Category Archives: Termite Control

Are Flying Ants as Bad as Termites?

For many homeowners, having termites in the house is just about as bad as it can get because of how much damage they can cause. But how bad is it to have flying ants around your home, and what kind of damage can these insects cause?

This article compares flying ants vs. termites and how to handle a flying ant situation when one occurs.

Similarities Between Flying Ants vs. Termites

Both flying ants and termites are insects that fly and swarm, which makes many people mistake one species for the other. They also have similar sizes, shapes, and colors – at least to the untrained eye of someone who is not a pest control professional.

Also, both of these insects live in large colonies and operate within caste systems. Neither termites or flying ants are known to typically bite humans.

Differences Between Flying Ants vs. Termites

Yet when you take a closer look, there are a lot of variations between a winged ant and a termite. The body of a termite has a straight abdomen, while a flying ant has a thinner, pinched waist. Termites have equal length wings, while flying ants have wings of unequal length. The antennae of a termite are straight, while a flying ant’s antennae are bent.

The best way to tell which type of insect you are dealing with is to get a good up-close look at it, which is why pest control diagnoses are best left to an experienced professional.

Although both insects can live in wood, termites cause structural damage while ants usually do not. Flying ants are less likely to cause actual damage to your home but they can certainly be a nuisance. Termites eat plant matter, while flying ants eat both plants and other insects. The life cycles of these two insects differ as well because termites go through three phases and ants go through four stages of life.

Get Help to Control Winged Ants

Whether you have termites or flying ants around your home, chances are that you just want them gone as quickly and safely as possible.

We have been in this business for over 30 years and know all the best strategies for keeping Northern New Jersey homes pest-free. If you suspect that you have termites or winged ants around your home, contact us today at 866-971-2847 for a free inspection.

The Termites of New Jersey

There are many different termite species that exist around the world, but fortunately only certain termites are a cause of concern in our state. So that you are familiar with how to spot them and the forms of damage they cause to a home, here’s an overview of the types of termites in New Jersey.

Eastern Subterranean Termites

The prevailing type of termite in New Jersey is the Eastern Subterranean Termite, which is also the most common termite found in North America. These termites are about the size of a grain of rice and have long and narrow bodies that measure between 1/8 inch and 1/4-inch long.

As their name suggests, these termites live underground their whole lives. They are also blind, wingless, and live in large colonies. There are specific castes that these termites belong to, which determines their lifespan. Most of them live a couple years, but the king and queen termites can live for decades.

New Jersey termites cause property damage in homes that ranges from chewing through support beams and ceiling joists to gnawing through furniture and feasting upon metal siding and insulation. All of these things affect the structural integrity of your house and can result in costly repairs. With these termites, it’s common to see buckling and swollen wood on your floors due to termite tunnels underneath them.

Other Types of Termites

There are a couple other types of termites that exist in the U.S., but fortunately we don’t usually have to deal with them here in New Jersey. The drywood termites mostly live in the southernmost parts of the U.S., while dampwood termites thrive in heavily forested areas. These types of termites are not native to New Jersey; however, dampwood termites can travel to our area from other places while being transported in furniture or other wooden objects

Get Help with your New Jersey Termites

Termites are a serious problem in New Jersey and need to be addressed by a professional exterminator at the earliest signs of activity and damage. Precise Termite & Pest Control offers free inspections and prompt and affordable pest control solutions to help you protect your home and sleep better at night knowing you aren’t living with an infestation.

We have over three decades of experience with Eastern Subterranean Termites and many other pests in New Jersey, and we are offering a 10% discount on new annual contracts. Please give us a call at 866-971-2847 if you are concerned about termites and we will be happy to help you get the situation under control and prevent them from coming back.

When Do Termites Swarm and How to Prepare for Swarming Season

It’s bad enough to have termites around your home and property, but it can be even more unsettling when termites begin to swarm. This article will explore why termites swarm and how you can be prepared and control a termite swarming situation.

Why Do Termites Swarm?

When a colony of termites reaches its capacity and needs to expand, swarming is likely to occur. This is usually an annual occurrence that involves hundreds or thousands of termites trying to reproduce and grow their colony. The biggest swarming activity typically takes place over the course of a day and then is followed by subsequent days of less activity.

When Do Termites Swarm?

Subterranean termites usually swarm in the spring, dampwood termites in the summer, and drywood termites in the late summer and early fall. This is why it’s a good idea to consult a termite specialist to help you identify termites and understand the types of termites that are most common in your area. During all of these seasons, termite swarms are more likely after it rains and when it is humid, overcast, and not windy.

Damage Caused by Swarming Termites

Swarming termites tend to build nests near the surface of the soil and live there until the conditions are optimal for reproduction and becoming airborne. While it is never a good time of year to have termites in your home, the swarming season is actually not an overly destructive time for them to be around. This is because termites have one main goal during a swarm: to reproduce and grow their colony. Many of these termites will not survive very long and do not even have the ability to bite yet to destroy wood structures of your home.

Termite Swarm Preparation Tips

Whether it’s swarming season or not, there are certain things you can do to deter termites from nesting around your house. The best thing to do is keep wood and paper far from your house, including firewood, spare lumber, and newspaper. Also, don’t put plants too close to the foundation of your home because termites love moist soil. Other ways to reduce moisture and your risks for a termite swarm are to fix leaky faucets right away, point yard sprinklers away from your home, and clean out gutters and downspouts so they are working properly.

How to Get Rid of Swarming Termites

To control and eradicate termite swarms, professional exterminators use liquid treatments that create a barrier to prevent termites from moving from soil to buildings. Exterminators also use baits for termites that are placed below the surface of the soil.

Since these applications are quite challenging for DIY enthusiasts during swarming season, we recommend contacting Precise Termite & Pest Control to take care of the extermination quickly and effectively. We have been keeping Bergen and Passaic counties termite-free for over 30 years and know the best ways to prevent and eliminate swarming insects from your property.

Do Termites Bite or Pose Other Dangers to Humans?

Termites outnumber humans at a ten-to-one ratio and affect homeowners all around the world. Yet people still have many questions about these troublesome pests, such as “Do termites bite?” and “Are termites dangerous?”

In this article, we’ll answer these common questions about termites and also address the most effective ways to prevent and eliminate them from your property.

Do Termites Bite?

Although termites are notorious for biting through wood, they very rarely ever bite humans. Certain types of termites, such as soldier termites, are able to bite, but even these termites have very small jaws and wouldn’t likely leave a mark on your skin. But to avoid potential bites, never touch termites with your bare hands. However, termites are known to bite other insects in addition to wood.

Are Termites Dangerous to Humans?

Termites are not a direct threat to humans because unlike some pests, they do not commonly transmit diseases, bite, or sting. However, it is still very concerning to have termites on your property because of the damage they cause.

Termites cause a unique type of damage compared to carpenter ants because they consume wood and leave behind destroyed floors, walls, and ceilings. With weakened wood, homes are more susceptible to collapsing and potentially harming humans in this way.

How to Prevent Termites

To reduce your home’s chances of attracting termites, create a barrier to stand between the wood around your foundation and soil on the ground. Only concrete should touch the soil, if possible. Ensure that plants aren’t growing too close to your foundation, and also make sure that storm drains empty out away from the foundation and not right next to it.

Termites love damp areas, so you can also help prevent them by fixing leaks in outside faucets that are attached to the house. It’s also a smart idea to schedule a yearly termite inspection with your local pest control company to make sure that termites aren’t hiding where you can’t see them.

Other Things to Know About Termites

There are different types of termites, and each one affects your home in a unique way. For example, subterranean termites live in colonies ad leave dark-colored blisters in wood flooring. Drywood termites often damage walls, poles, and furniture in a home. Dampwood termites love moist environments, as their name suggests. Meanwhile, Formosan termites target structural components of homes and are often found when doing renovations.

How to Get Rid of Termites

No matter what type of termites you have and even though they don’t pose direct risks to human health, it is important to rid your home of termites at the first signs of these pests. Your best bet in New Jersey is to call Precise Termite & Pest Control for a free inspection as soon as you notice damage in wooden structures.

Call us today at 866-972-2847 for our professional extermination services and prevention assistance to keep them away from your home for good.

What Do Termites Look Like and How to Identify Termite Damage

Here in New Jersey, we have many types of insects that find their way into our backyards and homes. However, one of the most destructive insects is the termite, which is our professional specialty at Precise Termite & Pest Control.

Here’s what termites look like and how to get help when you suspect a termite problem.

Understanding What Termites Look Like

There are actually dozens of different types of termite species, but they all have similarities in their appearance. Termites are usually between a quarter-inch and a half-inch long in size. They have straight antennae, white or light brown coloring, and soft bodies. Termites have a straight waist and vary in appearance based on if they are in the role of soldier, worker, or swarmer.

Other Bugs That Look Like Termites

Ants are commonly mistaken for termites because of their size, especially carpenter ants, flying ants, and fire ants. However, ants have bent antennae, pinched waists, and wings of different lengths. These are all characteristics that set them apart from termites. With regard to noticeable damage caused, homeowners may believe they have a termite problem when the insects are really powderpost beetles or carpenter bees.

Property Damage Caused by Termites

Termites are very destructive pest insects that chew through the wood of your home, including support beams and ceiling joists. When they get inside your home, they can chew through favorite pieces of furniture that you love. Termite damage also goes beyond just wood because these insects feast upon insulation, metal siding, and other parts of your home that ensure its structural integrity.

Identifying Termite Damage

Termite damage often looks like water damage because it causes swollen floors and buckling wood. You may notice cracks due to termite tunnels under the surface or mud tubes that look like clumpy lines in the soil. If you notice strange damage around your home and aren’t sure what caused it, it’s always best to call in a professional to take a look for you and best assess the situation.

Local Help with Your Termite Problem

At Precise Termite & Pest Control, we know what it takes to tackle a termite problem because we’ve been keeping Northern New Jersey pest-free for over three decades. By the time you notice damage, a termite infestation is often more widespread than you think, so it’s important to do a full inspection of your home to address all problem areas.

If think termites could be to blame for damage you’ve noticed around the house, don’t wait another day to call us at 866-971-2847 or contact us online. We are proud to serve Bergen and Passaic counties with fast responses, emergency treatments, simple call-backs, and preventative advice to keep your home free of pests.

What Does Termite Damage Look Like & How to Know If You have Termites

Perhaps you have noticed some structural damage around your home but aren’t sure what’s causing it. It could be due to a water leak, pests, rodents, or insects, but you’re not a pest control expert, so how should you be expected to diagnose the problem?

Here is some information about what termite damage looks like what to do if you suspect that termites are causing structural changes in your home.

Different Types of Termites

There are actually dozens of species of termites that exist around the country, but for non-pest control professionals, the distinction can be narrowed down into four categories. For example, subterranean termites live in soil, build large nests, and cause most of the termite damage in New Jersey.

There are also drywood termites that are less of a problem in homes because they prefer to live in even moister wood conditions in the outdoors. Meanwhile, drywood termites love hardwood floors and dead trees because they don’t need soil to thrive. Their damage can be severe but often happens slower than with a subterranean termite infestation. Formosan termites are very destructive and often inhabit live trees and boats, but they are less common in New Jersey than in other parts of the U.S.

Damage Termites Cause

The damage that termites cause is much more than just cosmetic. Termites eat the structure of your home, moving from wall studs to support beams, ceiling joists, and even furniture. Termites may also feast upon metal siding and insulation, causing even further damage to more than just the wood.

What Does Termite Damage Look Like?

Subterranean termites cause damage that looks like water damage, such as swollen floors and buckling wood. With drywood termites, you may not notice the damage until it becomes so bad that cracks appear and the termite tunnels underneath the surface become visible. Termite damage can also look like mud tubes that appear as veins or clumpy lines.

If you see an insect in your home and aren’t sure what it is, inspect it as closely as you feel comfortable with. Termites’ appearance differs from ants and other insects in that they often have pale yellow-colored bodies, straight antennae, two sets of same-sized wings, and no noticeable waistline along their bodies.

Who to Call for your New Jersey Termite Control Needs

The professional exterminators at Precise Termite and Pest Control are your local experts in all things termites, and we know what it takes to keep New Jersey households termite-free all throughout the year. Termites can cause thousands of dollars of damage in a home, so it is in your best interest to keep an eye out for termite damage or call a professional for help if you’re not sure what you’re looking for.

Contact us today at 866-971-2847 for a free termite inspection and to learn more about the early warning signs of termite damage.

Termite Poop: The Dangers, What It Looks Like, and What to do About It

Pests can be difficult to see and track with the naked eye, but they often leave droppings behind that make their presence very obvious in a home. One such pest is the termite, an insect that eats wood and is known to destroy walls and furniture. But the droppings that termites leave behind can put your health at risk if not properly controlled by a professional.

Here is some information about termite poop and answers to common questions like “Is termite poop dangerous?”

What Does Termite Poop Look Like?

Although the droppings of a termite can vary from one species to the next, it is most commonly oval-shaped, has concave sides, and rounded ends. It may look like tiny pellets of salt and pepper, but overall, it is typically the color of the wood. It is best to have a professional exterminator help you identify what the droppings are to correctly diagnose the problem and then pursue the best solution for that type of pest.

Is Termite Poop Dangerous?

To answer the question is termite poop dangerous, research shows that termite poop is not necessarily toxic to humans. However, there are still health risks of exposure to termite poop, including skin irritations, allergic reactions, and asthma attacks. Unlike some pests, such as rats and mice, termite poop is not associated with a great risk of spreading communicable diseases. But it could make you feel sick if the termite poop enters food or water sources in your home.

Why Is Termite Poop Harmful?

In addition to these potential health risks, termite poop is harmful because it is a telltale sign that costly property damage is on the horizon. Termites are sneaky pests that often go unnoticed, but you can be more proactive about termite removal if you take action as soon as you notice termite poop.

Termite poop on a bed often means there is a termite infestation in the ceiling or roof. Termite poop on a window sill commonly means there are nests and mud tunnels nearby. If you see termite poop on the carpet or floor of your home, termites likely live in or under the floor, causing an effect that may resemble water damage.

What to Do If You Discover Termite Poop

At Precise Pest Control, we offer full-service termite inspections and removal in homes and businesses throughout northern New Jersey. Termites are our top specialty, and by calling us at the first signs of termite poop, you can save yourself thousands of dollars of property damage and reduce your risk of health problems. We look forward to helping you identify and solve termite problems in your home so that you can rest easy and save money in the long-run.

What Causes Termites and How to Spot Them in Your Home

Wooden doorway with termite damage

Termites are known as wood-eating insects that cause homeowners up to $5 billion in damage every year, according to the National Pest Management Association. But exactly what causes termites, where do they come from, and what do termites look like?

In this article, we’ll answer all of those questions so that you can identify a termite problem early on and call in the professionals for help right away to avoid substantial home damage.

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The Life Cycle of Termites and Why Spring Is the Season to Take Action

The life cycle of a termite starts in the early spring season

Wanting to learn more about the pests that invade our homes and cause costly damage doesn’t always come naturally to homeowners. However, it is very useful to gain an understanding of how termites live and breed in order to choose appropriate termite extermination methods.

Here we’ll describe the basic life cycle of a termite and why spring the best time of the year is to pursue treatment options and combat infestations.

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How to Spot Termite Damage

Termites compromise the strength and safety of your home, and unfortunately, they often go undetected for many months or even years. Termites are silent but deadly attackers that cause extensive damage and can even make your home unlivable for a significant amount of time.

To prevent extensive damage in your home, it’s important learn about the early warning signs and call a professional exterminator right away to control the situation.

Types of Termite Damage

There are many different types of termites that affect homes in our area, and each one causes distinct damage to wooden structures on your property.

For example, subterranean termites live underground in loose, damp soil and are the most common type of white ant that attacks American homes. The damage that these termites cause can resemble water damage, such as swollen or bucked floors or ceilings. You might also smell scents of mold and mildew. Subterranean termites prefer soft wood and tend to eat wood along the grain.

Another common type of damage is caused by drywood termites, which build colonies inside wooden structures in homes. These types of termites build tunnels inside walls and even furniture, so you may see cracks appear where drywood termites have taken over. Drywood termites like to eat large sections of wood and chew along and against the grain of your wood. It is very difficult to control these types of inner-wall infestations yourself, so call a professional exterminator as soon as you notice unexpected cracks in your home.

Although structural damage is the most common type of termite destruction, these invasive pests eat their way through many other important materials as well. In addition to the structural wood that your home is built with, these are some of the other household materials and areas that termites frequently cause damage to:

Siding
Plaster
Metal
Floors
Ceilings
Furniture

What to Look for in Your Home

Although termites affect homes in different ways, there are a few tell-tale signs that you should remember for future reference. Termites cause at least $5 billion in damage to American homes annually, and it’s better to be safe than sorry so that your family doesn’t end up being part of that statistic.

These are some of the most common signs of termite damage to look for:

Weak or missing parts of wood structures
Termite wings near closed windows and doors
Mud tubes where your house touches the ground
Fecal pellets outside of termite tunnels
Wood that sounds holly when you tap on it
Buckling paint and tiny holes in wood
The presence of live termites in your home

Bergen & Passiac County Termite Control

Spotting termites can be very difficult, especially if you haven’t dealt with an infestation before and aren’t sure what to look for. Always call a professional service you trust before trying to control a termite situation yourself. In Northern New Jersey, you can trust the experts at Precise Pest Control because we have over 25 years of experience in the pest control industry and a reputation that lives up to our name.

We specialize in all types of white ant removal, so call us today for prompt and thorough extermination to get the results that you need to ensure the safety of your family, tenants and property.

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