» Termites

Termite Swarm Season is Here

Massey Services — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:32:13 +0000

Every year beginning in February and stretching through May, subterranean termite swarm season occurs. This is typically the only time of year where you actually see this type of termite since the rest of the year they remain underground in search of food.
Swarm season occurs as the weather begins to warm back up and we start to enter our rainy season. This drives the termites to leave their colonies and go on mating flights. Here are a few things to look for if you suspect you may have termites:

* Discarded Wings. Often present after a swarm, they are typically found in small piles near window ledges and other light sources.

* Mud Tubes and/or Tunnels. Because they prefer dark, moist conditions, foraging termites construct mud tubes as protective runways from the earth to the wood inside a home. Look for mud tubes along the foundation of your home, around doors and windows and on wood posts.

* Small Holes in Wood or Drywall or Blistered Paint. When termites swarm within your home, they often create small exit holes. Because termites eat wood products from the inside out, they usually hollow the wood along the grain. This can cause ripples in the exterior of the wood itself, or cause the paint to blister.

* Structural Damage. This could include soft spots in walls, sagging floors, loose trim and cracked plaster. Also, check for “hollow” sounding wall studs.

For additional information, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions section or call us and we’d be happy to help.

The Importance of Termite Protection

Massey Services — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 17:32:14 +0000

Recently an article was published in the Sun Sentinel that reminds us of why it’s so important to have termite protection for your home. This article references a homeowner in South Florida that discovered termite damage in his home and then found out that his homeowner’s insurance does not cover it.
Unfortunately, most homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover termite damage. So in addition to having termite protection for your home, it’s also important to make sure it’s backed by a guarantee that you can count on if you ever have a problem.
Here in the Southeast, we can’t get away from termites so the best thing to do is protect your home.
If you suspect you may have a termite infestation, click here to learn more about the warning signs.

Swarming Termites in Orlando

Massey Services — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:01:00 +0000

An article appeared on the front page of the Orlando Sentinel today entitled “Weather’s warming and termites are swarming.” This is a great reminder to all of the homeowners who live in the Southeast that termites are a constant threat to our homes.

Termites swarm when they are trying to expand their colonies. They typically swarm from February through June, depending on where you live and the climate. Unfortunately – this is probably the only time a homeowner will ever see termites and know they have a problem. That’s why it’s so important to have an annual termite inspection every year.

But an annual inspection is only part of the solution. Having a preventive termite protection plan is the best way to ensure your home and belongings are protected. Now granted, I’ve worked in the Pest Control Industry for almost 10 years so I know I’m a bit biased. But I have seen the damage that termites can cause first hand (bathrooms having to be remodeled, houses having to be tented for days to eliminate termites, windows having to be repaired from damage) and don’t want to see this happen to anyone I know.

Just remember, even if you don’t see termites swarming – the best way to protect your home is with a preventive treatment plan.

Guess What State is the Buggiest!

Massey Services — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:17:55 +0000

A nationwide telephone survey of homeowners shows Florida is the worst state for bug problems, with Louisiana, Texas, California and Georgia close behind. The survey, conducted in June, shows a whopping 90 percent of homeowners said they have experienced an insect infestation of one kind or another. The most common invaders? Ants, termites and cockroaches.

While Florida placed No. 1 overall as the worst state for bugs, it also ranked third-worst for bed bugs, behind New York and California. The least amount of bug problems were reported in Washington, D.C. The next most favorable reports came from South Dakota, Connecticut, Idaho and New Hampshire.

The Zebra Longwing butterfly, Florida's official state "bug"

The top 10 buggiest states are:

1. Florida

2. Louisiana

3. Texas

4. California

5. Georgia

6. New York

7. Mississippi

8. Alabama

9. Missouri

10. South Carolina

Holiday Shopping – Be Careful What You Bring in your Home

Massey Services — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:39:01 +0000

The holiday season is quickly approaching and I can’t wait to purchase gifts and decorate my house for the holidays! Plus, with guests coming over, I was thinking it gives me time to tidy up and maybe even buy a few new things for my own home for decoration.

Then, the other day I heard an unbelievable story about a termite infestation inside a home that made me really think about what I am buying and bringing inside. A woman bought some new baskets and decorative items to brighten up her home before her holiday guests began arriving. The items were made of wood and unbeknownst to the owner, they were infested with termites. She started noticing small piles of dust around the wood floors of her home within a few months of the purchase but couldn’t figure out what it was.

After about one year of a growing problem, she finally contacted us and we discovered a complete termite infestation in her home – all caused from this one little purchase!

Now, I’m not saying I won’t decorate my home or buy anything new, but I’ll definitely be inspecting anything made of wood for traces of termite damage. And I’d recommend to anyone that they do the same. If you see start seeing tiny piles of powder around your house or small holes in your drywall, don’t wait to call!

Now who’s ready for some shopping?

What To Do If You See A Swarm

Massey Services — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 09:20:43 +0000

What to do in a termite swarm

Homeowners may never actually see termites because they live in the ground or potentially in the walls of the home.

Most of the time, a termite swarm is the only time homeowners actually see termites or find out they have termites before damage is discovered. Mature termite colonies will produce winged reproductive termites that will fly off from the colony in great numbers. This is nature’s way of termites spreading and establishing new colonies. Termite swarms can occur both indoors and outside.

When termites swarm indoors, they will come out of walls or wooden construction (baseboards, door frames, posts, etc.) through small holes. These are called “exit holes” and were created by worker termites. A swarm will last about 30-40 minutes and the swarming termites will fly toward a light source, typically collecting around windows and sliding glass doors. If these termites can not find soil, they will die in a few hours from dehydration. Often homeowners come home from work to find many dead swarmers (or sometimes just their wings) on window sills, counter tops, around furniture, etc. This is the aftermath of a termite swarm.

Some Do’s and Don’ts if you see a swarm:

DON’T panic.
DON’T spray the swarmers with a can of insect spray. They will die naturally in the air and emptying a can of insect spray is unnecessary.
DON’T try to seal the exit holes. Swarmers must escape and sealing the holes with tape or other materials will only cause them to make new holes to escape from.

DO try to contain them. This can be done by shutting the door to the room that they are swarming in. Sometimes, a clear plastic baggie can be attached over the exit hole so the swarmers fly into the bag.
DO vacuum them up and throw the full bag into the garbage. The swarmers in the bag will die and they can not spread.
DO save a bag full of insets to show a trained inspector.
DO call a reputable termite company. A trained inspector will be able to make a positive identification of the type of termite and recommend the best control method to solve the problem.

Think you’ve had a swarm in your home? Want to learn more about our Termite Treatment Options? Schedule a Free Inspection or call us at 1-888-2MASSEY (262-7739).

Termites Attack Brick Homes Too

Massey Services — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 17:28:11 +0000

So you have a brick home and think it’s impervious to termites? Think again!

Every year, termites cause millions of dollars in damage to homes in the US, damage that is not covered by homeowners insurance. These tiny insects find cellulose material in any home construction type, including brick and steel framed homes.

Subterranean termites reside in the soil and can form tunnels, called mud tubes, up the base of the foundation and get into homes. Once in the home, they tunnel their way into baseboards and wall studs without you even knowing. Subterranean termites can also gain entry through plumbing openings in bathrooms and kitchens.

Drywood termites live in the wood they eat and find their way into homes through cracks and gaps in the eaves. Once in the home, they are typically found in attics or rafters.

In both cases, termites eat wood from the inside out and most homeowners don’t know they have termites until the damage is discovered.

So no matter what your home construction is, you should have a termite protection program in place. Contact Massey Services to get a Free Termite Inspection and to find out about our termite protection programs.

Termites Don't Take Vacations!

Massey Services — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Unfortunately in the Southeast, the conditions are perfect for termites to be active year-round. Termites will typically slow their activities in the colder months and there are only a few short weeks in the South when the weather is too cold for extensive termite activity.

Even in these colder times, termites are not greatly affected because homes are built with the ability to control the temperature inside. So, when homeowners turn on their heaters, the conditions inside the home become favorable for termite activity to continue.

This is why it is important to have your home inspected annually by a professional company. Trained Termite Inspectors can identify signs of termites that may not be seen by homeowners.

Massey Services provides Free Termite Inspections and we’ll provide you with a written report of our findings along with recommendations for Termite Protection programs customized for your home. Sign up for a free inspection or call us at 1-888-2MASSEY.

Termites Don’t Take Vacations!

Massey Services — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000

This is why it is important to have your home inspected annually by a professional company. Trained Termite Inspectors can identify signs of termites that may not be seen by homeowners.

Siding And Stucco: The Perfect Highway For Termites

Massey Services — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000

When exterior sidings on a home extend below the soil or come in direct contact with the soil, termites can build their mud tubes between the foundation and the siding. To reduce the risk of termite infestation and to be able to see an infestation, all exterior sidings should be about 6-8 inches above the soil. This is especially true with stucco coating on wood-frame wall construction.

On the outside, a wood-framed wall coated with stucco appears to be solid concrete with no way for termites to get in. However, stucco coatings are applied to a wire mesh that is attached to the wood sheathing of the wall. When the wire is installed below the surface of the soil it creates a gap that is wide enough for termites to tunnel behind the stucco into the home. Because they are tunneling behind the stucco, the tunnels are not visible and this can result in an infestation going undetected for a long time.

If your home is constructed of wood-framing with an exterior coating of stucco extending below the soil, it is highly recommended that you have an annual termite inspection by a professional. A proper inspection will determine if the stucco is providing a hidden avenue for termites into your home,

Contact Massey Services for your Free Termite Inspection. We will also provide you a detailed report of any findings along with our recommendations to protect your home.