Termite Extermination on Vancouver Island
For eco-friendly termite extermination on Vancouver Island, The Pest Doctor is the pest control company to call. Termites are one of Mother Nature’s tree recyclers, and as we all know, the temperate rainforest habitat we live in is a perfect place for termites to be making their living.
Termites use a technique called “thermo-shadowing” in order to decide where they will come to the surface to forage for food. When a tree falls to the ground it begins to trap moisture under it, creating rot and a temperature gradient which the termites are able to sense as a food source.
House foundations also mimic this natural thermal gradient and encourage the termites to the surface. They may appear within structures through cracks in the foundation, any wood that may be in contact with the earth or build protective mud tubes to move from the ground to the wood portion of the structure.
Termite Infestation: What You Need to Know
Subterranean termites are ground-inhabiting, social insects that live in colonies and feed on cellulose or wood. They travel through distinctive mud tubes to reach food sources above the soil surface, unseen by predators. Any damage to these tubes is quickly repaired. Full-grown workers are soft-bodied, wingless and creamy white; about 1cm in length. Once a year, maybe twice, new colonies are formed when winged reproductives emerge in flight or swarm. Flying ants and swarming termites are often difficult to tell apart. After a flight though, termites shed their wings and return to the ground; flying ants will drop to the ground and die without shedding. Looking closely, the termite swarmers appear to have only two body parts, relatively straight antennae and two pairs of wings that are longer than the body.
Although a termite swarm occurs within an hour or two, this important sign should not be ignored, as these insects are hard at work year-round. Once the swarmers have retreated, only a trained individual can find signs of a termite infestation. A colony of subterranean termites may be up to 18-20 feet below the soil surface to protect it from extreme weather conditions. The termite colony is made up of reproductives, soldiers, and workers reaching its maximum size in approximately 4 to 5 years and may include 60,000 to 2,00,000 workers.
Before Treatment
-
Plan to be away for at least 6 to 8 hours after application unless otherwise directed by the technician. This includes most pets. Fish tanks should be covered and the filter turned off. Plants are ok.
a. Small children of age 2 years and under, people with respiratory problems, and pregnant women should be out overnight according to the BC Ministry of Environment guidelines. Apply these same guidelines to special-needs pets.
-
Identify utility feed lines (water, gas, hydro, etc) in the area.
-
The technician would appreciate clear access to the inside and outside walls of the area(s) identified for treatment, possibly removing baseboards and pulling back the carpets.
Application
Proper treatment to stop this infestation includes creating a chemical barrier. The customized treatment may include saturation of soil or wood around foundation walls and/or slab. Small access holes may be drilled to apply the chemical under the concrete and stop the termites from being able to enter. Foam sometimes is used to “carry” the pesticide into gaps where traditional liquids are not able to get it.
What to expect
You may see termites, even reproductives, evacuating the colony for up to six weeks. This will vary depending on colony size and food supply.
Guarantee
Our treatment carries a 3-year guarantee in the area of treatment.
