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(BPT) - Spring is when pests come out of hiding and hibernation to search for new places to establish their colonies. Unfortunately, it's not only the flowers in your garden that attract pests but also your home itself. One of the most determined springtime pests is termites. Termites live up to their nickname of the "silent destroyer" very well as they can munch away at your home, virtually undetected. And, it's not just the critical support beams that they feed on. Termites can chew up floors, walls and even wallpaper.

Gainesville Times

Termites live up to their nickname of the "silent destroyer" very well as they can munch away at your home, virtually undetected. And, it's not just the critical support beams that they feed on. Termites can chew up floors, walls and even wallpaper.

According to a study by the National Pest Management Association, termites cost U.S. homeowners approximately $5 billion in damage, which is not typically covered by homeowners insurance.

Early spring is a critical time to be on the lookout for termite infestations. When the ground warms up, swarmers emerge to search for a suitable mate. If a pair chooses your home for their new residence, you could be looking at a colony of millions. The swarmers shed their wings during the mating process, so signs of these wings around windows and doors could be a warning of an infestation. Other signs include soft wood that sounds hollow when tapped, darkening or blistering of wood structures, and cracked or bubbling paint.

As spring approaches, the NPMA shares these prevention strategies homeowners can use to protect their homes from termite damage.

* Keep less frequently used rooms such as basements, attics and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry.

* Repair leaking faucets, water pipes and AC units which are on the outside of the home. The added moisture could attract Dampwood termites that need access to water.

* Repair fascia, soffits and rotted roof shingles. Some species of termites colonize a home through the attic.

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Your home could be attracting termites

Termites are active across Texas, but according to the U.S. Forest Service, East Texas is considered a high to moderate Termite Infestation Probability (TIP) Zone, an area of high risk for termite infestation and destruction. With swarming typically beginning in the spring, BBB is reminding property owners to take proactive measures to prevent costly home repairs which could include damage to non-structural components as well as damage to a structural timbers and posts of a home or building.

A single termite doesnt look dangerous or menacing, said Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas, A whole colony, however, can inflict serious structural damage on a home in a fairly short period of time.

Termites are known as silent destroyers because of their ability to chew undetected through wood, flooring and even wallpaper. They can build nests inside walls and can cause damage for years before it becomes noticeable. As the ground warms, termite populations emerge in search of mates and new structures to invade. If an infestation goes untreated, a home can suffer significant damage.

Each year, termites cause about $5 billion in property damage, according to the National Pest Management Association, a BBB National Partner.

Better Business Bureau offers these tips from NPMA for preventing termites from wreaking havoc on your home. Here are four ways to avoid a termite infestation:

Repair and replace when necessary. Repair leaking faucets, water pipes and AC units on the outside of the home. Repair fascia, soffits and rotted roof shingles. Replace weather stripping and repair loose mortar around basement foundation and windows.

Keep it clear. Make sure the foundation is exposed around the entire home.Store firewood at least twenty feet away from the house and elevate it at least five inches off the ground. Keep mulch at least 15 inches from the foundation and keep levels several inches below the siding and wooden parts of the structure. Keep dead trees, stumps, and roots away from the home. Divert rain water, sprinklers, and irrigation water away from the foundation.

Inspect, inspect, inspect. Routinely inspect the foundation of your home for signs of mud tubes (used by termites to reach a food source), cracked or bubbling paint and wood that sounds hollow when tapped. Monitor all exterior areas of wood, including windows, doorframes and skirting boards for any noticeable changes.

Protect your investment.Not sure if you have termites? Consider a termite inspection from a qualified pest management company. Although NPMA recommends a termite inspection every 1-3 years, only half of homeowners they surveyed indicated they never had their homes inspected.

Keep in mind, techniques and materials used to control an infestation will vary based on the type of termite, the type of home, and the extent of infestation, so its a good idea to find a qualified professional to help with prevention.

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Prevention Key in Avoiding Termite Infestation

Mar 20, 2014 10:10 AM by Press Release

Spring in Acadiana means much for local residents - warmer weather, gardening and the beginning of festival season. On the down side, it is also signals the emergence of one of the most destructive insects in Acadiana - termites.

A colony of the bugs can inflict serious structural damage on a home in a fairly short period of time.

Each year, termites cause about $5 billion in property damage across the U.S., according to the National Pest Management Association, a BBB National Partner.

Termites are known as "silent destroyers" because of their ability to chew undetected through wood, flooring and even wallpaper. As the ground warms, termite populations emerge in search of mates and new structures to invade.

Better Business Bureau offers these tips from NPMA for preventing termites from wreaking havoc on your home. Here are four ways to avoid a termite infestation:

Repair and replace when necessary. Repair leaking faucets, water pipes and AC units on the outside of the home. Repair fascia, soffits and rotted roof shingles. Replace weather stripping and repair loose mortar around basement foundation and windows.

Keep it clear. Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and five inches off the ground. Direct water away from your house through properly functioning downspouts, gutters and splash blocks. Keep mulch at least 15 inches from the foundation.

Routinely inspect the foundation of your home for signs of mud tubes (used by termites to reach a food source), cracked or bubbling paint and wood that sounds hollow when tapped. Monitor all exterior areas of wood, including windows, doorframes and skirting boards for any noticeable changes.

Protect your investment. Not sure if you have termites? Consider a termite inspection from a qualified pest management company. NPMA recommends a termite inspection every 1-3 years, but half of homeowners they surveyed have never had their homes inspected.

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Termites Emerging as Spring Approaches

First Inspection Termite & Pest Management is our professional termite inspection company serving the general public for over 25 years. We want to remind you how important it is to perform regular termite inspections to protect your investment. A simple, low cost termite inspection can truly save you hundreds of dollars in the long run.

First Inspection performs all our termite inspection services professionally, efficiently, and we keep a clean workspace throughout the pest and termite inspection. Our family owned and operated termite inspection company takes pride in performing honest and reliable services. We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and continue to receive rave reviews from local community websites, including Saddlebrook and Sun City.

We provide free inspections on your first consultation, as well as a free written estimate. Give us a call when you are in need of a pest or termite inspection at your home or office building. Our termite inspection services in Tucson, AZ come backed with honesty and integrity, so give First Inspection Termite & Pest Management a call today at 520-818-2238.

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Termites infest more than 5 million United States homes each year, causing more than $5 billion in home damagesmore damage than earthquakes, tornadoes and fires combined. The Washington, DC region is heavily infested with termites, according to the U.S. Department of Forestry.

Termites work twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week devouring cellulous material found in wood, paper, drywall, and other materials in your home to provide for their colonies. And once termites find a good spot, they share their location with other termites using a sophisticated pheromone communication system.

Termites are usually active in hidden areas behind wall coverings, in crawl spaces, under foundations, and in still plates, making termite damage hard to detect. Common signs of termite infestation include:

The best way to prevent costly termite damage is through frequent monitoring and termite and pest control treatment by trained pest management professionals. Protect your property against termites in every season with our year-round Protection Plus plan, which includes a free annual interior and exterior termite inspection, and covers 31 other pests including ants, spiders, roaches, bees and rodents.

We offer the highly effective and environmentally responsible Altriset, Termidor and Sentricon termite treatments. These products are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), meeting the strict requirements of the Reduced Risk Pesticide Initiative. Altriset and Sentricon have also won the EPA's Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award.

Every Connors technician is a Certified Sentricon Specialist, which means we are rated by the Dow Chemical Company as some of the best industry experts. We apply Sentricon by placing specially-designed containers in the ground in inconspicuous locations around your home or business. Once installed, Sentricon begins to work immediately. The exact amount of time required to eliminate an existing termite problem will vary, but you are protected from new or recurrent attacks as soon as the bait is installed. Sentricon has been tested and proven effective by 30 independent universities and the US Department of Agriculture.

Our certified technicians will recommend the best termite treatment option for you, and provide follow-up monitoring to ensure success.

Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) or an affiliated company of Dow. Always read and follow label directions.

Altriset, an innovative and environmentally responsible termiticide made by Dupont, is a liquid treatment that works by paralyzing the mouths of termites. As termites walk through and ingest Altriset, they carry it back to their nest. Altriset increases social behavior in termites, who then share it with other termites through grooming and other interaction. Feeding on your property is reduced within hours, and the entire termite colony can be eliminated in three months or less. Altriset mimics organic termite repellants that occur naturally in some tree and shrub bark. It does not interfere with beneficial species, like honey bees or earthworms.

Termidor is a highly effective liquid termite treatment that is applied in the ground around affected buildings. Termidor is undetectable and unavoidable - to termites. Termites contact, ingest and share Termidor with their nest mates, successfully eliminating your termite problem. Termidor is virtually odorless, and most applications go unnoticed.

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Termite Control and Inspection | Connor's Termite & Pest ...

Memphis, Tenn. (PRWEB) March 05, 2014

AmeriSpec honored two of the home inspection companys top-producing franchise operations both of which are owned and managed by women at the companys annual convention recently in Austin, Texas.

AmeriSpec of Atlanta owner Valerie Ogle took top honors in multiple categories, earning recognition for the greatest annual sales growth in 2013 versus 2012, highest overall revenue and for surpassing $1 million in revenue. Ogle started her business in 2007 and has provided more than 10,000 home inspections in the Atlanta area.

Also earning recognition were Cheryl Myers and Lisa Roddis of AmeriSpec of Delaware, who also surpassed $1 million in revenue. Kathy Thiessen, vice president and general manager of AmeriSpec, said the success of both the Atlanta and Delaware operations is evidence of the opportunities available to women in todays home inspection business, a primarily male dominated industry.

Its an honor to present these hardworking and innovative women with such well-deserved recognition in front of their peers at our annual convention, said Thiessen. Their success as business owners reflects their commitment to providing the highest-quality home inspections, customer service and attention to detail. A home can be someones largest investment and our inspectors help ensure their investment is sound.

Ogle said that years of consistent effort building her business, as well as improvement in the Atlanta real estate market, were both important factors in her success last year.

Atlanta is a great market and we are blessed with a terrific group of inspectors and customer service representatives, Ogle said. Our success in 2013 was actually the result of several years of building our team and expanding our presence in the market. It has been a team effort; the people who work in our company are all excellent professionals.

Myers and Roddis acquired the Delaware AmeriSpec franchise in 1995 and have steadily grown their client base and revenues ever since, recording double-digit growth each of the last three years as the housing market has picked up in the area. Based in Milford, Del., their team of six home inspectors serves the entire state of Delaware, as well as the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

Myers, whose father was a real estate broker, said the key to growth has been focusing on the fundamentals. Its all about building relationships with the agents, doing a good job with the inspections, and good customer service, she said.

All AmeriSpec inspectors are trained and certified to meet the highest industry standards. The company is also dedicated to continuing education for its franchise owners, providing ongoing technical training classes focusing on inspection innovations and industry best-practices. AmeriSpec inspects more than 400 items around the home, including:

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Women-Owned Businesses Take Top Honors at AmeriSpec in 2013

This is the Best-Dressed from our 80's Walk. Left to Right is: Leah Terrell, Kayla Bigham and Lisa Salmans

The great thing about our program is that every dollar raised from Walk for Kids Sake stays in our local communities. The money raised by our teams, walkers and corporate donors go to support our volunteers and our local children, said Melissa Carroll, local satellite manager. The walkers that turn out year after year and donors that donate each year make our program possible.

The money raised by teams was over 35% of our total! Carroll said. This year we challenged our local school campuses in Perryton, Spearman and Gruver to compete for the BIG-est Team and The Most Money raised team. Carroll goes on to say, Perryton Jr. High Circle of Friends team led by Angelica Rascon had 25 team members and raised $1377.00. This team wins both.

This year, we had several large teams and decided they should also be recognized. These team captains also worked very hard to build a great team and raise money for BBBS. They were: Debbie George, Laura Hernandez, Katie Krienke, Rhonda Merrick, Kim Swink and Starla Whiteley.

The top three individual money raisers won grand prizes. Parker Swinney was the top money raiser ($935); he won a $150 gift certificate to Scarlet Door Spa. Francis Aston raised the second largest amount ($575) and won a Yeti cooler. The third highest total was raised by Annette Dorman ($500); she won a Keurig Signature Brewer.

Walkers who raised at least $100 won a Big Brothers Big Sisters Acrylic Tumbler filled with lots of goodies including a gift card or gift certificate from a local business. They were: Sheila Barnes, Valerie Bartosiewicz, Pat Bilson, Cheryl Bullard, Dena Cator, Obed Chairez, Maegan Chisum, Kiki Connelly, Amanda Cowan, Chris Cowan, Janet Cummings, Lynn Crain, Carol Hayden, Jaci Hayden, Randie Hill, Charley Hoover, Sara Hoover, Kimberly Irwin, Barbara Johnson, Michael Lemke, Stephanie Lemke, Donna Mann, Chloe McGarraugh, Cole McGarraugh, Nick Olvera, Cyndi Pearson, Nerissa Rigdon, Lisa Salmons, Reola Smith, Joel Thompson, Shawn Thompson, Rita Tregellas, Elizabeth Turner, Allison Vyoral, Vance Vyoral, Lorrinda Watson, Kristi Williams and Denise Wilmeth.

Walkers who raised at least $200 won the cup and also a $20 gift certificate to their choice from Charlottes, Expressions, or Taylors Old Time Shoppe. They were: Frances Aston, Mason Barnett, Kathy Childress, Pam Chisum, Annette Dorman, Katie Krienke, Tiffany Merkel, Janice Pinkard, Darla Rhoden, Frank Rhoden, Mandy Schilling, Ashley Skipper, Parker Sweeney and Malissa Thomas.

Corporate sponsors made up the other 65% of our Walk, and we wouldnt have a Walk for Kids Sake without their support!

Corporate Sponsors donating $1000+ were: Badger, M&R Package Store and Tregellas Family Farms.

Sponsoring $500 were: Adobe Walls Gin, Bort Agency, Brandvik Pipe and Equipment, CJs Pizza, Connelly Farms, Courson Gas Consultants, Equity Exchange, First National Bank, First State Bank, FirstBank Southwest, Five Star Equipment, Graves Operating, Paula & Kevin McGarraugh, Lemon, Shearer, Phillips & Good, PC, Moore County Gin, Natural Gas Anadarko Perryton National Bank, Perryton Office Supply/Radio Shack, Phil Dollar Oilfield Service, Snider Motorsports, Terhune Flying Services, Texas Farm, The Pit Stop, United Supermarkets, Western Hot Oil, and Xcel Energy.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters Walk for Kids' Sake 2014

Five good reasons to choose Home Pest Control Services

Our pest control treatment and inspection services are completed to your satisfaction. We guarantee it. We involve you in the process and answer any questions you may have. Our goal is to exceed your expectations. We know that each situation is different. Thats why our pest control inspectors and exterminators assess the problem and then meet with you to discuss what needs to be done. There are no surprises later on. We give you the facts up front and customize a treatment program that works for you and your pocketbook.

Responsiveness Our pest control treatment and inspection services are at your convenience. You let us know when you want us and we are there on schedule.

CommitmentOur Quality Control Program is unparalleled in the industry. We make sure the service is done right and we have the process and people in place to guarantee it.

Performance HOME Pest Control offers homeowners and businesses a full complement of pest control inspection and treatment service options, termite treatment programs (with non-confusing termite warranty options and no deductibles on damage claims), as well as repair and moisture control services. Also, we only use environmentally sensitive and EPA- registered products for all pest control solutions.

ExperienceOur pest control inspection team, technicians/exterminators are trained, certified and knowledgeable in all facets of pest and termite control. Our technicians are registered with the South Carolina Pest Control Association and our inspectors are certified by the State of South Carolina and Department of Pesticide Regulation. In addition, our continuing education program insures you are getting well-informed, highly skilled professionals trained in the latest pest control treatment technology and procedures.

ReliabilityHome Pest Control is a leader in the pest control industry. Locally owned and operated, we have been serving South Carolina homeowners, businesses and residential builders since 1962. We stand behind their pest control services with The No-Pest Promise.

When you select HOME Pest Control ServicesThe NO Pest Promise is our commitment to you!

Our technicians, exterminators and pest control inspection team complete a rigorous educational program and intense pest control training prior to serving our customers. All of our technicians must pass a strict pre-employment screening process. Its part of our pledge to give you access to the best technicians in the Carolinas.

Our certifications include:

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Pest Control Inspection Pest Elimination Charleston SC ...

Termite Inspection & Control WE PROVIDE A FIVE-YEAR WARANTEE ON TERMITE CONTROL! Termites eat wood, and can consequently cause great structural damage to your home if left unchecked. A typical homeowner's insurance policy does not cover destruction caused by termites, even though they cause over 1 billion dollars in damage to homes throughout the United States each year. Our inspection and treatment program can help you understand the threat of termites, and take the necessary steps to protect your home.

Termite Inspection You cant assume your home is termite-free just because youve never seen them they only swarm once or twice a year, and you might miss it! We thoroughly inspect your home or business, looking for the tell-tale signs of termite infestation. Some of the things we look for are:

Is it a termite or an ant? On the off chance you do see them, remember that its easy to confuse termites with ants. Fortunately, there are features that distinguish them.

Ants

Termites

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Gordon Termite Control - Termite Inspection & Control

There are more than 40 species of termites in the U.S. Because different species require different control methods, it is very important that your pest control expert correctly identify the termites before treating an infestation.

Subterranean, drywood and dampwood termites prefer different types of wood, moisture levels and temperatures. Each species also builds nests in locations that provide the right conditions above-ground or underground. Subterranean termites build their nests in the soil, while Formosan termites (a species of subterranean termite) can build their nests in the soil or inside walls. Drywood termites and dampwood termites build their nests in the wood they consume.

How to Tell Termites Apart

Across most species of termites, worker and nymph termites look very similar. They are small and have soft, pale-colored bodies that look like the larval stage of other insects.

Therefore, experts typically rely on termite soldiers and winged reproductives to identify species. Soldiers can be distinguished by variations in color, size and head shape. Some soldiers also have a nasutus, a long tubular snout from which they can expel a sticky, glue-like substance that helps fend off predators.

Experts can identify the species of winged alates based on variations in size, body color, wing color and wing veins.

Identify Termites By Damage to Wood

Subterranean and drywood termites leave different patterns in the wood they damage. These patterns can help experts identify the termite species that have infested a home.

Subterranean termites prefer softer springwood, which is digested more easily. Springwood can be found along the grain, which means that wood damaged by subterranean termites often looks like a honeycomb.

Drywood termites eat across and with the grain, damaging both the softer springwood and the harder summerwood. They excavate large rooms (called galleries) in the wood and connect them via tunnels.

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Termites: Control, Inspection, Detection & Termite ...