Archive for the ‘termites’ Category

What is Bora Care? And How Can It Help You Get Rid of Termites?

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

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For those who find that they are having a terrible time with termites, Bora Care can often be the best answer. Bora Care can help with many different types of termites. These include subterranean, Formosan, dampwood and drywood termites. Bora Care is an incredible solution that’s easy to prepare and apply as a treatment. And most importantly, Bora Care is also extremely effective when trying to get rid of termites. But just what exactly is Bora Care, and how does it work?

Bora Care usually comes in a concentrate form and is made up of 40% disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, which is the active ingredient in Bora Care. The solution is mixed with clean, warm water to help it dissolve and then it’s poured into an applicator tank. For large areas and larger tanks, the water must be poured in first with the Bora Care being added slowly for a proper mix.

Bora Care can be applied in a number of different ways. For visible infestations that you can reach easily, the Bora Care solution can simply be sprayed on the wood until it is wet. You can also inject Bora Care into the wood to get rid of termites. This can be done by drilling small holes into the wood and filling them with Bora Care. A foaming agent can also be added and mied with two parts water and one part Bora Care. The foam can then be applied to the wood where it will expand and fill in every crevice. After about an hour, the foam will dissolve into a liquid and will be absorbed by the wood.

These are the most popular types of applications for Bora Care. A fogging machine can also be used for especially difficult places such as attics and crawlspaces. However, these machines should only be used by a professional and only as a last resort.

Bora Care is an excellent solution when you’re trying to get rid of termites. Not only is it highly effective, but it can also be applied in a number of different ways, depending on what you and your situation needs.

For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258 or go to our website!

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How Can Foam Treatments Get Rid of Your Termites?

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

When you find that you have termites, you’ll quickly find that there are many options available to you for getting rid of them. Soil injections, baiting methods, and fumigation are all things that might be able to help. However, foam treatments are also gaining in popularity because they can be even easier to use than other methods and often, can be quite a bit cheaper.

Foam termite treatments start off in liquid pesticide form and can easily be sprayed onto other areas. After they’re sprayed, they’ll quickly start to expand and fill in the entire area that’s infested. This works much more effectively than other types of sprays and insecticides because those methods only work on the area where they’re directly sprayed. But that’s not the only benefit that foam termite treatments have over other methods.

After the foam has expanded to fit into every nook and cranny, it will remain that way for about an hour. It will then dissipate and soak into the wood where it sat. Once it has been absorbed by the wood, it will remain there for up to five years. This is a huge advantage over other methods that have to be reapplied and retreated every so often, or every year during termite season.

Foam treatments are also better for the environment than other types of termite control. Foam doesn’t release harmful chemicals into the air like fumigation does, and it also doesn’t sink into the ground, damaging the soil and the vegetation.

Foam treatments for termites are extremely beneficial and hold many advantages over other types of termite treatments. Not only are they better for the environment, and more effective in many cases, but foam can also get into smaller areas that might be hard to reach with liquid or spray pesticides.

For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258.

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Can You Get a Warranty on Your Termite Control?

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

When your termite problem gets out of hand and you need to call in the professionals, you’ll be happy to know that calling in an exterminator will most likely get rid of the termites in and around your home. But what if it doesn’t work? What if you find yourself in just a few short months with another termite problem? You won’t need to worry about that if you find a good exterminator that offers a warranty on their work.

If companies do offer warranties, they’ll usually offer them for a year or for an extended time. If possible, you should try to obtain a warranty that will last for two to three years after the initial treatment. Also look closely to see what is offered under the warranty. It’s important to remember that when a company offers a warranty, it’s only offering a warranty for the service and not for damage repair or for the termite barrier.

It’s also very important that the warranty does not vaguely refer to “termite control.” This leaves lots of loopholes for companies to use in order to get out of making necessary repairs. Also find out if the warranty also includes a yearly charge that you’ll be required to pay and if so, for how long and what these fees will include. Also find out if these fees are included in the initial price for the service.

When you’ve finally gotten rid of your termites, make sure that you also have a warranty – so you won’t have to deal with them again any time soon!

For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258.

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Orangewood Oil is a Great Solution for Termites!

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

If you have a termite infestation, you might think that you’re never going to get rid of them. They do seem to be everywhere and many of the products out there might not be enough. But when you want to be sure that you’ll be rid of termites, orange oil is a great way to get rid of them!

Orange oil is made from an extract in the skin of an orange, and it is very powerful stuff. Humans can suffer allergic reactions just from being exposed by it for too long so, it’s always wise to properly protect yourself and make sure that you’re not inhaling the fumes or handling it too much. Orangewood oil has an active ingredient known as D-Limonene, which has been proven to be effective against other pests such as mosquitoes, ants, crickets, and flies. First, the orangewood oil attacks the termite’s skeleton and moves on to destroying their cell membranes. Essentially the termite ends up dying from a lack of food and water.

When using orangewood oil to get rid of termites, a small hole needs to be drilled into the wood where the termites are feeding. The hole can then be filled with the orangewood oil and will kill the termites when they come in direct contact with the oil. And even those termites who don’t get a lunch out of the oil, will eventually die from starvation because the wood has now been treated with the orangewood oil. The oil can take anywhere from three days to three weeks to effectively kill all of the termites.

Once the oil has gotten rid of the termites, the occupant of the home should check back periodically to see if any termites have come back to the area. There are even trained canines that come to sniff out termite-infested areas that haven’t been discovered yet.

For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258.

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How to Practice Eco-Friendly Termite Control

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

Termites can be nasty creatures, and they can cause severe damage to houses, trees, and anything that’s made of wood. But the methods that are often used to get rid of termites can emit nasty chemicals into the air and contribute to the ever-growing pollution problem while damaging our planet. But there are solutions that can be done to get rid of termites in an eco-friendly fashion, to save the earth without having to live with termites.

The first, and perhaps most eco-friendly option for getting rid of termites is to bring in other insects such as spiders and ants that will get rid of the problem. This is ideal if you’re dealing with termites outdoors in your garden or patio. You can also place manure down. Termites like to munch on things like live plants, so bringing in loads of materials that are not their food source might be enough to drive them away. If that doesn’t work, try redirecting them to another area by placing lots of food that will attract them away from the spot where they currently are. Of course, these options are best used outdoors. So what can you do if you have termites inside that you need to get rid of?

The first thing that can be done is to have a heat treatment applied in your home. This method involves a professional coming in and bringing the temperature throughout the whole house up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. It is then left at the uncomfortable temperature for 33 minutes. Just enough time to get those nasty termites out of your home! Another application that requires heat to remove the termites is microwaving. Again done by a professional, this application applies micro-waves to certain areas in the wood, making the termite’s bodily fluid boil and killing them. Other professionals may use high-voltage electricity to kill the termites, which simply electrocutes them.

Once you’ve gotten rid of your termites in an eco-friendly manner, make sure that you take preventative measures to make sure that the termites won’t come back. This can be done by digging a small trench around an outside area, and filling it with small pebbles. If the problem is inside, try installing very fine-wired mesh around the space to keep out the pests.

For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258.

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How to Choose a Termite Control Service

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

Regardless of whether you have a current termite problem, or you’re simply trying to protect your property investment with a termite prevention program there are a few things you may want to consider as you choose a termite control service:

First, take some time to discuss termite control with your friends and neighbors and ask them what kinds of services their providers offer.  Ask them what they like and don’t like about their pest control service and make it a point to ask your potential provider about these things during your initial visit.

You also want to have a good idea of whether or not you’ve currently got termites or if you property has had a termite problem in the past.  Most states require that the seller of a property disclose any prior termite infestation to the new owners, but you may want to go back and review your initial inspection report and closing documents if it’s been a while.  You can also look around your property for tell-tale signs of termites—things like mounds, tunnels, droppings and wood siding that is jagged from being chewed on.

When you’re finally ready to make a decision on a pest control service, make your choice based on three important things:  price, experience, and customer service.  Obviously you want to get the best value for your money, but keep in mind that not all pest control services are created equal.  Be sure you compare a company’s experience and customer service by checking references, reading customer reviews online, and talking to people you know about how well they served them.

Termites are very serious pest control problem that can affect the overall value of your home or property.  Don’t delay calling a pest control expert if you suspect a termite problem, and be ready to take action if they determine there is an infestation.  For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258 or go to http://www.accuracypluscalifornia.com/.

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Subterranean Termites

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010

One of the most destructive pests in the U.S. is subterranean termites.  While they have their place in the natural world, they cause approximately $2 billion of damage to developed property each year.  Subterranean termites can be hard to identify because they stay hidden behind walls, under floors and other out-of-the-way spots.

Subterranean termites are named so because they build their nests in the soil.  Inside the colony are three types of members: soldiers, workers and reproductives.  Each of these types dedicates their entire lives to fulfilling their purpose within the community, but it is the workers which are responsible for consuming the precious wood structure of your home or deck.

Colonies can range in size depending on the location, climate, and availability of food.  Workers are attracted by the scent of decaying wood so if you live in a damp part of the country or have piles of wood in your yard that are constantly exposed to the elements, you may be running a higher risk of infestation.

Because subterranean termites require constant protection, they will build tubes out of the soil and create a sort of highway they can travel to and from a food source in. One of the easiest ways to diagnose an infestation, therefore, is visually sighting these raised tubes in the soil around your property. Also, due to their extremely private nature, any visual sighting of actual termites is an almost sure sign of a larger infestation.  (You should not hesitate to call a pest control professional immediately in this case.)

One of the best ways to prevent subterranean termites is by maintaining your property and keeping it free of debris.  You can also stay on top of any structural repairs that need to be done on your home’s exterior, including removing any wood-to-soil contact points. Make sure the soil on your property is properly drained, and can dry out thoroughly after a rain shower. 

Subterranean termites can be terrifying for a homeowner, affecting the value of the property and calling for extensive repairs.  If you have any reason to believe these creatures are on your property, call a professional pest control service immediately to find out for sure, and learn what can be done to protect your investment now and in the future.  For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258 or go to www.accuracypluscalifornia.com.

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Termites: Early Detection Is the Key

Thursday, April 1st, 2010

Home owners live in fear of the dreaded termite.  Not only do they cause damage to your home’s structural integrity, but they can affect the resale value of your home.  But termites don’t have to be a death knoll for a house.  It is easy to spot them even in their early stages of colonizing, and then you can remediate them quickly and effectively.

What should you look for when it comes to termites on your property?  Obviously if you see a termite you need to call out a pest control service immediately.  But not all termites are visible.  That’s why you should regularly walk around and inspect your property.  Grab a flashlight and look through your basement, or in areas of your property where there are wood piles and other debris.  If you see “tubes” in the dirt, you’ll know that termites are building pathways to carry food to and from their nests. 

You may also find wood shavings or droppings around areas of your home inside or outside.  Look for any worn or disintegrating wood that is on the exterior of your home, and inside tap along your walls, floors and ceiling to listen for hollow wood that may be eaten from the inside out.

The moment you suspect termites on your property, call a professional pest control service.  These little critters work fast and they can cause serious (and costly) damage to your home.  A professional pest control service can not only remove existing termites, they can advise you on the best way to prevent a re-infestation. 

Your home is not only a valuable investment but it is a source of pride.  Take the best possible care of it by being alert to possible termite infestations.  Remember, the earlier you can detect termites, the easier it will be to get rid of them for good.  For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258 or go to www.accuracypluscalifornia.com.

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The Different Types of Termites You Should Be Looking For

Thursday, December 24th, 2009

Every homeowner lives in fear of termites, but not many know what they should be looking for when it comes to these destructive critters.  Knowing how to identify termites and their colonies is the most effective way to get rid of them before they do any serious damage.  Regardless of whether you have a history of termites on your property or not, you need to know how to spot termite trouble so you can address it right away. 

In North America there are two common types of termites:  Drywood and Subterranean.  Drywood termites live above ground and make their home in wooden structures which can include your house.  Over time, their breeding and feeding will weaken the overall integrity of your house requiring major repairs.   The Subterranean termites live in underground colonies similar to ants.  By far the majority of damage done each year is by this species.  They have the ability to spread out from their nest up to 100 feet and eat up to 15 lbs. of wood each week.

You can prevent termite infestations much more easily than you can treat an infestation.  Sealing your wood or using treated wood to build new structures is one way to make sure termites don’t turn your house into a smorgasbord.  Another important way to prevent damage is to know how to identify termites in the area.  You may see “droppings” that look like grains of sand; or see tunnels in the earth around a wood pile or exterior walls.  During the spring you may even see swarms of winged termites seeking to start a new colony and looking for a cozy spot close to a food source.

Termites are not a pest you want to mess around with.  They can cause serious damage to your property, cost your thousands of dollars in damages and repairs, and greatly affect the resale value. Once you see termites on your property, you need to call a pest control service immediately to ascertain the damage and come up with an extermination plan.  You’ll also want to have an ongoing maintenance plan in place to prevent re-infestation.   

For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258 or go to http://www.accuracypluscalifornia.com/.

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Don’t Let Termites Eat Away at Your Investment

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

Termites are one of the most destructive pests in the U.S., costing homeowners billions of dollars in property damages every year.  They have the ability to destroy your house; trees and plants on your property; and even in-ground swimming pools.  Once you’ve had them, your house is forever marred.  You may even have trouble selling your home at a future date if you’ve been infested with termites.

However, if you are able to detect them early, you can drastically minimize the amount of damage done.  It pays to have regular termite inspections done, and if you’ve had termites before you should be treating your property consistently.  You will be able to detect termites by looking for winged insects swarming around, termite droppings, bubbling paint, or wood that sounds hollow when you knock on it.

The first thing to do if you suspect you have termites is have a professional come out and look at your home’s structure to make sure they haven’t done any major damage.  If your infestation is in the early stages, you’ll want to take steps to eliminate any moisture around your home such as leaking a/c units or pipes, remove mulch or plants that are covering the ground, and seal any openings on the exterior of your house.  You also want to remove piles of lumber, old stumps or debris, and clear away anything like a shed that is leaning against your house.

Depending on the breed of termites and the severity of your infestation, treatment can vary from spraying liquid termiticides, painting on a liquid treatment, placing bait around the house or fumigating your property.  Some individuals may try to manage their termite problem themselves, but considering the affect termites can have on the overall value of your home, you would be wise to trust your investment to professional a professional pest control service.

For a free inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258 or go to http://www.accuracypluscalifornia.com/.

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