Category Archives: Termite Control

Why Termite Inspections Are Crucial for Homeowners

Close-up of severe termite damage on a wooden beam during a home termite inspection in New Jersey.

Is a Termite Inspection Worth It as a Homeowner?

As a homeowner, you face many common expenses beyond your mortgage payments, HOA fees, property taxes, and utilities. To prevent costly issues and take the best care of your home, it’s also important to keep up with critical maintenance and inspections.

Some New Jersey residents wonder, “Should I get a termite inspection when buying a home?” and also, “When else is a termite inspection worth it?”

The extermination experts at Precise Termite & Pest Control answer these questions to help you plan ahead with preventative home maintenance at any stage of life.

Why Should I Get Termite Inspections?

Termites are stealthy insects that often remain out of sight until they damage a house significantly. By the time you notice the hollowed wood or mud tubes they create, the damage could be so severe that it results in thousands of dollars in essential repairs.

Many homeowners’ policies don’t cover termite damage, which means you might be on the hook for paying for repairs if you don’t keep up with home termite inspections.

Should I Get a Termite Inspection When Buying a Home?

Yes, it is definitely a wise idea to get a termite inspection before buying a home. Most real estate transactions require home termite inspections to ensure a property is free of pests before someone new moves in.

Since buying a home is one of the most significant investments you’ll ever make, it’s crucial to pay attention to the details, such as termite inspections. If your inspection reveals termite damage or an infestation, you may be able to negotiate a better price or request the seller to pay for repairs and treatment.

Other Important Times to Get Home Termite Inspections

Aside from when you’re buying a home, termite inspections are recommended in other circumstances, too. We recommend getting a termite inspection once a year as part of your home maintenance routine.

It’s also a good idea to get termite inspections after heavy rains, flooding, and plumbing leaks since excessive moisture attracts termites. Additionally, consider getting termite inspections after renovating or doing construction on your home, and also any time you notice signs of termite damage.

Where to Get Termite Inspections in Bergen County, NJ

Precise Termite & Pest Control specializes in the types of termites that impact New Jersey homes. We work in Bergen, Passaic, Morris, Essex, and Sussex counties to keep homes termite-free so you can rest easy with peace of mind.

Please contact us online or call us at 866-971-2847 for free termite inspections, and we’ll get your appointment scheduled right away

Termite Swarming Season in New Jersey and How to Prepare for It

Winged termites, also known as swarmers or alates, gathered on the ground during termite swarming season in New Jersey—a key warning sign of a nearby infestation.

Understanding Termite Swarming Season

It’s certainly disturbing to know that termites are eating away at your home and causing structural damage that will cost you money and perhaps put your health at risk. But even more unsettling is the phenomenon of termite swarming, marked by a flurry of insect activity and a sign that termite colonies are growing.

In this article, the extermination experts at Precise Termite & Pest Control explain when termite swarming season begins in New Jersey and how to prepare and prevent termites during this time of year.

What Is Termite Swarming?

Termite swarming is a reproductive event in which mature colonies release females to mate and establish new colonies. The swarm typically happens once a year as the colony prepares to reproduce and expand.

Termite swarming is concerning because it is a significant warning sign that a major infestation could occur soon. By understanding the termite swarming season and termite behaviors during this time, you can take preventative action to protect your home, finances, and family.

Termite swarm activity primarily takes place over just a single day, but you may notice subsequent days of slightly more termite activity than normal.

When Is Termite Swarming Season in New Jersey?

The termite swarming season begins in the early spring in New Jersey. The swarms can occur anytime between late February and early June. However, the peak time for termite swarming in our area is from mid-April through mid-May.

This is the prime time for the termite swarming season because temperatures are warming up and humidity levels are increasing. These favorable conditions are ideal for termite reproduction and the birth of new termite babies. Termite swarms are also most likely after heavy rains and when the weather is overcast, humid, and not too windy.

However, it is important to note that termite swarming seasons vary based on the termite species involved. Subterranean termites prefer the spring for swarming. However, dampwood and drywood termites may delay the swarming season until the summer. For this reason, it is beneficial to consult a termite professional to help you identify the type of termite you’re dealing with and target the termite swarming season in the most efficient way.

How to Prevent Termite Swarming

To prepare for the termite swarming season, you can keep firewood, lumber, newspaper, and other similar materials far from your house. Avoid placing plants too close to your home’s foundation to prevent termites from being attracted to the moist soil.

You can also prevent moisture-induced termite swarming by fixing leaky faucets, pointing yard sprinklers away from your home, and cleaning water and debris from gutters and downspouts.

Another termite swarming prevention tip is replacing shingles and weather stripping around doors and windows. This protection will prevent leaks and drips in your house. It is also smart to inspect your home regularly for signs of termite damage.

Get Professional Help for Termite Swarming Season

The good news about termite swarming is that this is not necessarily the most damaging time of the year. Termites aren’t overly destructive during the termite swarming season because they focus more on reproduction.

However, if you don’t address termite swarming at the first signs of activity, you could face many more termites than you’ve ever had before once those baby insects hatch.

Fortunately, Precise Termite & Pest Control offers residential services during termite swarming season and throughout the year. We know the most effective ways to identify termite damage and detect swarming activity to address the problem before it becomes a full-blown infestation.

Please contact us today for your free inspection or to learn more about our emergency services and the benefits of having us come out annually to check on your home’s termite situation.

What Do Termites Eat?

Termites are insects that cause billions of dollars in property damage in the U.S. every year because of how much they love eating the wooden structures of homes. However, a termite’s diet might actually surprise you because of how varied and diverse it is.

From the pest control specialists at Precise Termite & Pest Control, here is our answer to “What do termites eat?” so that you can be an informed homeowner who is ready to handle any insect that comes your way.

Do Termites Only Eat Wood?

If you ask almost anyone what termites eat, the instant response you’ll probably get is wood. However, termites do not only eat wood, as they have a varied diet that helps them thrive in many different environments around the world.

Termites are resilient insects that can eat almost anything. They commonly eat dying plants, roots, fungi, and grasses. They also eat mulch, sugarcane, and cotton. Certain types of trees are especially attractive to termites, including pine trees, oak trees, palm trees, and ash trees. Materials that you have lying around your yard may attract termites to feed as well, such as cardboard, fabric, carpet, insulation, and pet feces.

How Do Termites Digest Cellulose?

For termites to be able to eat wood, it is necessary for the insects to digest cellulose, which is no easy task. To break down the wood in a termite’s diet, the insects have beneficial bacteria and protozoa in their stomachs. The digestive enzymes from these organisms naturally break down cellulose to help termites digest wood and get nutrition from it in the form of sugar.

To aid the digestion process, termites will often eat decaying wood because it is easier to digest than fresh wood. Baby termites develop these stomach organisms later as they grow and develop, so worker termites must pass along sugar from their own cellulose processing through mouth-to-mouth feeding.

How Do Termites Get Energy?

Worker termites are tasked with feeding and grooming other termites in a colony, and they are the ones that forage for food to share with their companions. When a termite finds a food source, it will leave a trail behind and go back to the colony to get more help to feed everyone else. A termite’s energy comes from its unique gut bacteria that allows the insect to break down cellulose and fuel its usable energy.

Understanding Termites’ Diet and Why It’s Important

A termite’s diet is crucial to its survival and serves as a guide for its habits and activities. You can reduce your risk of attracting termites by limiting potential food sources for this insect and keeping your property clean and tidy. Any decaying wood or debris materials should be promptly removed from your property so that they don’t attract termites. However, some termite food sources cannot be avoided, especially since these resourceful insects are known to infest roof shingles, utility poles, decks, fence posts, and other outdoor structures.

At the first sign of potential termite activity, call Precise Termite & Pest Control for a free inspection. We specialize in this type of extermination and offer fast and reliable service that is always affordable

Don’t let termites eat away at your precious home and yard. Contact us at 866-971-2847 for help and advice!

How Threatening Is a Termite Infestation in Your Home?

If you have noticed termite damage around your house lately, you might be wondering just how big of a deal that really is and if it’s absolutely essential that you take action right away. After all, termites are just small insects and so common here in New Jersey, right?

Unfortunately, a termite infestation is a very serious matter and something that really requires prompt attention. Here is an explanation of why an active termite infestation is so problematic and what you can do to resolve the issue.

Home Damage Caused by Termites

Termites are incredibly destructive insects that survive by chewing through the wood of your home. They create significant structural damage by chewing through support beams and ceiling joints. Beyond just wood, termites will also chew through metal siding, insulation, and other materials that keep your house safe and inhabitable. Once the insects get inside your home, they will even chew through furniture that you love and have spent hard-earned money to decorate your home with.

Health Issues Termites Can Cause

Unlike many other pests, such as rodents, termites are not known to carry diseases that can be passed on to humans. However, your health could still be at risk if you have termites on your property.

It is possible to be bitten or stung by a termite, and although these injuries are not toxic, they can be painful and cause irritation for a couple days. Some people have allergies to termite saliva and droppings, and you just don’t know if such allergens affect you until you’re already suffering.

Termites can cause damage to heating and ventilation systems, which contribute to more dust and allergens in the air and trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions as well. Your mental health can also be affected by termites because of how unsettling it feels to have bugs in your home, which might affect how you sleep at night and make you feel insecure about inviting guests over to your home.

The Potential of Termites Spreading and Multiplying

Another big issue with termites is how quickly they can spread within a home and even between homes in the same neighborhood. These are social insects that live in groups and that reproduce at a fast rate.

Female queen termites can lay between six and 12 eggs just a few days after they mate. But over time, females will lay more and more eggs as they mature and as their abdomens enlarge to increase birthing capacity. It is common for termite queens to lay thousands of eggs per year and cause full-blown infestations in no time at all.

We Can Stop Your Termite Infestation

But before you start worrying that your termite infestation is out of control or a lost cause, contact Precise Termite & Pest Control for help. We have been keeping Northern New Jersey termite-free for over three decades and know exactly where to look for these insects, how to exterminate them safely and efficiently, and how to prevent them from coming back to your home.

However, time is of the essence when you notice the first signs of termite damage but the problem won’t fix itself on its own. We need you to let us know about the issue right away so we can take over and prevent property damage, health issues, and termites spreading quickly and in the best ways possible.

How Do Termites Spread Within and Between Homes?

Termites are social insects that live in colonies and work in groups. When you see one termite, it’s guaranteed that there are others nearby, which can lead to a full-blown infestation inside your house. Termites spread quickly and easily throughout a home and possibly even to other homes and buildings in the vicinity.

To help you stop termites before they get out of control, here’s a look at how termites spread and the warning signs of termite spreading.

Termites Spreading Between Walls and Furniture

As New Jersey pest control experts, we often get the question, “How easily do termites spread from walls to furniture?” The answer we typically give is “very easily,” because these insects can multiply to infestation levels within just a few days.

The spread occurs when winged, reproductive termites go out to mate and then come back to start new colonies. Termites also join existing infestations by building tunnels through walls as they hunt for food in a home.

Termites Spreading Between Neighbors

Not only can termites spread throughout your home, but they can also spread from one home to the next in your neighborhood. From the epicenter of an infestation, termites commonly spread out more than 100 feet in every direction. Other estimates put termite travel distances at around 230 feet from the epicenter. Therefore, it is very possible for termites to enter your home if you have a close neighbor who is battling a termite infestation.

Between houses, termites move through mud tubes in yards and then enter through cracks in the walls. Termites that have reproductive and flying capabilities move through the air to search for mating partners, an effort that may cause termites on a neighbor’s property to travel to your home.

Signs of Termites Spreading

One of the telltale signs of termites spreading in a home are droppings that look like wood-colored and rigid pellets that may fall from ceilings. You may also notice mud tunnels around the foundation of your home if subterranean termites are present. Damp stains on walls, chewing sounds behind the walls, soft floorboards, and dried mud accumulations around doors and windows are also signs of termite spreading.

If you don’t catch spreading termites quickly, the structural integrity of your home will be compromised and costly repair bills will be inevitable. Termite infestations don’t simply go away on their own, so you need to be proactive about stopping them and aware of how fast they spread from underground to the foundation, walls, furniture, other items in your home.

Stop Termites from Spreading Now

If you have termites in or around your home, you need Precise Termite & Pest Control on your side. We specialize in stopping termites from costing you thousands of dollars of property damage so that you can have peace of mind and save your hard-earned money. It is a smart idea to have your home regularly inspected for termites so that you can catch small termite populations early before they spread. If your neighbor has been having termite troubles, a free inspection by one of our professional exterminators can save you countless expenses and stresses in your own home.

Contact us today at 866-971-2847 to learn more about how we handle termite extermination and to schedule your free inspection.

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.

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.

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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