Termite Control

Phantom Pest Control will allow for the detection and treatment of these unwanted and damaging pests.

Termite infestation problems will be quickly eliminated with quality & warrantied extermination services because we have the experience and skill to handle any extermination situation related to these or other pests.

TERMITE EXTERMINATOR

Termite colonies eat non-stop, 24 hours a day, seven days a week; causing billions of dollars worth of property damage in the United States. They have evolved wings that they shed once they have found a good place to build a nest.  There are several different types of termites but in the Northeast, we are mainly concerned with Subterranean Termites.

SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES

These are the termites that cause so much damage to homes in the North East. They send troops out of the ground nest to reach above ground food sources. Worker termites will construct elaborate mud tunnels through the timber and framing of homes and, over time, cause significant destruction. They can destroy building foundations, wooden support beams. Termites can also injure or destroy living trees and shrubs.

Eastern subterranean termites can rapidly eat out the internal sections of structural timbers – devouring mainly the spring wood, and preferring to leave the harder summer wood sections. As a result, infested timbers are often left partly hollow with a honey-comb of layered sections. Termites are highly destructive to common building woods such as Douglas Fir.

The presence of winged termites in your home is a sure sign of infestation but the actual infestation begins when warm temperatures and heavy rainfall trigger an established colony to send out a swarm of winged termites. These swarms consist of winged, reproductive (both males and females). Subterranean termite colonies are usually active for three to five years before these winged reproductives appear.

Winged, reproductive termites are frequently mistaken for flying ants, but are smaller than ants and have straight, rather than bent, antennae. Termite swarmers have four wings that are all the same size. Ant swarmers have two large wings in front and two smaller wings behind.

After mating, swarmer termites land and shed their wings, leaving them in piles that resemble fish scales. If these piles are present on windowsills or spider webs in your home, you are most likely experiencing a termite infestation especially if the wings are all the same size.

DRYWOOD TERMITES

Drywood termites are not a problem in the Northeast but do a tremendous amount if damage in drier climates such as California. They form colonies of up to 2,500 members. These colonies don’t have workers. Younger termites, called “false workers”, do all the work for the colony.

Drywood Termite colonies are usually found in dry wood and they do not require moisture or contact with the soil. They look very similar to subterranean termites, but they are vastly different in their behavior and physiology, because they obtain water solely from their own metabolism, they do not need to maintain contact with the soil or with an external source of moisture. There is often little external evidence of their presence.

Drywood termites can build nests and dig tunnels in buildings. These tunnels cause major damage because the wooden support beams can become weak and make the building lean or fall down.

DAMPWOOD TERMITES

These are some of the largest termites in North America, perhaps the world, but thankfully they only attack wood that is so wet and moist that rot is likely to set in. Found in wood that is laying on the ground, partially rotted. Homes only encounter these termites when there is some excessive moisture condition such as a chronic roof leak, a chronic pluming leak, or excessive moisture in a substructure crawlspace (standing water, lack of ventilation, etc.) Dampwood Termites swarm – that is, they send out their winged-reproductives, in the late summer.

FORMOSAN TERMITES

The Formosan termite is rarely found North of 35° N latitude. So they are a problem in the South.

Formosan termites are the largest, most aggressive and destructive timber pests in the United States. It is known to cause major structural timber damage to homes and buildings within a few months. These termites live in huge colonies that are divided into three groups: workers, soldiers and reproductives.

Formosans live in huge underground colonies (up to 300 feet long), and build mud nests inside the walls of a building. They can also live in boats and buildings. Major swarms of this termite occur in May and June, but small flights can occur at any time of the year. Swarming is the primary way the termite naturally spreads after it has been transported to a new area. Spread by swarming is slow mainly because these insects are poor fliers.

TERMITE TREATMENTS NYC

How would you know that you need a termite treatment… Some indications you may have a termite infestation include the following:

  • A temporary swarm of winged insects in your home or from the soil around your home.
  • Any cracked or bubbling paint or frass (termite droppings).
  • Wood that sounds hollow when tapped.
  • Mud tubes on exterior walls, wooden beams, or in crawl spaces.
  • Discarded wings from swarmers.

ELIMINATE MOISTURE PROBLEMS

  • Repair leaking faucets, water pipes, and a/c units, that contact any wood
  • Divert water from foundation of your home or building
  • Keep gutters and down-spouts clean so they don’t back up
  • Remove excessive plant cover and wood mulch close to your home
  • Get rid of standing water on roofs
  • Keep all vents clear and open
  • Seal entry points around water and utility lines or pipes

REMOVE FOOD SOURCES

  • Keep firewood, lumber, or paper away from foundation or crawl space
  • Get rid of stumps and debris near house
  • Check decks and wooden fences for damage
  • Wood on your home shouldn’t contact the soil

At Phantom Pest Control, we take great pride in our organization and strongly believe that our services should always exceed our customer’s expectations. Our highly competent professional staff is always eager to help you with any of your exterminating needs.