United Termite & Pest Control |Termite Control

Termites serve an important beneficial function in nature by converting logs, stumps,
branches and other plant material into organic matter. However, structural wood in
residential and commercial buildings can also be readily used as a food source. Termites
are thus considered the most economically important wood-destroying organism in the
United States.

Subterranean termites cause more damage to homes than all other natural disasters
combined. In the U.S., economic loss to property owners due to subterranean termite
activity amounts to greater than three billion dollars annually. This includes the cost of
control measures and the cost of repairing structural damage. Proper identification is the
first step in the process of managing a termite infestation.

In Missouri winged termites or alates (swarmers) may emerge in large numbers inside
infested homes or from the soil outside during the daylight hours from March through
May. This usually occurs following a rain. A very small percentage of swarming termites
survive to initiate new colonies. Alates are preyed upon by other insects, birds, etc., or
end up in an environment unsuitable for survival.

Alates emerging inside a structure usually never survive to reproduce; however, it is an
indication that an infestation exists. The winged subterranean termites, or alates, are new
kings and queens. These reproductive forms pair up during their flight, then land and
attempt to establish new colonies. Wings break off shortly after landing, and the new king
and queen, if they have landed in a suitable area, begin their new colony by excavating a
small chamber in moist soil. When the chamber is large enough, the pair seal
themselves inside and mate. The rest of their lives are spent underground.

A successful queen lays her first batch of 6 to 12 eggs within a few days or weeks of
mating. Initially, young termites (nymphs) are tended by the king and queen. As the
queen's egg laying capacity increases, the older offspring take over the responsibility of
tending the termite young. The colony continues to grow as the number of termites being
produced each year increases. The parental king and queen have the longest life span in
the colony, often surviving for 10 or more years.

Colonies mature in 6 to 7 years, and size can increase to several hundred thousand
individuals. These colonies often become decentralized, occupying multiple nesting sites
interconnected by an underground network of tunnels. Termite colonies may issue
swarms anywhere from two to six years after being established.

What can we do to stop termite from invading your home? UNITED TERMITE & PEST CONTROL LLC can
treat your property with Termidor termiticide and in 90 days your termite worries are over. Termidor is non-
repellent. Termites wont know it's there unlike the termiticides of old agents of repellency. One mode of action
of Termidor on termites is by contact. Note in the picture below how Termidor and its transfer affect acts when
termites come in contact with Termidor. One termite carrier touching another member of the colony has
affected that member as well.