In this article, you will find most of the answers to your questions regarding termites and termite control.
Termites are a common pest that can damage your home.
But with so many different types of termites out there, how do you know if the pests are present in your house and what should be done about them?
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Termite Prevention +
Termites could be under your house!
How?
During renovation, the vibrations can attract active termite activity and infestation. Once renovations are complete, termites will show up and damage your house! Prevent termite infestation with Termite Prevention + before renovating your house.
Recommended for Residential Renovation
-
3 + 2 Years Warranty
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Free 2 Inspections
-
Free Termite Baiting* (NP: RM1800)
-
Slab Injection
-
Pestmaster Wipeout Plan
*Termite baiting applies if subterranean termites are detected during warranty.
Contact for Special Price !
We will answer some common questions about termites here: what they look like, how to spot them in your home, and how to treat them once they have infested the area.
So let’s get started!
Q1: What do termites look like?
There are different types of termites, but the most common type in Malaysia is the subterranean termite.
Subterranean termite has different species, but you can typically find these three species in Malaysia: the Reticulitermes, Heterotermes, and Coptotermes.
Subterranean termites live in a colony containing caste systems. The major castes in a colony are the reproductive, soldier and workers castes.
The reproductive termites include queens, kings and alates. Being the most important termite in a colony, the queen is the largest termite, while the king is much smaller.
Meanwhile, alates, also known as swarmers, are winged male and female termites who will swarm out of the nest to form a new colony elsewhere.
Their bodies can measure about 1/4 to 1/2 inch in length, are dark brown to nearly black, and their wings are translucent and slightly milky-coloured.
Unlike alates, soldier termites and worker termites are wingless.
Workers’ bodies are about 1/4 inch or less in length and are cream-coloured. They have small jaws that help them chew away at wood and move materials, while soldiers can be differentiated by their large mandibles.
Soldiers have flat and wide bodies, usually creamy white, with rectangular-shaped heads that are darker and more brownish than their bodies.
Q2: What are the signs of termites?
Termites can be difficult to identify.
In fact, most homeowners are unaware that they have termites until after their home has been damaged.
Fortunately, there are several signs of termite infestation that you can look out for to determine if you need professional help with termite control:
Mud tubes
Termite workers build mud tubes (or shelter tubes) from a mix of saliva, soil and wood, which they use as pathways between their nests and food sources, as well as protection from the open air.
Discarded wings
Swarmers will shed their wings once they find a mate before finding a new nesting site.
So, if you see discarded wings near the windowsill or doors, it may be an indication of a termite infestation in your home.
Droppings
Termites leave small, brown droppings known as frass.
These droppings look like wood particles or sawdust particles due to how much wood they eat.
Q3: How can I prevent termites from infesting my house?
There are various ways to prevent termites from infesting your home in the first place.
These tips will not completely eliminate the risk of a termite infestation but will help reduce the risk.
Some of these include:
Keep your house dry
Termites need moisture to survive, so keeping your home dry will help keep them at bay.
The best way to do this is by immediately fixing any leaks or other sources that could cause moisture and water-soaked areas.
Seal openings and cracks
Seal any openings or cracks that may offer termites access to your home using cement, grout, or caulk.
Keep yard clean
Keep your yard clean and free of debris where termites might feed on rotting plant matter such as leaves, branches, and tree stumps.
Moreover, do not plant trees and shrubs too close to your home, and do not allow them to grow against exposed wood surfaces, as this can give access to termites to invade your home.
Q4: Do I need professional termite control?
If you suspect you have a termite infestation, getting rid of them as soon as possible is important.
While it’s possible to do it yourself with products sold at hardware stores or online, effective termite control is best left to the professionals.
They have the training and experience to properly inspect your home for signs of infestation and determine if treatment is necessary.
A termite control professional can also advise you on preventing future infestations.
Moreover, the cost of exterminating termites yourself can be wasteful, especially for those who don’t have much experience with pest control techniques.
Even if you have experience, hiring a professional termite exterminator is still the best option since they know better.
Special Xtra Warranty Offer!
Termite Prevention +
Termites could be under your house!
How?
During renovation, the vibrations can attract active termite activity and infestation. Once renovations are complete, termites will show up and damage your house! Prevent termite infestation with Termite Prevention + before renovating your house.
Recommended for Residential Renovation
-
3 + 2 Years Warranty
-
Free 2 Inspections
-
Free Termite Baiting* (NP: RM1800)
-
Slab Injection
-
Pestmaster Wipeout Plan
*Termite baiting applies if subterranean termites are detected during warranty.
Contact for Special Price !Q5: How often should I have my home treated for termites?
The frequency with which you need to have your home treated depends on several factors.
This includes how old your home is and where you live, as well as other factors like whether or not termites are living in surrounding structures.
Regardless, regular termite control in Malaysia is highly encouraged because it can help to reduce the chance of infestation, especially with the frequent weather and temperature changes happening in the country.
Effective Termite Control in Malaysia
Now that you know what to look for and how to identify a termite infestation in your home, it’s time to take action.
Whether you are looking for reliable termite control in Malaysia or want to prevent a termite infestation in the future, Pestmaster has the solutions you need.
We offer a comprehensive line of pest control services that provide complete protection from pests threatening your home and business.
Next read: 5 Great DIY Pest Control Solutions That Actually Work for Your Home