Category Archives: Termite Control

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.

Termite Swarming Season: How to Prevent Them from Entering Your Home

Having termites in your home is a concern regardless of the season, but termite swarmers can cause even more issues for homeowners. Once a year, termites swarm, which is an event that often involves hundreds or even thousands of termites that become very active as they try to reproduce and create offspring. The bulk of this activity usually happens on just a single day, but the effects can be devastating to the structure of your house.

Here is some information about termite swarm season and some tips for preventing swarming termites from entering your home.

When Is Termite Swarming Season?

Termite swarming season kicks of in the early spring as termites start to reproduce and create new colonies. This season occurs when the cold days of winter give way to warmer and sunnier weather, which gives newly born termites the best chance at survival.

During swarming season, termites enter homes through cracks and gaps in various parts of a home, such as chimneys, patios, and siding. Vents in the foundation or in attics are also common termite entry points if there aren’t proper screens and seals in place.

Prevention Tips for Termite Swarm Season

Now that you know the answer to “When do termites swarm?” you can start taking preventative measures to keep them out of your house.

Termites love moist areas in a house so eliminate and standing water around your house and repair any leaks from pipes or faucets. To prevent drips and leaks in your house, you may also need to repair shingles or replace weather stripping on your doors and windows.

To prepare for termite swarm season, inspect the foundation of your house for any evidence of termites, such as mud tubes or hollow-sounding wood. Keep piles of firewood far away from the foundation of your house and make sure it’s lifted up off the ground to deter termites. Flowers, bushes, and trees should also be kept at least several feet away from the foundation for this reason.

Professional Help for Termite Swarm in House

If you are being affected by a termite swarm or just aren’t sure whether home damage you’re seeing is due to termite activity, Precise Termite & Pest Control can help. We know the most effective ways to identify termite damage and detect termite swarm in-house issues early before you are faced with a full-blown infestation.

For over 30 years, we have been the termite exterminators that New Jersey residents trust – during swarming season and all throughout the year. Contact us today for a free inspection or to learn more about our emergency services and the benefits of having us come out once a year to check on your home’s pest situation.

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.

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