Aside from being key parts of our nation’s history, what do the White House, the Statue of Liberty and Independence Hall have in common?
They all have a termite problem. Or at least they used to.
The government relies on the Sentricon system to keep these and other landmarks free from termites, and HomeMasters Pest Control offers its customers that same level of protection right here in Johnston County.
Quite simply, Sentricon introduces bait into your yard and home that termites can’t resist — and one device is enough to wipe out a typical termite colony.
It takes that level of science to combat termites locally, because we have ideal weather patterns for their development.
“Pest Control should be viewed as preventative and not reactive,” Katie Crowder, Homemasters Pest Control marketing manager, said. “North Carolina weather goes from hot to cold all within a singular week, so it’s best to have a barrier to prevent bugs from getting into your home. … “(Our) weather is the perfect climate for termites. Our combination of warm temperatures, humidity and wood construction makes the ideal environment for termites.
“We use the Sentricon brand of bait stations. The bait is chemical-free and termites enjoy it more than the wood of your home. Bait stations are an eco-friendly protection method that will eliminate the colony, not just deter them.”
Sentricon bait stations, 4.5 inches in diameter and 10 inches long, are placed around your home. Worker termites then find the bait, then share it with the rest of the colony. The active ingredient prevents termites from maturing through molting, which ultimately results in the elimination of all the termites.
The number of stations that are needed depends on the size of the home, and are placed about 10-15 feet apart around the perimeter.
While very effective against termites, the stations are safe for your pets, too.
“A dog could pull up a bait station and chew on it and not be harmed,” Crowder said.
The science behind Sentricon is good, but it takes experts like the ones at HomeMasters Pest Control to make sure your home is safe from termites.
“We come out annually to do a crawl space and bait station inspection,” Crowder said. “The crawl space inspection is a visual inspection for any signs of termites. In the bait station inspection, each bait station is checked for signs of a termite eating away at the bait. It is not water soluble, so they do not dissolve in the ground, and only start to look ‘gnarly’ if termites are eating the bait.”
It’s always best to have a professional inspect your home for termites, but there are signs of potential problems.
- Swarming — Termites often swarm in warmer weather and after a rain shower to start new colonies. The swarming event can be brief, so even if you do not see flying termites, you are likely to see the discarded wings around window sills, doors, heating vents, bathtubs and sinks after a swarm takes place.
- Mud tubes — About the size of a pencil, these tubes can be seen on foundation or inside walls.
- Damaged wood or live insects — Termites eat wood from the inside out, so you won’t see the damage until it is significant. They also avoid light, but they are light-colored and are about the size of a grain of rice.
Using the same technology that protects our country’s most important buildings, Homemasters Pest Control can make sure your new year is termite free.
HomeMasters has been serving customers in Johnston County since 2001. To learn more, visit www.homemasterspest.com or call 919-938-4575.
