center) reported this newsletter article about Northwest Exterminating, the best in bufflegrass removal.
“Tucson Airport Authority contracted with Northwest Exterminating/Northwest Landscaping to perform the work on the airport property, no small task. Northwest hired off-duty firemen from Tucson Fire and Drexel Heights Fire to do the backpack spraying. Groups of 8 to 10 canvased the ground, identifying and treating any buffelgrass that they found. They had a boom truck and an ATV with a mounted hose sprayer for backup and for large contiguous patches of buffelgrass. Northwest’s strategy proved to work well and they finished treating the airport well ahead of what was expected.
SABCC held three certification class for Northwest, training nearly 45 people on Buffelgrass rules and regulations, history, identification and management techniques. Northwest put the certification to the test on TAA property. The Buffelgrass Mitigation Certification course is available for your landscape contractor. Please, contact SABCC to find out how and why your contractor should become certified.
Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation (NRPR) had to wait a little longer for the rain and as a result buffelgrass green-up on the west side of town was a little slower. NRPR handled their herbicide treatments in-house using a combination of trailer mounted hose spraying and backpack spraying to complete the treatments around the Mission Road Complex.
Post treatment monitoring has begun at both areas and effects of the herbicide treatment are evident. Surveys will be performed, starting now, to assess the effects of the herbicide treatment, and next summer to assess for mortality and for new plants from the seed bank.
This time of year it is very common to find termites on any given property in Tucson. The termites like the temperature and humidity that the monsoon season brings. Keeping this in mind, don’t be too alarmed when you see termites on your home. Although we Tucsonans have many occurrences of termites, the species of termite that we have here isn’t as destructive as other species found in the United States. Of course, you would want to schedule a treatment as soon as you can, however, the termites won’t eat your home to match sticks within a couple weeks. Termites eat cellulose and wood is a great source of food for them. The best protection from termites is to maintain a chemical barrier or termite baiting system in place around your home. Since we do have so many occurrences of termites in Tucson, maintaining a proactive stance against termites is key. When termites are found on your home, schedule a termite inspection and get your home treated. Depending on the type of slab your home was built on there are many different entry points for termites. Primarily, you will see termite shelter tubes built from the ground up the foundation of the home. Another popular entry point is plumbing protrusions that come through the foundation into your home. As you walk around your home, keep an eye out for termite shelter tubes and watch for them inside your home also. Being proactive by maintaining a chemical barrier or baiting system in addition to watching your property can keep you ahead of the termites.
Without rodenticides, rodents would continue to spread potentially fatal diseases. Rodents are best known to harbor over 200 human pathogens. Rodents have also been known to bite thousands of people each year. Rodenticides are needed to protect the public from these dangerous pests.
