MAIDA  HOME CARE  spring 2006

FORAGING ANTS, CARPENTER ANTS, OR TERMITES - How Can You Tell? 

     If you own a home, spotting and controlling ant and termite damage is important.  Spring is invasion time, and we thought it would be helpful if you could identify the invaders.  

    Termites that do structural damage to homes are found in every State except Alaska.  Their food is wood and they can't distinguish between wood in a home or wood in the forest.  For most of their lives, termites are subterranean dwellers, but in the spring, reproductive members (also known as swarmers) of the colony sprout wings, leave the safety of their next and fly out in search of a tasty spot for a new colony.  Once they find a suitable spot, they drop their wings outside, then burrow underground to begin their colony.

    If you see a black, winged insect in your home, don't immediately assume "termite".  Instead, catch one of the critters in a glass jar and examine it closely.  You may have nabbed a flying ant.

     First, look at the wings.  Termites have wings that are all the same length.  However, flying ants have wings of different sizes; the two forward wings (closest to the head) are wider and longer than the two rear wings.

     The body shapes of these insects provide an even greater difference.  Termites have a head atop a relatively straight body.  The body has no sections or divisions.  Flying ants, though, have a head atop a two-part body.  In addition, the head and the two body parts are divided by small sections or waists.  Imagine three stacked plums with a raisin resting between each plum--this is the shape of an ant.

     Also, check the color of the insect.  Ants can be a variety of colors, depending upon the species, while termite swarmers are almost always black.

     When termites are underground or inside wood (subterranean), they are usually off white in color and about the size of a grain of rice (in New England).  To determine if any termite colonies are in the ground on your property, check any dead wood on the ground.  Turn over fallen tree branches, cord wood, tree stumps that are in contact with the ground.  

 If termites are observed close to your home, an unbiased professional inspection should be conducted of your home.  For more information on Carpenter Ants and Termites, visit our TIP OF THE MONTH section of our website.

     Winter ice along with the trauma of a snow shovel digging against the surface can really do a number on asphalt driveways.  Spring is a great time to repair and reseal your driveway and extend it's life. Examine the surface for cracks and gouges. Then treat small cracks with crack filler and fill in the potholes with asphalt fix. You might want to put the fix in place, then cover it with a board and drive the wheel of your car over it to really set it in place.

     When you're finished filling in cracks and holes, seal it all up using a roller, brush, or squeegee and sealer material.  Tar emulsion sealers are most common, but also consider an acrylic-latex-based sealer, as it provides a flexible coating that won't build up (though it is more expensive.)  Most of these sealers will hold for about 3 years.

PRESERVING YOUR DECK -     Seal it !!

     Replacing a deck can be expensive.  Sealing your deck prevents water penetration, which can lead to decay.

     Spring is also a great time to seal your deck too.  Clean the surface using detergent or deck cleaner, and when it's dry, apply the sealer with a brush, roller, or spray.  Use a waterproof wood preservative and make sure it includes a fungicide and a mildewcide.  Get the top and bottom and sides.  Treat the ends of the wood, too, as the ends usually drink in the most moisture.

     This is also a great time to re-inspect your deck to be sure there are no defects, loose hand-railings, broken stairs, and no wood-to-earth contact, as this would encourage insect infestation.

Copyright © 1999-2006 Sandra Maida
Last modified: June 25, 2007