| By :
Stewart Wrighter
Most people living in a warm climate have had some kind of problems with creatures that want to eat their homes seemingly right from under them. These creatures cannot distinguish in a piece of old wood or the wonderful artifact that has been handed down through several generations. Indeed, all they see is food, food and more food. To get rid of these munching machines is no easy task and it is time to call in the experts when any infestation is noted. Indeed, termite and pest control is a rather specialized subject if only for the types of chemicals that is used. Termite bait is often highly poisonous and must be kept away from where small hands or even the pets can get at it. Probably the first sign that there is something going on is the fine dust that is noted around wooden objects. This can be furniture or cupboards, or even beams that are holding the house up. They are not really bothered what they eat as long as they have a never-ending supply of food. Perhaps long brown earth like tubes are spotted too leading from skirting boards right up to ceiling boards. This is the above ground tunnels that the creature builds so that it can traverse the inedible part of the structure, the wall, to get to where the good stuff is in the roof space. They need to build the tubes so that their bodies do not dry out while they are going from one place to another. Of course, this is normally done underground but when it comes to above ground sources of food, then they just build what they need to get around. One way to check to see if the infestation is active is to brush away an inch or two of the tubes and see how quickly it takes to come back. If it does, then it is obvious that there is an infestation and the experts must be called in. Another way to check is to tap on beams or furniture to see if they sound hollow. These creatures eat the wood from the inside out. They can even eat right up to where the varnish or paint has been put on so very often people will not realize they are there until it is much too late. Although the old method of extermination is still used, there are more modern methods on the market which seem to be much more efficient and cost-effective. This consists of sinking tubes, at regular intervals, around the building every couple of feet or so. These tubes house a 'feeding station' which is checked regularly. The operative keeps an eye on where the poison is being eaten and will continue to replenish the tube until there is no more activity which means that the queen has died and the colony along with her. What brings the others to this exact spot is that once a food source has been found, these clever creatures lay scent trails to show others where to eat. This, in the end, is their demise.
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