Post Construction Termite Treatment: Advantages and Disadvantages If your home has been infested by termites, you probably have used post-construction chemical termite treatment as an immediate remedy to rid your home of the infestation. In fact, this type of treatment has enjoyed widespread popularity for the longest time. Perhaps its major advantage is the ease it can be applied to structures, post construction. It is also relatively cheaper compared to pre-construction termite control systems. However, using post construction chemical barrier systems also have some major disadvantages. Astrid One, a termite control company in Singapore came up with an infographic on
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Archives for subterranean termites
How drywood and subterranean termites differ
Mention the word “termites”, and most people will immediately think of some type of whitish colored insect that feeds on wood and can damage buildings. It is true that termites can damage wooden structures and that most of them eat wood, but when you consider there being thousands of species of termites in the world, it won’t be surprising to know that there are also major differences amongst each species or type. However, it is important to know how drywood and subterranean termites differ.
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Exterra termite baiting system
Exterra is a relatively new form of termite control that has been found effective in controlling subterranean termites (like Coptotermes spp). Up until now, the most commonly used form of termite control was to apply chemicals directly to the soil to form a barrier. This process involves spraying large amounts of potentially hazardous chemicals around your home, yourself, and your family. The Exterra termite baiting system offers an alternative method that eliminates the need for chemical sprays, while eliminating the source of termite infestations – the colony. The process is formally known as “The Exterra Termite Interception and Baiting System”.
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Subterranean Termites
Subterranean termites are termites whose mode of nesting is within soil. Termites have several modes of nesting, and soil nesting is the most common mode of nesting for many species. The other modes of nesting are arboreal nesting, mound nesting, and wood nesting. Soil nesting has many advantages for termites, and some species (typically from the Rhinotermitidae family) can be very adaptable in cohabiting with humans in human modified environments, like in urban and semi urban areas. This adaptability also puts them in conflict with humans.
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Termite pictures – Reticulitermes species
The following photos were sent by a reader, Angela, from Nashville, Tennessee. While poking around in the garden, the reader came across some white colored insects and wondered if they might be termites. She dropped me an email to ask my opinion. With her kind permission, I’d like to share some of the photos here.
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Termite control basics
There are several methods of termite control treatment for subterranean termites which can be carried out; basically there are only 3 methods which boil down to 1) Prevention or stopping termites from taking hold at the very onset 2) Drilling method carried out when the premises are already infested by termites 3) Baiting method, which is carried out at the onset of an infestation, when active termites are found around the premises
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Termite damage photos
In continuing from our recent post on termite damage here are more photos so you can see how termite damage looks like. These termite damages are all Coptotermes gestroi inflicted, and the damage extended to dozens of houses in one area of about 5 hectares (or more than 12 acres). Since all the houses were close by or interlinked, the termites (which probably comprised a few colonies altogether), ran rampant and caused a lot of damage. The damage was so severe that many of the houses could not be salvaged, with a huge drop in their market value.
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Termite pictures – Coptotermes gestroi
Coptotermes gestroi or the Asian Subterranean Termite is one of the most destructive termites in Asia (along with the Formosan Subterranean Termite), responsible for much of the termite damage statistics reported. Small and hardy, Coptotermes gestroi has been reported in new countries outside of its native range, including Australia and parts of USA, indicating an ability to adapt to new environments easily.
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Coptotermes – The top subterranean termite pests
The Coptotermes genus have perhaps the most infamous termite species in the world. While there are many species in this genus, most of the differences between species are small, and can only be detected after careful examination with a microscope. Nonetheless, the Coptotermes termites can generally be distinguished from other termite species due to their appearance: Whitish colored workers, and soldiers with ovoid, orange heads, sharp mandibles, and pale body.
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Introduction to termites
Termites. Most people loath termites because of their reputation. But termites have been around on the earth for a very long time, and are essential to many habitats and ecosystems – Far longer than most creatures on earth today. Known as “white ants” to some folks, termites are most numerous in the tropics, but they are also found in many temperate regions of the globe. Read on to obtain an introduction to termites.
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