by Kevin Boie

PLANO, Texas – It’s a double-punch for termite trouble in North Texas: peak season and the biggest swarms in 10 years.

Texas A&M entomologist Dr. Michael Merchant said the reason for the increase in the number of the wood-eating insects is unclear. But that that one thing is certain — termites can mean big trouble for homeowners. The voracious insects cause $2 billion worth of damage to homes in the United States each year.

Locally, business is booming for pest control companies.

“It is way busier,” said Dennis Jenkins of ABC Pest & Lawn. “We’ve had many, many more calls with swarming.”

Merchant said being able to identify the bug is the first step to protecting property.

“This is your No. 1 clue that you might have a problem with termites — these small, black insects — with or without wings,” he said referring to specimens in his lab.

If you spot suspected termites, the next step is to call a professional exterminator.

Homeowner Kristie Smoot did just that when she noticed a hole in an interior wall of her home.

“I wanted to think it was ants, and I picked at it and kind of saw things moving around, and I called the termite company, and they said it was a swarm,” Smoot said.

The insects had eaten through the wall and were about to begin swarming inside her home.

“It’s pretty scary to think about the damage they can do, and the costs involved,” she said.

Source: http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/051010-Mega-Swarms-Spell-Termite-Trouble

BASF (The world’s leading chemical company) has recently launched a couple of very useful, informational websites for consumers. The Ant Institute is a site dedicated to relaying vital ant control information to home owners. The site features great tips on how to avoid an ant infestation, and also contains facts about colony behavior, and the biology of ants. Another cool aspect of the site is it has an ask the expert feature, which is always a useful resource. Remember, you can always ask us about your pest & termite control questions.

The other site BASF recently launched is The Termite Institute. The site has many similar aspects as the ant institute does except the focus is on termite inspection & control. The site provides homeowners with many answers to questions that people constantly have about these common invaders. You can find the answers to questions such as…

Can termites tunnel through cement?

Does homeowners’ insurance cover the cost of termite damage?

Can I treat my termite infestation myself?

You can also find a useful termite identification chart to help you identify this particularly annoying pest. Be sure to let us know what other pest and termite control resources you use when looking for a professional to protect your home and family.

Our Myers Green program manages all pest issues with the least threat to human, non-targeted organisms and the environment. Myers Green embraces reduced toxins, clean air, and works hand in hand with energy and water efficiency to lower the carbon footprint. Myers Green emphasizes (IPM) Integrated Pest Management non-chemical control techniques to prevent pest infestations before they start. Myers Green is a University lab and field tested approach for proven knockdown of pests for both the interior and exterior of your home and/or business.

Myers is committed to training our pest specialists in the latest Eco-Technology. Myers experienced Green Team has taken the greatest care in selecting the most effective green products on the market. When action is needed, your specialist can apply a full line of eco-friendly products in exact amounts and in targeted areas to combat specific pests so you’ll get results not repercussions.

To schedule a free inspection and find out more about our Myers Green program, visit us at Myers Pest.

Myers is a member of the United States Green Business Council

1/2” Long

Each year Termites cause more damage to homes than all other natural disasters combined – including tornadoes, hurricanes, floods and fires. Although they usually swarm and are most noticeable in the spring and early summer, they can infest your home at any time. To help you identify them, swarming termites are always black. These swarmers are often confused with Carpenter Ants, but unlike the Carpenter Ant, the termite’s body is one solid carrot shape with a small head graduating to a larger bottom, their antenna are straight rather than elbowed and their wings are all the same size. Some termite species are so small that they only need a space 1/64-inch wide, the thickness of a piece of paper, to enter your home. Termites invade homes in search of their favorite food – wood.

To schedule a free, no-obligation inspection and discover how Myers can help you with your termite problem, visit us at Myers Pest.

Carpenter Ants

Now is the time that carpenter ants are swarming in homes throughout Texas. To help you identify these ants, they have 3 distinct segments to their body shape – as if they have two thin waists separating each segment, their antennas are elbowed and their wings are two different sizes. The presence of these swarming carpenter ants means that a carpenter ant nest resides somewhere in or close to your home. But unlike Termites, Carpenter ants don’t eat wood; instead they chew and hollow out “galleries” or holes in the wood for nesting. These holes are so smooth they look like they were smoothed by sandpaper. They mostly choose to nest in areas between studs or behind insulation in walls. Their nests have even been found in the interior of hollow core doors. They usually prefer high moisture content wood for nesting purposes, so after a spring rain be sure to inspect your window sills, soffits, eves and fascia boards. These ants invade homes in search of food and feed on living or dead insects and nearly all sweets and meats. Carpenter ants usually swarm 3-4 weeks before termites start swarming.

Termites

Each year Termites cause more damage to homes than all other natural disasters combined – including tornadoes, hurricanes, floods and fires. Although they usually swarm and are most noticeable in the spring and early summer, they can infest your home at any time. To help you identify them, swarming termites are always black. These swarmers are often confused with Carpenter Ants, but unlike the Carpenter Ant, the termite’s body is one solid carrot shape with a small head graduating to a larger bottom, their antenna are straight rather than elbowed and their wings are all the same size. Some termite species are so small that they only need a space 1/64-inch wide, the thickness of a piece of paper, to enter your home. Termites invade homes in search of their favorite food – wood.

The bottom line is – whether it is Carpenter Ants or Termites, both can and will destroy the wood inside and outside your home. To make sure your home is safe from these wood destroying insects call Myers Pest & Termite to schedule a free, no-obligation inspection.