Prepare Your Home For Termite Invasions (NAPSA)—Termites are a yearround problem for many homeowners. With termite colonies composed of thousands to millions of termites depending on the colony’s age and health, homeowners need to know the necessary steps to take to protect their most valuable asset—their homes. Nationwide, consumers spend an estimated $500 million each year for homeowners’ insurance. Yet, most insurance policies don’t cover the damage and destruction caused by termites. Nationally, termites cause more than $2 billion in treatment and repair costs each year. If discovered, their work can significantly lower the value of a structure and literally eat up the equity in a home. It’s estimated that more than 2 million dwellings are damaged by termite infestations each year. Large swarms of winged termites inside and/or around the homeare the most obvious sign of termite activity. Swarming occurs when reproductive male and female termites exit the colony and attempt to begin building a new colony. In addition to swarming termites, other common indicators of a subterranean termite infestation include: * Mud tubes * Hollow-sounding woodwork * Wings found around windows, doors, heating vents or in bathrooms and sinks Experts recommendthese tips to reduce termite infestation: * Keep firewood stacked away from the structure. * Keep crawl spaces and basements clear of wood debris and moisture. * Fix any leaks that can cause moisture to accumulate. * If adding a room or deck, make sure the wood you select is treated to discourage termites. * Maintain landscaped areas a few feet away from the foundation of the structure. * Routinely check in and around the structure for mud tubes, discarded wings and general signs of termite activity. Now homeowners can win the * Trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC war against termites with the leading innovative termite baiting system that eliminates termite colonies. The Sentricon’ Termite Colony Elimination System is less intrusive than basic traditional treatments that require drilling inside homes, pulling up carpeting and disrupting landscape. Sentricon uses an extremely small amount of termite bait only when and where termites are present. When termites are discovered, their biology is turned against them. Termites feed on the monitoring device and then are collected and transferred into a Baitube™ device containing bait destructive to termites. Once they feed on the bait, they tunnel out of the Baitube device into the ground and lure nestmates to feed on the bait. The unsuspecting termites continue to feed on the bait and begin to die. Colony elimination can be achieved with less than an ounce of termite bait. Once the termites are eliminated, the bait is removed and replaced with the wood-based monitoring devices. The Sentricon System continues to monitor for any new colonies that may invade the area, providing long-term structural protection from termites. The Sentricon System was awarded the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is currently being used to protect more than 700,000 structures throughout the country, including the Statue of Liberty and the White House. To find the nearest authorized pest management professional offering the Sentricon System, consult your Yellow Pages, call 1-800-686-6200 or visit www.sentricon.com.
