Termite control questions
Legion Termite Control technicians examine soil moisture, foundation cracks, and wood framing to determine termite activity. Homeowners can clear debris from foundation edges and note any mud tubes before our arrival for assessment.
Anything not covered here, ask Legion Termite Control directly on (833) 742-9499.
Inspection and Identification
How do technicians locate active termite colonies during an inspection?
Our technicians probe soil along the foundation for moisture levels that attract foraging workers and scan sill plates for mud tubes that connect nests to food sources. They also lift mulch and inspect expansion joints where subterranean termites often bridge gaps. Any collected workers or soldiers are examined for mandible shape to distinguish species before treatment planning begins.
What signs indicate drywood termites rather than subterranean ones?
Drywood termites produce small, six-sided fecal pellets that accumulate in piles below kickout holes in attic wood or window frames. Subterranean species leave only soil tubes and no loose pellets. Technicians slice suspect wood to check for clean galleries versus mud-filled ones and note whether damage occurs above grade without soil contact.
Can homeowners safely remove mud tubes before technicians arrive?
Homeowners may scrape away a few tubes with a putty knife to observe whether new construction appears within days, confirming active foraging. Avoid disturbing large areas or applying household sprays that could mask chemical cues. Leave any tubes near the foundation intact so technicians can trace them back to entry points during the visit.
What does a pre-construction soil treatment involve?
Technicians apply termiticide to the entire building pad and around plumbing penetrations before the slab is poured. They also treat the backfill along stem walls once forms are removed. This creates a continuous treated zone that foraging workers cross when they attempt to reach the new structure from surrounding soil.
Treatment Selection
When do bait stations work better than a liquid soil barrier?
Bait stations are placed in the soil at intervals around the perimeter when the home has finished landscaping that would be disrupted by trenching. The stations contain slow-acting material that foraging workers carry back to the colony. Liquid barriers suit open perimeters where soil can be treated directly without interfering with existing plantings or irrigation lines.
How are carpenter ants treated when they appear alongside termites?
Technicians first locate satellite nests inside moist wood or insulation by following worker trails at dusk. They apply targeted dusts into voids while addressing any nearby moisture source that supports both pests. Termite bait or barrier work continues separately once the ant colony is reduced to prevent overlap in foraging areas.
What steps are taken for wood-boring beetle infestations in structural beams?
Technicians identify exit holes and frass color to determine whether adults are still emerging. They inject residual insecticide into the galleries through small holes drilled at intervals along the beam. Surface treatments follow on exposed faces to intercept any adults that attempt to exit or re-infest the same timber.
How is a liquid termite barrier applied around an existing slab?
A narrow trench is dug along the exterior foundation wall and the soil is treated at labeled rates before backfilling. Rodding under the slab edge reaches the sub-slab area at expansion joints and utility entries. Interior drill-and-treat points are added only where slab edges cannot be reached from outside.
Follow-up and Prevention
What monitoring occurs after bait stations are installed?
Technicians return on a schedule to inspect each station for feeding activity and replace consumed bait with fresh material. They also check for new mud tubes on the structure and adjust station spacing if foraging patterns shift. Records of consumption rates help determine whether colony activity is declining.
How should homeowners maintain soil around a treated foundation?
Keep mulch and soil at least six inches below siding to prevent bridging of any treated zone. Avoid planting new shrubs directly against the wall that would require frequent watering near the barrier. Report any new construction or settling cracks so additional treatment points can be added if needed.
What happens during a follow-up visit for drywood termite treatment?
Technicians re-inspect treated wood members with a borescope to confirm galleries remain inactive and check for any new kickout holes nearby. They also examine adjacent framing that may have been missed during the initial application and apply spot treatments where live insects are still found.
Can termite activity return after a full liquid barrier installation?
New colonies can establish from winged reproductives that land inside the treated perimeter or from untreated soil pockets created by later excavations. Technicians note any construction changes during annual inspections and add supplemental treatment where soil has been disturbed or where moisture now pools against the foundation.