Termite Information

When including a termite inspection with your services, Premier Inspection Services will perform a thorough inspection of all wood-destroying insects also known as WDI’s. This includes pests such as termites, carpenter bees, carpenter ants, and powder post beetles. If an infestation is detected or suspected, the inspector will then recommend treatment by a qualified pest control specialist. We are licensed by the State of Missouri and Kansas Department of Agriculture. We do not perform treatments and therefore have no vested interest in recommending treatments. You can be assured of unbiased and fair reporting. Termites are a common, yet potentially devastating problem for homeowners. These pests are fast-working and numerous. Termites can compromise a building’s structural quality by literally eating through the wood. The species we are most concerned with in the Midwest area is the subterranean termite.

Subterranean Termite

Characteristics – Size:

• Worker: 1/8-inch in length.
• Soldier: Body is similar to that of the worker. Supplementary
• Reproductive: About 1 inch in length.
• Primary Reproductive: About 1 inch in length.

Color:

• Worker: Light colored.
• Soldier: Light colored with brown head.
• Supplementary Reproductive: Light colored.
• Primary Reproductive: Dark brown/black.

Behavior:

This termite is known to swarm in May and June, but small flights can occur at any time of the year. Swarming is the primary way the termite naturally spreads after it has been transported to a new area. Three elements are needed for swarming to be effective:

1. Proper food resources (cellulose and wood),
2. moisture
3. a physical niche. As the colony grows, specialized castes are produced for the different tasks required.

The first caste produced is the workers. The second caste is the soldiers. The third caste is the reproductives. Two types, primary and supplementary, are produced in a Formosan subterranean termite colony. The two types have different functions. Primary reproductives swarm and start new colonies. They are called alates or swarmers. Although thousands of primary reproductives are produced each year, they all leave the nest. Primaries cannot become reproductive if they remain in their colony of origin. In a Formosan colony, the only primaries that reproduce are the original king and queen that started the colony. Supplementary reproductives, on the other hand, can become reproductive only in the colonies in which they were born. They take over reproduction when the primary king or queen dies or becomes separated from the main colony.

Habitat:

Subterranean termites live in colonies in the ground, building vertical tunnels that look like mud tubes above ground level so that they can search for food. Because subterranean termites will die if exposed to air for an extended period of time, the tunnels provide protection from the open air, allowing workers to carry food to the nest. Subterranean termites can form tunnels through cracks in concrete, so slab homes are not exempt from these termites. They need to stay in contact with the soil in order to survive, unlike drywood termites that only need low moisture.

Tips for Control:

There are several things a homeowner can do which can help prevent termite infestations or make them easier to detect.

• Store firewood away from the house
• Make sure at least four inches of the foundation can be seen all around the home. Siding should not extend into the soil. Mulch and soil should not be high enough to cover the siding.
• Make sure water drains away from the foundation. Accumulation of water next to the foundation is important for the survival of a termite colony next to a home. Rain gutters are ideal; however, the downspout should direct the water away from the home. Roof or plumbing leaks can allow termites to survive above ground in a house. These should be corrected as soon as possible.
• Paint will protect exposed wood against termites for about five years, and commercial pressure-treated wood will provide longer lasting protection. Before painting, all cracks and crevices should be filled with putty or plastic wood.
• Certain woods are naturally resistant to termite attacks. Among these woods are redwood core, bald-cypress, mahogany, and Spanish cedar. These types of wood, however, will become susceptible after several years of exposure to weather.

Click here for pictures and more detailed information of all types of pests

In addition to general home and termite inspections, we also provide radon testing. We use electronic devices that are calibrated every year called Continuous Radon Monitors that are very accurate. Test results are then downloaded at the office and sent to you later that evening. Premier Inspection Services is certified by the National Environmental Health Administration (NEHA) and have met the criteria provided by the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP). Premier Inspection Services believes that every home should be tested for radon to guard against the harmful effects of concentrated radiation. Below you will find information to better inform you about radon, its sources, the health risks it poses and testing information.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas and according to the EPA, Radon is the #1 leading cause of lung cancer among non - smokers. For more information, please refer to the EPA's document, Home Buyers and Sellers Guide to Radon to Radon, which describes the measurements made for real estate transactions.

* Radon Testing requires a minimum of 48 hours testing with 12 hours of closed house conditions prior to testing; these conditions must remain during the entire test. * - Closed house conditions means you can come and go as you Please as long as you close the doors behind you.

What is Radon?

Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. The release of this radioactive gas enters the air you breathe, causing a potential health risk to you and your family. Radon gas can be found in just about anywhere. It can get into any type of building -- homes, offices, and schools -- and build up to high levels.

What you should know about Radon

Radon is a cancer causing radioactive gas. You cannot see radon and you cannot smell it or taste it, but it may be a problem in your home. This is because when you breathe air-containing radon, you increase your risk of getting lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.

You should test for radon. Testing is the only way to find out about your home's radon level. The EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing of all homes below the third floor for radon.

You can fix a radon problem. If you find that you have high radon levels, there are ways to fix a radon problem. Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels.

If you are buying a home. EPA recommends that you obtain the radon level in the home you are considering buying. An EPA publication "The Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide" is available through most State Health Departments or Regional EPA offices listed in your local phone book. EPA also recommends that you use a certified or state licensed radon tester to perform the test. If elevated levels are found it is recommended that these levels be reduced. In most cases, a professional can accomplish this at reasonable cost or homeowner installed mitigation system that adheres to the EPA's approved methods for reduction of radon in a residential structure.

What are the Risk Factors? The EPA, Surgeon General and The Center for Disease Control, have all agreed that continued exposure to Radon gas can cause lung cancer. In fact, their position on the matter is that all homes should be tested for radon gas exposure, and all homes testing over 4 pCi/L should be fixed.

How Does Radon Enter the Home? Typically the air pressure inside your home is lower than the pressure in the soil around your home's foundation. Due to this difference, your house acts like a vacuum, drawing radon gas in through foundation cracks and other openings of your home. Radon may also be present in well water and can be released into the air in your home when water is used for showering and other household uses.

Potential Entry Points:

Cavities inside walls Cracks in solid floors Construction Joints Cracks in Walls The Water Supply Gaps in suspended floors Gaps around service pipes