A Termite in Need May Eat Your Deed!
Cellulose products among homeowner items serving as fuel for $5 billion dollars in termite damage every year
By Barry Murray
Spokesperson, Truly Nolen of America
Although termites are known for their industriousness and can find a way into your home whether it is made of wood or concrete, homeowners need to be aware that have more at stake than just their homes when it comes to these destructive insects. In fact, according to Phil Koehler, Professor of Entomology at the University of Florida, homeowners may not realize that their home isn’t the only thing a termite will find satisfying.
“The deed to your home is just as vulnerable as your home itself!” said Koehler. “Consumers should be aware that anything made of cellulose, a material found in all plant cells, is inviting to a termite,” said Koehler. “Whether it’s photographs, a family bible, a legal will or other important documents, these valuables can be safe-guarded against through continuous protection.”
In terms of numbers, the National Pest Control Association estimates that termites are responsible for $5 billion in damage every year.
Termites cause more damage in the U.S. than storms, fires and floods combined, and Homeowner’s Insurance will not cover the cost of treatment. While you sleep, termites may literally be eating you out of house, home and even your business.
The rising cost of construction is a second trend Prof. Koehler believes makes continuous protection of homes from termites important.
“The cost of construction has risen from $140 to $250 per square foot for a house over the last five years,” said Koehler. “If a home isn’t continuously protected from termites, the repair costs can be exorbitant because it is almost impossible to find people who can handle such a repair.”
Koehler said another potential issue with construction is the way pipes are wrapped during the building process.
“Termites are using the wraps around PVC pipes that come up into the slabs as their highway into a home,” said Koehler. “While the wrap is imperative for copper pipes to help prevent corrosion, they are not necessary for PVC pipes. Therefore, many cities are trying to clarify the building code so builders are aware the wrap is unnecessary. Until these changes are made, continuous termite protection will help keep these intruders at bay.”
Eastern Subterranean termites are one of the types of termite that can cause problems in a home or personal belongings. Cellulose nourishment enables them to tunnel their way through solid wood such as house timber. Left undetected, they will tirelessly attack a home, causing dangerous and costly structural damage.
“Although Eastern Subterranean termites generally swarm in spring, and fall, they can also swarm anytime environmental conditions are right such as unseasonably warm weather,” said Murray.
Another termite that causes untold damage is the Arizona termite. Arizona termites are small, but much more aggressive. In fact, in comparison to the standard Eastern subterranean termites, these pesky critters congregate in more colonies per acre, causing more damage. Serious infestations or resistant termites require a professional.
A termite prevention program should include the following elements:
- A professional inspection done at least once a year because the potential damage is too great to rely on “do-it-yourself’ methods.
- An ongoing preventive system including the newest sodium borate-based materials, which can be painted, sprayed, or spread onto the wood, or injected into hollow spaces inside the walls of the home.
- Having your pest control professional establish an “early warning system” that detects termites in the soil before they reach the home itself. The newest systems establish bait stations around the perimeter of the home, to detect the approach of termites while they are still several feet away.
- Anytime termites are found within five feet of a structure, begin more aggressive control treatments.
As national spokesperson for Truly Nolen of America, Barry “The Bug Guy” Murray has over 20years of experience in the pest control industry. Barry brings an informative as well as unique and entertaining perspective to consumers’ pest problems in the 21st Century. Founded in 1938, Truly Nolen of America is one of the largest family owned pest control companies in the United States. Truly Nolen has 69 branch offices in Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Utah. The company also has independently owned and operated franchises in anever-growing number of territories including California, Florida, Texas, New York, Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Arkansas, and Missouri as well as Puerto Rico. For more information, please visit www.trulynolen.com.
