We have compiled the top ten reasons why termites may invade a home.

1. MIND THE FRONT STEPS : Over the years your front stoop may sag or crack. Precipitation pools against the home and along the foundation. In some instances builders used scrap wood as fill for a void under the step. This practice, synergized by moisture pooling against the foundation, will encourage foraging activity.
2. PRUNE TREE LIMBS : Trimming back tree limbs that block sunlight from expeditiously evaporating precipitation will attract worker termites towards your living area. Ensure your home dries out quickly to suppress foraging activity.
3. MULCH :Piling mulch around your foundation is a dangerous practice. Some folks let it accumulate to the point where the foundation is no longer exposed and mulch reaches the siding. This provides a direct avenue of entry for termites. Mulch holds moisture and facilitates the breeding of fungus. Termites love this and will gravitate to an area that harbors such an environment. I suggest decorative stone be employed. It drains expeditiously and that reduces fungal buildup.
4. GRIND THE STUMPS : People spend thousands of dollars to have dead, fallen and infested trees removed. Tree companies charge extra to “grind the stump”. Stumps collect precipitation, promote fungal growth and often have roots extending towards your foundation. This is the “perfect storm” for termite activity. Grinding the stump will allow the root system to die quickly, expose any termites to predatory birds and enable easier drying after precipitation.
5. CLEAN THE GUTTERS : Backed up gutters will cause water to pool in your wall voids. Wet insulation and wood is a common cause for “satellite colony” termite issues. Termite control products base their strategy on the fact foraging termites return to the soil every twenty-four hours. If you have above ground moisture in the home any sort of mitigation will be compromised.
6. DIVERT THE DRAINS : Precipitation pooling along the foundation will attract foraging termites. Ensure all gutter drains divert water away from the building .
7. ELIMINATE WOOD TO EARTH CONTACT : Wood to earth contact will provide a direct conduit to termite nesting sites. Forms or garage door frames that extend into the soil will eventually be attacked by foraging termites. That is their job and they do it very well. Be sure that your contractor removes all wooden concrete forms in a new build or addition. Use pressure treated wood for garage door frames or any wood that requires soil contact.
8. STORE FIREWOOD OFF THE GROUND: Never pile fire wood directly on the soil against your home’s foundation. Most home and garden centers offer some sort of rack to provide a gap between the soil and wood. Cover the wood to prevent other pest related activity from taking up harborage.
9. CLEAN OUT THE CRAWL SPACE AREA : Many crawl areas are on dirt floors covered in wood debris and are ventilated, allowing warm air in the summer to enter the cool environment, where condensation will occur. Besides being a health hazard, these conditions are ideal for termite activity. A moisture barrier should be installed, sealing off the outside unconditioned air and the moisture should be removed with dehumidification. Eliminating any wood to earth contact in the crawl space will reduce your exposure. A sump pump should be installed in any basement area where water enters. Insulation should be neat and dry at all times.
10. ANNUAL INSPECTION : Having a trained professional examine your home on an annual basis will reveal any conditions that leave your home open to invasion. Most companies will perform this free of charge and many will assist you in identifying potential avenues of entry. If your home is on the market there are conditions and factors that could require you to mitigate termites even though it is unclear there is an active problem. Contact a pest control professional to learn the details of what pre-purchase protocols apply and your potential exposure.

Intelligent Pest Solutions now has a twitter account!

Twitter is a micro-blogging website where you can keep up with us on any of our updates. Our username is “pest_control.” As you can see on the right side of the site we have added a twitter box that will display our updates. The link to our page there is here. If you have a Twitter account follow us!

We recently posted about pest control terms, now we are here to talk to you about what you should expect from your pest control company.

1. Pest Control and exterminating most of the time, isn’t a one-treatment-guarantee, when a pest control professional treats for a pest at your home, it may need several treatments. Rodents (rats & mice) will most likely not be caught that day, if ever. A majority of the time bait is placed down to insure the rodent is not in the house when it dies, eliminating the chance of bad oder. After pests are treated, it could take up to two weeks to notice a decrease in pest population.
2. There are many methods for exterminating pests. Spraying is not the only method. Gel-baiting, granular baiting, traps, and dusting are only several of the other methods that can be used for pest control management.
3. Bedbugs can be found in the cleanest homes and hotels. If one guest, infected stays in a bed, they will most likely infest that bed. After that, the bed bugs can spread to other rooms easily from maids and other things.

As we come across more common questions that we are asked we will post, if you have any questions we are delighted to answer! Just contact us!

One of the most common questions people that rent from landlords have is “Who should pay for the pest control?” From our experiences with pest control companies it depends. The landlord can be nice enough and have a contract with a local pest control company, however we have noticed very rarely is there a clause in the lease where it is decided. Some renters have informed us their landlord refused to pay for the pest control, so then the renters must find a company on their own.

We hope this clears up any confusion for renters and landlords.

Does your exterminator confuse you? Would you like to expand you pest knowledge? We have compiled a list of common pest control terms to better assist you, weather it be finding a pest, or understanding your pest management professional.You can access the full list of pest control definitions here. Here is a small sample.

Abdomen - The posterior or hindmost region.¹

Adult - The fully grown, sexually active mature arthropod.¹

Antennae - The paired, segmented feerlike sensory organs located on the head above the mouth.¹

Functional Worker - In termites, workers who are either male or female and not sterile.¹

Hair - A slender flexible filament of equal diameter throughout, commonly used for seta/setae; (by definition, only found on mammals.)¹

Insect Growth Regulator (IRG) - A substance which affects the insect’s developmental cycle and disrupts its life cycle.¹

¹These definitions were obtained in the glossary of “NPCA Field Guide to Structural Pests” by Eric H. Smith and Richard C. Whitman.

Here at Intelligent Pest Solutions we are rapidly increasing our Bug Library. We are here to inform you of the most intelligent pest solutions out there! If you have any requests for bugs please use the form below to ask us. Please keep checking back frequently as we are always updating!

Rodents are looking for warm places to live. You house is ideal for their living areas, because of the cold weather. If you hear scratching or running in your attic, most likely it is a rodent that got in. For more information on Rodents please visit the library where we talk about them.

Rodent Facts

House Mouse

Norway Rat

Need some “Go Green” tips for your life?

Seql.org has compiled a great list of 100 ways to save energy. They have broken the tips up to eight different categories.

In Your Home, Conserving Energy

1. Clean or replace air filters on your air conditioning unit at least once a month.
2. If you have central air conditioning, do not close vents in unused rooms.
3. Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120.
4. Wrap your water heater in an insulated blanket.
5. Turn down or shut off your water heater when you will be away for extended periods.
6. Turn off unneeded lights even when leaving a room for a short time.
7. Set your refrigerator temperature at 36 to 38 and your freezer at 0 to 5 .
8. When using an oven, minimize door opening while it is in use; it reduces oven temperature by 25 to 30 every time you open the door.
9. Clean the lint filter in your dryer after every load so that it uses less energy.
10. Unplug seldom used appliances.
11. Use a microwave when- ever you can instead of a conventional oven or stove.
12. Wash clothes with warm or cold water instead of hot.
13. Reverse your indoor ceiling fans for summer and winter operations as recommended.
14. Turn off lights, computers and other appliances when not in use.
15. Purchase appliances and office equipment with the Energy Star Label; old refridgerators, for example, use up to 50 more electricity than newer models.
16. Only use electric appliances when you need them.
17. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs to save money and energy.
18. Keep your thermostat at 68 in winter and 78 in summer.
19. Keep your thermostat higher in summer and lower in winter when you are away
20. Insulate your home as best as you can.
21. Install weather stripping around all doors and windows.
22. Shut off electrical equipment in the evening when you leave work.
23. Plant trees to shade your home.
24. Shade outside air conditioning units by trees or other means.
25. Replace old windows with energy efficient ones.
26. Use cold water instead of warm or hot water when possible.
27. Connect your outdoor lights to a timer.
28. Buy green electricity - electricity produced by low - or even zero-pollution facilities (NC Greenpower for North Carolina - www.ncgreenpower.org). In your home-reduce toxicity.

In Your Home, Reducing Toxicity

1. Eliminate mercury from your home by purchasing items without mercury, and dispose of items containing mercury at an appropriate drop-off facility when necessary (e.g. old thermometers).
2. Learn about alternatives to household cleaning items that do not use hazardous chemicals.
3. Buy the right amount of paint for the job.
4. Review labels of household cleaners you use. Consider alternatives like baking soda, scouring pads, water or a little more elbow grease.
5. When no good alternatives exist to a toxic item, find the least amount required for an effective, sanitary result.
6. If you have an older home, have paint in your home tested for lead. If you have lead-based paint, cover it with wall paper or other material instead of sanding it or burning it off.
7. Use traps instead of rat and mouse poisons and insect killers.
8. Have your home tested for radon.
9. Use cedar chips or aromatic herbs instead of mothballs.

In Your Yard

1. Avoid using leaf blowers and other dust-producing equipment.
2. Use an electric lawn- mower instead of a gas-powered one.
3. Leave grass clippings on the yard-they decompose and return nutrients to the soil.
4. Use recycled wood chips as mulch to keep weeds down, retain moisture and prevent erosion.
5. Use only the required amount of fertilizer.
6. Minimize pesticide use.
7. Create a wildlife habitat in your yard.
8. Water grass early in the morning.
9. Rent or borrow items like ladders, chain saws, party decorations and others that are seldom used.
10. Take actions that use non hazardous components (e.g., to ward off pests, plant marigolds in a garden instead of using pesticide).
11. Put leaves in a compost heap instead of burning them or throwing them away. Yard debris too large for your compost bin should be taken to a yard-debris recycler.

In The Office

1. Copy and print on both sides of paper.
2. Reuse items like envelopes, folders and paper clips.
3. Use mailer sheets for interoffice mail instead of an envelope.Use mailer sheets for interoffice mail instead of an envelope.
4. Set up a bulletin board for memos instead of sending a copy to each employee.
5. Use e-mail instead of paper correspondence.
6. Use recycled paper.
7. Use discarded paper for scrap paper.
8. Encourage your school and/or company to print documents with soy-based inks, which are less toxic.
9. Use a ceramic coffee mug instead of a disposable cup.

Protecting Air Quality At Work

1. Ask your employer to consider flexible work schedules or telecommuting.
2. Recycle printer cartridges.
3. Shut off electrical equipment in the evening when you leave work.
4. Report smoking vehicles to your local air agency.
5. Don’t use your wood stove or fireplace when air quality is poor.
6. Avoid slow-burning, smoldering fires. They produce the largest amount of pollution.
7. Burn seasoned wood - it burns cleaner than green wood.
8. Use solar power for home and water heating.
9. Use low-VOC or water-based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers.
10. Purchase radial tires and keep them properly inflated for your vehicle.
11. Paint with brushes or rollers instead of using spray paints to minimize harmful emissions.
12. Ignite charcoal barbecues with an electric probe or other alternative to lighter fluid.
13. If you use a wood stove, use one sold after 1990. They are required to meet federal emissions standards and are more efficient and cleaner burning.
14. Walk or ride your bike instead of driving, whenever possible.
15. Join a carpool or vanpool to get to work.

Use Less Water

1. Check and fix any water leaks.
2. Install water-saving devices on your faucets and toilets.
3. Don’t wash dishes with the water running continuously.
4. Wash and dry only full loads of laundry and dishes.
5. Follow your community’s water use restrictions or guidelines.
6. Install a low-flow shower head.
7. Replace old toilets with new ones that use a lot less water.
8. Turn off washing machine’s water supply to prevent leaks.

Protect Our Water

1. Revegetate or mulch disturbed soil as soon as possible.
2. Never dump anything down a storm drain.
3. Have your septic tank pumped and system inspected regularly.
4. Check your car for oil or other leaks, and recycle motor oil.
5. Take your car to a car wash instead of washing it in the driveway.
6. Learn about your watershed.

Create Less Garbage

1. Buy items in bulk from loose bins when possible to reduce the packaging wasted.
2. Avoid products with several layers of packaging when only one is sufficient. About 33 of what we throw away is packaging.
3. Buy products that you can reuse.
4. Maintain and repair durable products instead of buying new ones.
5. Check reports for products that are easily repaired and have low breakdown rates.
6. Reuse items like bags and containers when possible.
7. Use cloth napkins instead of paper ones.
8. Use reusable plates and utensils instead of disposable ones.
9. Use reusable containers to store food instead of aluminum foil and cling wrap.
10. Shop with a canvas bag instead of using paper and plastic bags.
11. Buy rechargeable batteries for devices used frequently.
12. Reuse packaging cartons and shipping materials. Old newspapers make great packaging material.
13. Compost your vegetable scraps.
14. Buy used furniture - there is a surplus of it, and it is much cheaper than new furniture.

Termite colonies consist of:

• Primary reproductives - Function of reproducing and laying eggs
• Secondary reproductives
• Soldiers - defend the colony / nest from invaders
• Workers - forage for food and feed their nutrients to the rest of the colony

Termites are constantly foraging for food. Workers will leave a pheromone trail while they are foraging. This trail allows other termites to also locate the food source. Termites eat material that contains cellulose, such as wood, roots, plant debris, paper or cardboard. Termites can gain entrance into a structure through any part of the wood frame in contact with the ground, through openings in the foundation around pipes and conduits or through cracks in the foundation. Termites can enter through cracks that are no wider than 1/64 of an inch. Subterranean termites require moisture to survive. They will create mud tubes to obtain access to a structure that is above ground. These tubes are created from soil cemented with secretions and fecal material. The tubes are to protect the termites from exposure to sunlight or dry conditions. Termites are able to survive in a structure without contact to the ground if there is a sufficient moisture source.

What Can You Do to Help Protect Your Home?

Small steps make a big difference. Start by eliminating food and moisture conditions around your home. These simple steps will deter termites, making your home a less attractive target.

Eliminate Moisture Problems

• Repair leaking faucets, water pipes, and a/c units
• Divert water from foundation
• Keep gutters and down-spouts clean
• Ventilate crawl spaces
• Remove excessive plant cover and wood mulch
• Get rid of standing water on roof
• 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
• Place screens on outside vents
• Check decks and wooden fences for damage
• Wood on your home shouldn’t contact the soil

Warning Signs - Some indications you may have termites include

• A temporary swarm of winged insects in your home or from the soil aroundyour 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.

For more information on termites please visit our page on termites.