Economic Saboteurs Of Asheboro, North Carolina Find Their Match

But what if even in our own homes we have to wage another battle? A battle to regain control of our homes that have been taken over by pests? Whether it be nuisance pests like moths, weevils, or silverfish; or health risk pests like cockroaches, mosquitoes, and mice, we all struggle to keep them out.

What about pests that do a lot of structural damages? Termites and ants are guilty of this. As homeowners, we would want to get rid of them as soon as possible. DIY’s may work, but only to some point. More often than not, the help of the professionals is what it takes to get rid of them.

In Asheboro, residents and business establishments do not just call on any so-called “pest control experts”.  When it comes to entrusting their homes to someone else, they only look for the best pest control experts in Asheboro NC. They only trust one name: Go-Forth Pest Control.  

Pests As Economic Saboteurs

Some pests destroy. It is in their nature. Mother Nature made them that way, so it is nothing personal; they only do it to survive. And while we struggle to make ends meet, we do not need to help feed these pests.

Termites

There are about 2,000 species of termites. Termites are tiny insects, they do not look like much. Much more think of them as the cause of billions of dollars in damages. They have very soft bodies that are ¼ inch to ½ inch long. They have antennae on their heads.

Termite Diet

Termites eat mostly the wood that is part of the structure of our homes. Because of this diet, they are responsible for billions of dollars of structural damages every year. They also eat papers, boxes, your important documents, your favorite books, and insulation. Termites eat plants materials that are cellulose-based. Our homes and buildings are a rich source of food for termites because all homes can provide cellulose-based food items for them.

Termites are a big consideration for buyers and sellers of houses. A buyer who does the due diligence will check for everything, including termites. If found to be infested, the buyer might decline.

Termites eat dead wood and plants. They are classified as detritivores. They also eat mulch, stumps, and roots. They also eat living trees. They also consume paper, cardboard, boxes,  carpets, cardboard, insulation, fabric, and animal feces. Termites have mouths that are capable of tearing the wood. This is how they get to destroy our houses.

Signs Of Termites

It is very important that we detect termites in our homes as early as possible. However, it is not that easy. Termites are not called the “Silent Destroyers” for nothing. There are ways though, to detect them and thus prevent further damage. Be on the lookout for wood that sounds hollow when tapped; conspicuous mud tubes on the walls or wood beams; visible termite droppings; termite wings scattered around your house; and seeing an actual termite.

Types Of Termites

In the United States, there are four types of termites that destroy our homes:  the subterranean, Formosan, damp wood, and drywood termites.

Subterranean Termites - They are called subterranean because their nests usually contact the soil. Subterranean termites cause the most damage to our homes, causing billions of dollars in damages to structures. They have very sharp teeth and powerful jaws to cut through wood. They also cellulose-based material, like books and paper. They damage structures faster than any other termites because of their sheer number; there could be as many as 1 million subterranean termites in a  single colony. They live in moist dark places and, despite their great numbers, they are so hard to detect in our homes because they eat the middle part of the wood and leave the outer casing. The damages are hidden inside so it may be too late before you find out.

Drywood Termites - Drywood termites live in smaller colonies. These termites like dry places. They are 1/4 to 3/8 inches long. Drywood termites leave dry fecal pellets which could be found near their nests. Like most other termites, they eat wood from inside out, leaving only the outside shell. But in contrast to other termites, they do not need moisture.

Dampwood Termites - Dampwood termites are the opposite of the dry wood termites because they prefer high moisture. They are much larger than the subterranean termites and are attracted to wood that is damaged by water. They can also be found in fallen lumber, logs, and tree branches that are on the ground.

Formosan Termites - They are the aggressive termites. They measure about 1/2 inches long. They damage structures faster than any other termites since they multiply quickly. Formosan termites’ nests contain millions of such termites. They are responsible for huge damages in American homes, costing billions of dollars for repairs.

How To Control The Termite Population 

Remove the termites’ food source by taking away wood piles.  Be sure to keep these away from the house’s foundation. If you have to build wooden structures, keep it away from the foundation. Remove debris near the house and minimize plant materials; Use a cardboard trap. Cardboards contain cellulose which is what termites feed on. Put a cardboard trap near a termite infested area. The termites will be attracted to it, allowing you to catch them and burn them off. Use this in combination with other methods. Eliminate moisture problems by repairing leaking faucets, water pipes, and air conditioning units. Keep gutters clean, get rid of stagnant water on the roof. Try using beneficial nematodes. Beneficial nematodes are the small worm that are the natural enemies of termites. By burrowing into the termites and using their carcass as a place to spawn, they are able to kill them. You can buy nematodes at a local garden supply store.

Ants

Some people confuse ants with termites.  Ants have narrow waists and larger heads. Termites do not have narrowing on their waists. There are more than 10,000 species of ants. Of these, only a few make it to our homes to become pests. It is said that ants can cause bigger structural damages than termites.

Social Structure - Ants form colonies. In each colony, there is a single queen.  The queen’s only function in life is to lay as many eggs as she can for the survival of the colony.  Then there are males, whose only function is to mate with the queen. The worker ants, who are sterile female ants, work to feed the colony, forage for food, clean the nest, care for the young, and protect the nest.

Life Cycle - Ants have four stages of development: egg, larva, pupae, adult. The eggs are very small. It can be seen only through the use of a microscope. The egg also varies in shape: spherical, elliptical, or cylindrical. When it hatches, a larva emerges. The pupa is a much smaller version of the adult but has no ways or means to move around. The last stage is the adult ant, the ones we commonly see.

Their Diet - Ants like sweet food, but they also like to eat nectar, fungus, seeds, and insects. There are some species that have a different food preference. Ants found in our houses eat anything that we eat, making them such a nuisance.

Control - To prevent ants from invading your home, cut off their food source. Put your food in a sealed container. Powdered milk, sugar, powdered chocolates, and other similar items should be placed in such containers. Always clean your tables to remove any food crumbs or drink spills. Seal off cracks and crevices in your house, as these may be used as entry points for the ants. Then make sure to throw away your garbage regularly. This will always be a food source for the ants.

The Best Pest Control Experts In Asheboro

When it comes to pest control management in Asheboro NC, the people of Asheboro trust only one name, Go-Forth Pest Control.

Go-Forth Pest Control is a family owned business that has excellent experience in controlling and exterminating pests. Pests like termites, ants, roaches, mice, bed bugs, moths, weevils, spiders, and wasps prove no match to their expertise. They have been doing this for more than 50 years now.

Go-Forth has a team of highly skilled and well-trained professionals who utilize state of the art technology.  They also employ family friendly and pet-friendly methods of extermination, so you are assured of your family’s safety.

For more inquiries, or to set an appointment, just dial 336-841-6111. Our friendly operators are standing by.