Unfortunately, here in Baton Rouge LA, we have more than one type of termite to worry about. Termites are the most destructive pests in the country, and each species attacks our homes and businesses in different ways. Being able to identify different types of termites by their appearance and the damage that they cause will be a huge help in the event that you find evidence of their arrival on your property. To learn more about the different types of termites in Baton Rouge, read on. Our termite exterminators at Dugas Pest Control have put together some vital information that could protect your home or business down the line!

What Kinds of Termites Live in Baton Rouge?

There are a few different termite species living in our area that we have to watch for. These termites all attack from different angles and pinpoint different parts of our properties, so it’s in your best interest to learn to predict and prevent each kind. Here are the main four to watch out for:

1. Dampwood termites: Dampwood termites are generally found in damp and decaying wood close to the ground. They usually form small colonies, but they are the largest individual termites in Baton Rouge. You can prevent dampwood termites by ensuring that you don’t have any plumbing leaks and you aren’t leaving woodpiles out in the rain.
2. Drywood termites: On the flip side, drywood termites feed on dead trees, hardwood floors, structural timbers and furniture like rocking chairs and bookshelves. Because their colonies are quite small, it’s easy to overlook drywood termites until they’ve destroyed something inside your home. It’s important to use treated wood and close off any gaps leading from outside to your home’s interior to prevent them.
3. Formosan termites: Formosan termites originated in East Asia but has ended up becoming a major force in the southern United States. They are one of the most destructive and productive termites in the world, infamous for their ability to make quick work of large quantities of wood. Treated wood and carefully sealed structures paired with consistent monitoring will work to prevent them.
4. Subterranean termites: These are the termites that create the largest colonies and cause the most damage in Baton Rouge. You can tell that they’re on your property if you see mud tubes popping up in your yard. Subterranean termites are quite hard to prevent because they enter your home from under the ground.

Although they vary greatly in size, habits, and appetite, all four of these termites can cause extensive damage to different parts of your home.

Experienced Termite Exterminators

If you’ve found termites or evidence of termite damage on your property, reach out to your local termite exterminators for a wood destroying insect report. The termite control experts at Dugas Pest Control are trained and certified to perform many different termite removal tactics, and can have your entire property termite free in no time. Reach out to learn more and receive a free quote!

When selling a home, it is essential that a number of checks are carried out. These include structural, electrical, and plumbing. With termites found in almost all US states, checking for these insects is also highly recommended, especially as some lending institutions require this before giving a mortgage to a potential buyer. For this reason, it is best to have a Wood Destroying Insect Inspection Report, also known as a WDI Report, filed on a property. When you have a WDI inspection, you can ensure a professional termite control company will enlist an expert to look for all signs of active or past termite activity in a property. Read on to learn all you need to know with the termite experts at Dugas Pest Control.

What is a WDIR?

A wood-destroying insect inspection report is conducted by a registered pest control company. It is written up after a thorough search through a home for either the absence or presence of wood-destroying insects such as termites. Whether you are buying or selling a home, it is an essential document for all homeowners.

1. How is the WDI inspection performed?

The termite inspection is performed visually. Here, a pest control company will check all the areas that are easily accessible to them, particularly major structural points within the building. Special attention is paid to areas that are vulnerable to attack from these insects. The contractor will look for past or present evidence of activity. This can be found in the structures themselves or wood debris left by the insects.

2. What is inspected during a WDIR?

Any permanently attached wooden structures such as decks or porches are included in the search but detached structures are not. Certain areas are regarded as inaccessible that would require any dismantling of the house. These include the inside of walls or beneath carpets or floor coverings. If these are to be inspected, the customer will need to provide access—lifting up carpets for example—and an additional fee might be charged.

3. What are the results of a WDI report?

The WDIR must include information on either the presence or absence of wood-destroying insects. This includes either finding these insects (dead or alive) or evidence that they have been at work in the structure of the home (wood debris left behind).

Although termites are the most common insects found, the report also includes powderpost beetles, old house borers, carpenter ants, as well as carpenter bees. Note, a WDIR will never act as a warranty to the fact that the insects aren’t present. Nonetheless, it is a good preventative measure.

Wood Destroying Insect Inspections in Baton Rouge LA

Although not a requirement in many cases, a WDIR should be something that is carefully considered by the realtor as well as the seller and buyer of any property to ensure the home is not infested with wood-destroying insects. Considering the fact that termites are one of the most common—and dangerous—pests in our region, it is also recommended to invest in a report. Contact Dugas Pest Control for more information on procuring a WDIR today!

Electing to take care of things yourself rather than involve professionals always seems like an inexpensive and favorable option. However, DIY termite control is not the best option if you want to make sure you are protecting your home from serious damage. Before you spend your hard-earned money and valuable time on treatments that might not work, you need to understand why DIY is not your best option. The licensed and certified termite exterminators at Dugas Pest Control have seen it all when it comes to termite infestations and are here to tell you why it’s always best to seek the help of an expert.

How Hard Is It to Get Rid of Termites?

Termites are well-known for being difficult to remove from your home. If you don’t have the appropriate control methods, you could end up fighting a losing battle. There are plenty of options available for DIY termite treatment, but these are often less effective than those that licensed pest control companies carry out when conducting residential termite removal.

While these treatments may kill off some of the termites invading your home, a termite infestation is not truly dealt with until your house is entirely clear, and termites like to hide in quite inconspicuous places. When you use a professional pest control service, you are receiving treatment from local professionals that have serviced countless homes around Baton Rouge, know exactly where to look, and are equipped with the tools to quickly and safely remove termites.

Professional Termite Control Prioritizes Your Safety

The use of any kind of chemical around the home presents a danger to children and pets. While DIY termite control products often don’t contain as strong of chemicals as the ones used by licensed professionals, they still pose a health risk when used improperly. Pest control professionals know exactly how to apply these chemicals—our technicians are trained to use them as efficiently and safely as possible, keeping your family safe and keeping termites out.

Get Rid of Termites with Dugas Pest Control

Some people find success treating their termite problem using DIY methods. However, if the problem has already reached infestation size, the costs associated with purchasing the necessary chemicals and appropriate equipment to complete the job will quickly build up. If you compare the numbers, DIY pest control falls short of professional termite extermination services in many ways. To learn more about how we can get rid of termites for you and receive a free quote, contact our team today!

A termite infestation can cause any property owner a lot of problems. In addition to being one of the most destructive insects, termites can be costly and dangerous for a number of reasons. Although termites don’t carry and spread diseases in the same way other pests do, a serious infestation can make you sick. This is due to the mold associated with significant termite infestations. If you have a termite problem in your Baton Rouge home, mold often is also discovered due to the decay of wood.

Needless to say, mold can put you and your family at risk of becoming sick. The experts at Dugas are here to share all you need to know about the association between termites and mold problems in your property.

Do Termites Cause Mold?

Termite infestations and mold often go hand in hand because they’re both typically a consequence of rotting or decaying wood. Both termites and mold require dead wood to survive, which is why they tend to inhabit the same structures. Termites and mold thrive in moist conditions with an abundance of cellulose, which is why both problems are typically discovered at the same time. However, termites do not cause the mold themselves. When you discover termites in your home, it’s simply common to also discover mold.

The Dangers of Mold & Termites

Mold is a fungus that forms in damp conditions, often in the aftermath of a leak or flood but occasionally just when the wood is in decay. The reason why mold is so dangerous is that it releases spores into the air that can contaminate your indoor air quality. In turn, mold is infamous for contributing to respiratory conditions, including wheezing, and triggering asthma attacks. Mold in your home can lead to unsafe living conditions for you and your family. If you discover a termite problem, it’s best to also have your home inspected for possible mold or fungus issues.

Protect Your Family From Termites & Mold

No homeowner wants to deal with either termites or mold, let alone both at the same time! The best way to protect your Louisiana property is to team up with your local termite control experts. Dugas can keep you safe from termites year-round, protecting your family from mold and other termite-related problems.