What You Should Know about Subterranean Termites in Louisiana

Dugas Pest Control provides termite treatment and extermination service in New Orleans and Baton Rouge Louisiana Subterranean termites are the most destructive pests in our country, and they cost homeowners and businesses billions of dollars each year. They are found in all states except for Alaska, and they are most common in the southern states. Louisiana is one of the top states for termites because of our warm, subtropical climate. Even though termites are known as pests to humans, they hold an important part in our ecosystem.

Termites are not pests by definition, as they break down cellulose into usable nutrients. The nutrients, otherwise known as biomass, are then recycled into the soil as humus. The problem is that when subterranean termites get into the home, they can attack the internal wooden structure. From sheds to warehouses to the frames of homes, termites can quickly eat away, causing severe, long-term damage.

It’s important for homeowners to know the signs of a termite infestation since these pests can live in the walls or baseboards of the home without anyone knowing until it’s too late. By understanding the appearance, life cycle and signs of an infestation, you can identify a problem earlier and minimize risk to your home.

What is a Subterranean Termite Colony Like?

Subterranean termites are social creatures that live in colonies underground. The colonies contain millions of termites, but they have a very specific working order. The social order includes reproductives, workers and soldiers. The reproductives are designed to reproduce and expand the colony, and they can be either winged or wingless.

The workers make up the bulk of the colony, and they are the ones that do all of the labor, as in chewing through the wood. The soldiers are the ones that defend the colony. They most commonly attack against ants and other termites, and although the soldiers are fierce, they rely on the workers to feed them.

How Can I Identify a Subterranean Termite?

Since you want to protect your Louisiana home to the greatest extent, it’s important to know what a subterranean termite looks like. There are various stages that these pests go through, including the following:

  • Egg
  • Larva
  • Wingless Workers
  • Nymph
  • Soldiers
  • Adult Swarmers

The reproductives can be either winged or wingless, and the colors vary from dark black to pale brown. If they do have the wings, the wings are a smoky gray or brown color. There is even a social order within the reproductives, as some females lay eggs while others serve as a backup for the queen in case she is injured or dies. These termites have a creamy white color instead and are considered secondary reproductives. The workers are white or cream-colored and wingless. Soldiers have a similar look, with the exception being that they have brown heads with strong jaws.

Subterranean termites are approximately ¼” to 3/8” long and live in colonies. So, chances are likely that you’ll identify signs of an infestation rather than seeing a termite crawling around the home. These pests don’t wander from their colonies like that, unless they are swarming.

Signs of an Infestation in Your Louisiana Home

Hollow sounding wood – Termites don’t feed on the surface of the wood; instead, they feed on the inside of it. If the wood in your home sounds hollow, it could be because termites are eating away at the inside.

Mud tubes on exterior walls – Subterranean termites in Louisiana build mud tubes on surfaces in order to bring the colony moisture while searching for food. Mud tubes are always a sign of termite activity.

Swarmers – These reproductives can look a bit like flying ants, and they come out in the spring to mate. Swarmers can be found on windowsills or flying around the home, and they indicate that a colony lives nearby.

Wings – Finding discarded wings is another sign of a termite infestation. Look for wings in cobwebs, windowsills or other entry points.

Louisiana’s great climate has many advantages, but it also makes it prone to more pests such as our subterranean termite friends. Although termite damage can be difficult to suspect, being proactive is key. If you notice any signs of a possible infestation or start to see damage to wood, contact a professional exterminator immediately.

Why do Formosan Termites Swarm?

Formosan Termites When you think of the word “swarm,” the image of a group of insects flying together may come to mind. Yet when it comes to swarms in the termite world, the word means something very different.

What is a Termite Swarm?

A Formosan termite swarm is not aggressive or tightly grouped together. Instead, a swarm occurs when the environment triggers a large number of winged termites to leave the colony. What these swarmers do is mate and find new places to look for food. When a female becomes impregnated, she burrows into the ground with her mate, laying eggs and starting a new colony.

Since swarmers have two things on their mind – reproducing and survival – you can expect that these pests know exactly what they’re doing. You can just imagine how many Formosan termite colonies would burrow into the ground and start eating away at wood if they all survived, but Mother Nature plays her role here. Many swarmers are eaten by predators like birds and bats. Others die from natural causes before they’re able to find a mate. Only the strong survive.

Still, there is a good number of swarmers that live on and are able to find a mate and a place to start a new colony. These Formosan termite colonies don’t just emerge overnight, however. In favorable conditions, it can take 4 years for a new colony to produce swarmers. If the conditions are not favorable, it will take longer. It’s true that to humans, Formosan termites are certainly nuisances and damaging pests, but they are actually quite delicate in the chain of life.

What Triggers a Termite Swarm?

In many cases, it’s something in the environment that triggers a large number of termites to leave the nest. Swarmers are most common in the spring months, following suit with the natural swarm cycles. However, there are other factors that can trigger a swarm beyond the traditional cycles. Surprisingly, one of these factors can be a pesticide that is being used on the home.

If a Formosan termite colony has a lack of food or water, a swarm may be triggered. These circumstances can be brought on by using certain types of pesticides, so in order for the termites to survive, the termites will leave the nest. When Formosan termites are stressed, either in the soil or inside wood, they will leave their colony and seek food and water somewhere else. These termites depend on moisture, so they can’t go long without some type of water.

Where do Swarms Occur?

Swarms are very common in Louisiana, primarily in the spring and fall. Formosan swarmers prefer to fly in the warm evenings of the spring and summer, and they especially enjoy the climate after a light rain. Swarmers are attracted to lights, so it’s not uncommon to see Formosan termites flying around the lights of Baton Rouge in the evenings. Flying times for these termites is sundown to midnight, whereas other species of termite swarmers prefer the daylight hours. No matter where you are – home, work or out shopping – swarmers flying around is a sign that a termite colony is nearby.

What Should I do to Protect my Louisiana Home?

The best step is prevention. Turn off lights around the home or business at night in order to avoid attracting Formosan swarmers to your area. Make sure that windows and doors are screened and sealed, and look for other cracks or gaps around the home’s exterior. Formosan swarmers are very small, so they look for open areas to get underneath the home to start a new colony.

If you notice swarmers around your home, call a professional exterminator. There may be a colony nearby, but that doesn’t mean your home is infested. Still, it’s important to be proactive, and if the exterminator does think you have a problem, a product like Sentricon can be offered for control and elimination of Formosan termites.

The Difference between Formosan and Subterranean Termites

Dugas Pest Control provides termite treatment and extermination service in New Orleans and Baton Rouge Louisiana To the average homeowner, termites might seem like they are all the same. They’re small, stubborn pests that chew through wood and cause internal damage to structures. Yet for pest control companies, termites are not all the same, and knowing which ones we’re dealing with is helpful in controlling and eradicating the infestation. The two types of termites that are commonly confused with each other are the formosan termites and the subterranean termites.

What are Formosan Termites?

Formosan termites (Coptotermes Formosanus) prefer warm climates and are heavily abundant in the southern states, Louisiana included. This termite is also known as an introduced subterranean termite, first introduced from East Asia. Although these resourceful pests have made their home in the southern part of the U.S., they have been seen as far north as the Canadian border. This leads researchers to believe that Formosan termites will eventually become mainstream across the country.

Formosan termites build nests in the soil and use mud tubes to bring moisture to their colonies. These termites eat wood and other cellulose materials, and they have successful working orders that include reproductives, workers and soldiers. Formosan termites are fierce and will defend their territories. They can also do damage in a short amount of time, as the queen can lay 1,000 eggs in one day.

What are Subterranean Termites?

Subterranean termites (Reticulitermes) have a very successful working order as well, with reproductives, workers and soldiers. They rely heavily on this working order, especially during the springtime when they send out swarmers to reproduce. The queen can lay thousands of eggs in a day, and these eggs hatch into destructive termites that can collapse an entire building within a short amount of time.

Like other types of termites, subterranean termites live in colonies underground and spend their days searching for food. Their colonies consist of two million members. A subterranean termite diet consists of wood and cellulose material, and the termites get their moisture from building mud tubes.

What is the Difference between Formosan and Subterranean Termites?

One difference between the two is that formosan termites are more localized to the southern states while subterranean termites are found throughout the U.S. In fact, subterranean termites are found in every state but Alaska. They do prefer the warmer climates as the formosan termites do, but they are more widespread across the U.S. than the formosan species.

A second difference between the two termites lies in their physical appearance. Formosan termites have a longer body and a shorter head with two short pinchers. The subterranean termites have long heads and bodies with long pinchers. Formosan termites have a translucent orange color while the subterranean species has a translucent gray/brown color. Both have long wings and look like flying ants in their swarmer form, which is when they go out looking for mates to reproduce their colonies.

However, the main disparity between formosan and subterranean termites is that formosan termites build cartons that bring moisture to their nests. This ability allows them to build nests without having to return to the soil for moisture like subterranean termites. This small but handy ability allows formosan termites to be especially efficient in their working order since they can bring moisture to their nests without having to take the additional step of returning to the soil.

Identifying formosan and subterranean termites is something that most homeowners won’t be able to do because both termites build tunnels in the soil, unlike drywood termites that live within the wood. All termites eat the same thing – wood – so your home’s structure, bookcases, shelving and furniture are all at risk for being eaten. If you happen to see winged termites flying around the doors and windows, chances are high that you have an infestation nearby. Contact a professional termite exterminator like Dugas Pest Control for immediate identification and eradication. Both formosan and subterranean termites are stubborn pests, but they won’t stand a chance against our team.

What is Sentricon and How Does it Work?

The Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System was introduced in 1995 as the first smart alternative to traditional liquid barriers. This baiting system has been proven to be effective at reducing and eliminating termite numbers and colonies, and it takes the unique biology and behavior of termites into consideration. Sentricon specifically looks at termite tunnels and cellulose food sources.

Understanding Termite Behavior

Termites build tunnels that are up to 350 feet long, and they work for food continuously. They are a well-organized team that consists of workers, soldiers and the queen. When a source of food has been identified, termites will leave behind a scent so that other termites in their colony can follow after. The worker termites chew and digest the cellulose food sources and then share them with the colony.

While termites may sound to be nothing more than food scavengers, we know that they feast on wood and can cause severe structural damage over time. That is why it’s essential that bait systems are fast, effective and efficient at eradicating termite colonies. This is where Sentricon comes into play.

A Closer Look at Sentricon 

The Sentricon bait system is based on the behavior of termites, and it works by getting the termites to ingest the bait when crawling through their long, underground tunnels.

Bait systems are placed around the perimeter of a home by a professional pest control company. They are typically arranged 10 to 20 feet apart, and when the termites come into contact with the bait station, they eat the cellulose material and inadvertently ingest an insect growth inhibitor. The termites go on to share this “food” with their colony members that also ingest the bait. As the growth inhibitor takes over and prevents the termites from being able to molt, they die off.

Sentricon is not only beneficial for immediate treatment but also for long-term pest prevention. When the bait stations are placed around the home, they continue to work by distributing bait to termites to kill off the workers, soldiers and queen. That means that termites will never reach your home, preventing structural damage and preserving your peace of mind. Bait stations do need to be re-baited over time, but your pest control company will offer a warranty that makes these visits to your home low cost.

Is Sentricon Effective?

Sentricon has been proven to work, and it has many benefits to traditional liquid barriers. It is the most environmentally responsible form of termite treatment because there are no chemicals involved. Also, no drilling needs to be done as with liquid barriers that need to be injected into the foundation. The bait systems are only used where there are termite colonies detected, and the cost of Sentricon, at least initially, is less expensive than other options.

There are some things to think about with Sentricon that may affect your end decision. While Sentricon is effective, it does have its drawbacks. Because the bait stations are placed in the ground, they often disrupt the termite tunnels, and then the termite workers and soldiers choose to build new tunnels. Also, weather conditions like rain and snow can cause the stations to be disrupted. The goal is to go undetected by the termites, and Sentricon sometimes lacks in this department.

Also, Sentricon does require regular maintenance. A certified professional from Dugas Pest Control will come out to the home at regular intervals to re-bait the stations. You’ll want to consider these costs in addition to the initial cost of the system. The good news is that the Sentricon system is affordable and will most likely fit into your budget better than a traditional liquid system.

The best part about Sentricon is that it is environmentally friendly. Providing long-term protection, you don’t have to worry about chemicals or pesticides making their way into your home. And, there is nothing better than knowing that your home is termite free and your family and pets are not exposed to chemicals. Contact Dugas Pest Control for more information.

Liquid vs. Bait Termite Treatment

When Is Termite Treatment Necessary in Baton Rouge LA - Dugas Pest Control Homeowners in Baton Rouge fear termites because they have the ability to cause structural damage to the home. In many cases, the damage has already been started by the time that termites are discovered.

Since these pests are highly destructive, it’s important that the pest control methods used are both fast and effective.

There are two types of termite protection systems that we recommend: traditional liquid barriers and baiting systems. At Dugas Pest Control, we offer both types of protection options, better known as Termidor (liquid) and Sentricon (bait). Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of each and which type of termite control will be best for your home if you are faced with a Baton Rouge termite infestation.

What is Liquid Barrier Protection Systems?

Termidor is a non-repellent liquid that cannot be detected by termites. The liquid is injected into the soil around the home so that it creates a barrier that keeps termites out. When the termites crawl through the soil, they come into contact with the liquid bait and then unknowingly bring it back to their colony. Through activities like grooming and eating, the insecticide is shared with the colony and begins building up in the gut of the termites, causing them to perish in little time.

Termidor is very effective, and because the insecticide is spread throughout the entire colony, it kills off the termites in six to eight weeks. This unique ‘Transfer Effect’ is what Termidor prides itself on, as other forms of termite control are more easily noticed by these pests and won’t be transferred to the colony. Other benefits to this type of barrier system are that it lasts up to 10 years and has cost-effective warranty renewals.

What are Bait Systems?

The second option that Baton Rouge homeowners have is Sentricon, which consists of termite bait stations. These stations are placed in the soil several feet apart from each other. They surround the home, and when termites crawl through the system, they come into contact with the slow-acting bait. Sentricon is not as effective as Termidor, but it will decrease termite numbers and possibly even eradicate the colony as a whole.

There are other advantages you will want to consider with this baiting system. Sentricon does not involve drilling around the home, and the bait systems are the most environmentally friendly option. For those concerned about the chemicals used in liquid bait, baiting systems may be the best option. However, there are drawbacks to consider with this type of system.

First, bait systems are much slower to act and can take six to eight months to take control of the problem. In the meantime, termites can be feasting on your home and causing a great deal of headache. Also, it’s easy for the bait stations to be disrupted due to weather changes, lawn maintenance and other outdoor activity. And, whenever these systems are moved, termites often detect this and will avoid the tunnel. They end up dodging the bait and building new tunnels, something that a liquid treatment would prevent.

Homeowners must also keep in mind that bait systems do cost a bit more in the long-run. They are less expensive initially, but there is more maintenance needed to keep the bait systems working properly.

Which Termite Defense Product is Most Recommended?

Since there are benefits to both liquid barrier and bait systems, Dugas Pest Control is pleased to offer both forms of termite treatment because each treatment system may be the best solution for any particular termite situation.  Our job as termite control specialists is to inspect your property, understand your concerns, and make a recommendation for eliminating the termite problem in a manner which makes each home or business owner comfortable with the solution.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

Spring season is coming, and the termites will be soon be out in force here in Baton Rouge.  Subterranean termites become active as the weather gets warmer in March, April and May.  Then the Formosan termites will begin to swarm as we get into May, June and July.

Don’t wait until you start to see signs of damage to your home, contact us today for a free termite inspection and protect your home before the damage occurs.

Is the Sentricon Termite Elimination System Right for You?

termite exterminator If you’ve been faced with a termite infestation, you probably heard about two options that are available to you: Sentricon. At Dugas Pest Control, we are certified to offer both of these termite control solutions. For the purpose of this discussion, we’d like to discuss the advantages to choosing the Sentricon System and whether this may be the best choice for your particular situation.

What is the Sentricon System?

The Sentricon System is a series of bait stations that are positioned around the perimeter of the home. It was developed in 1995 and was the first termite baiting system, a major step up from the traditional liquid barriers.

The way in which the system works is unique. Worker termites work day and night to find food, and once they do, they leave a scent for others to follow. They also chew and digest the food, then throw it up to share with other termites in their colony. The food is poisonous, slowly killing off colonies.

How Sentricon Works

This system was developed after careful observation of termite behavior. The pest control company that implements the system will monitor the bait stations for termite activity. If activity is detected, there will be a bait tube added that contains the poisonous food and wipes out the colony. The process is slow, and the worker termites do not notice what is happening.

Sentricon’s Advantages

What makes the Sentricon System a great option is that it’s one of the most environmentally friendly options out there. It’s also less expensive than other methods, and families with children and pets enjoy the fact that there are no chemicals around the home that could affect their lifestyle. In fact, it is so safe, it can be used indoors under certain circumstances.

Insect Control in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

If you are a resident in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, you know that insect control is a must for every single home. This climate and region creates the perfect habitat for fire ants, spiders, cockroaches, ticks, silverfish, mosquitoes, and many other pests to thrive. However, that does not mean that you should have to share your home with these unwelcome guests!

Common insect problems in Baton Rouge, Louisiana:

Termites
A termite infestation can cause significant damage to your home or business. Dugas Pest Control is an authorized applicator for the leading termite control solution: Sentricon. Each of these termite treatment systems has their own advantages, but no matter which one you choose rest assured that they will eliminate current termite colonies and prevent future infestations from occurring. Ask us if you have questions about which termite control system is right for you.

Mosquitoes
Like many pests, mosquitoes can potentially carry dangerous viruses (such as West Nile), and are a very common insect to find in Baton Rouge. Step one in getting a handle on a mosquito problem is to eliminate standing water and any other breeding areas for mosquitoes around your home. Step two is to consider a mosquito control treatment system to further protect your home against this annoying pest.

Fleas, Ticks & Fire Ants
Even if you don’t have pets, fleas and ticks can still be a problem. And for those who do have pets, especially those who go both inside and outside, controlling fleas and ticks is a must! Ants can be another nagging problem here in south Louisiana both indoors and outdoors as we have more than our share of ant species in this area.

How to get control of insects

Your pest control provider should help you understand how to prevent insect problems from occurring by helping you diagnose the problem and offering suitable treatment solutions. This also means helping each customer learn to identify potential insect problems, such as nesting sites, entry ways, or optimal breeding grounds that can be eliminated.

Once the initial insect problem is under control, the goal is to set up a perimeter from the outside that will protect your home from unwanted intruding insects. Most of the insect control treatments last several months at a time, and a Dugas Pest Control trained professional will return on a regular basis to maintain your protection.