Termite FAQs:
Answers to some of Our Customers' Most Frequently Asked Termite Questions

How do termites get into my home?

Termites move through the soil looking for food. Once they have discovered your home they launch a full-on attack, constructing mud tubes that lead to expansion joints, foundation cracks, hollow bricks or concrete blocks, spaces where floors and walls meet, and even the smallest openings around plumbing and electrical connections. Any building, whether built on crawl space, basement or slab foundation, is susceptible to termite infestation.

Unfortunately, it's not always easy to determine if you have a termite infestation in your home — to be certain, it is always recommended that you consult a licensed pest management professional. However, there are some things you can look for, such as: holes or voids in wood; crumbling drywall, window sills or door frames; sagging doors and floors. Swarming winged reproductives (which are often mistaken with flying ants) or their discarded wings (they shed their wings once mating is over) are also signs of possible infestation. Finally, look for mud tubes which are commonly found on masonry or along pipes.

Remember, there's no need to bet your house on uncertainty — American Sentry Pest Control's inspections are free, and we're just as happy to tell you when you don't have a problem as we are to offer assistance when you do!

Winged reproductive termites often emerge in Spring and Fall to mate and start new colonies. Unfortunately, many homeowners confuse these winged termites for flying ants — an often costly mistake. To the untrained eye, it can be quite difficult to tell them apart, however, there are distinct characteristics to look for. For example, Swarming ants have elbowed antennae, narrow waists, long legs, and their front wings are larger than their hind wings. Conversely, swarming termites have straight antennae, thick waists, shorter legs, and four equally-sized wings. See our illustration and more information in our Termite Overview section.

Of course, there's no need to risk your home on an uncertain answer... American Sentry Pest Control will be happy to positively identify swarming ants and termites for you during a free, no obligation pest inspection.

It is often impossible to ascertain whether termite infestations are active or inactive without subsequent inspections. Any visible damage noted by the inspector is an indication that some degree of damage, including damage in areas which are not visible or obstructed from view, may be present. Unfortunately, while we can treat the termites, we do not offer structural damage reports — if you'd like a structural damage report on your property, you'll have to contact an appropriate professional.

American Sentry Pest Control recommends what we believe to be one of the most effective products on the market — Termidor.™ In ongoing studies it has proven to be 100% effective in controling termite colonies in 3 months or less. Applied at very low rates (just 0.06%), the active ingredient in Termidor has been used around the world on cats and dogs for flea and tick control, and on agricultural crops to protect food supplies. It is EPA registered, and is virtually odorless.* You can learn more about Termidor on our Termite Treatment and Prevention page.

Termite baiting systems such as Sentricon® have been heavily promoted in the media, and can be effective, but there are some serious drawbacks to consider. See our Termite Treatment and Prevention section for details on why a liquid termite treatment such as Termidor may be the preferred option for your home.

It depends on the type of treatment. Baiting systems can take a considerable amount of time (months or even years) to get colonies under control depending on how quickly termites locate installed bait stations, and once located, if they accept the treated bait. Termidor liquid treatment, however, begins to work immediately and in ongoing studies, has proven to be 100% effective in controling termite colonies with 3 months or less after application — no waiting and no uncertainties!*

Absolutely! We stand by our services and offer a termite warranty with an easy annual renewal option. Having your home reinspected annually and maintaining the termite warranty are two effective ways to protect yourself against the potentially devastating effects of termite damage. The warranty esnures that any termite infestations discovered during the annual termite inspection, or at any time during the warranty term will be treated at no additional cost to you.***

Many consumer advocates recommend that you read warranty contracts very carefully, because there may be clauses or conditions that may make what appears on the surface to be a great deal, in reality, not so great a deal after all. For example, in examining these types of warranties, you may find that they actually EXCLUDE "hidden" termite damage. Because termites typically consume structures from the inside out, it is not only possible, but highly probable that damage will be hidden (under siding and brick veneers, inside wall voids, inside joists and beams, behind wall paper, behind appliances, under carpet, behind wood trim, and even in some cases, under paint), and therefore, may be ineligible for repair under the warranty terms.

Whether you choose American Sentry Pest Control or another pest control company, we strongly recommend that you consult a licensed pest management professional to assist you with your termite and pest control needs.

According to the National Pest Management Association, "...without adequate training to correctly identify the types of termites you have and the extent of the infestation, as well as knowledge on how to eliminate favorable conditions and select correct treatment options, trying to do the job yourself may be a costly mistake. Professional termite inspectors are experienced in determining the type of termite problem you have and are knowledgeable about the best treatment strategy to get rid of the termites in your home. If treatments are mixed, applied, and monitored incorrectly, you will not have controlled your termite problem and may have compromised your own and your family's environment and safety."

Approved Termiticides are chemicals used for the control of termites. They are registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and extensively tested for effectiveness by the U.S. Forest Service.

Pre-construction ground treatments are meant to reduce the threat of future termite infestations, but their long-term effects can diminish over time — particularly as soil is disturbed during landscapting or construction, rennovations or additions. According to the National Pest Management Association, no matter how old it is or what it is made of, your house can be infested by termites.

Check the termite warranty expiration date on the contract you received from the company that performed the pre-construction treatment. At minimum, it's advisable to have the home reinspected at the end of that warranty period by a licensed pest control company at which time you can purchase an extended termite warranty. Also, while they'll most likely want your continued business, you're not obligated to the company that performed the initial pre-treatment to extend your warranty — you can shop around for the best pricing and company of your choice.

Yes! In fact, taking proactive steps to protect yourself from the potentially costly and devastating effects of termite infestations by having your home inspected annually and by maintaining a termite warranty are sound home management principals. For added protection, we also offer preventative treatments to help head-off costly termite infestations to begin with.

You can give us a call at 703-361-6060. We'll be happy to answer your pest control questions, and if you'd like, will be pleased to schedule a free, no obligation and no pressure inspection so that we can evaluate your problem first-hand and give you a treatment recommendation to meet your particular needs.

*All Termidor information provided courtesy of Bayer AG. Termidor, the Termidor logo and tag lines are trademarks of Bayer AG.
**Sentricon® is a registered trademark of Dow Agro Sciences.
***Terms and conditions apply. Please see the Limited Subterranean Termite Agreement for full warranty details.

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