St. Louis Termite Control and Subterranean Termites

Termite Protection! - Termite Remediation! - Termites are the number one cause of home damage in the united states. They do more damage each year than fires, floods, tornados, and hurricanes combined in the U.S. and the damage is usually not covered under homeowners insurance. One of our low priced termite treatment or termite prevention options can protect your home from this threat for far less than what it costs to insure your home for fire or storm damage.

Termite Treatment! - Some companies are just overpriced, others may seem reasonable but cut corners. Advantage Pest Control Solutions provides affordable, guaranteed termite control that's done right. Call today to see how we can solve your termite problem without breaking the bank.

Flying Termites! - The presence of swarmer termites, or alates, which resemble flying ants, is a strong indication that termites are infesting a structure, and it should be inspected immediately. Termites only swarm for a few weeks each year, and depending on the weather and temperature, this can begin between mid February and mid May. It typically occurs when the air becomes warmer and after a rain. Swarming termites are indicated by the insects themselves, the presence of wings left by the termites, or shelter tubes that the workers have built. The winged termites may typically number in the 10's to 100's, swarms numbering in the thousands are possible if there is a large colony or multiple termite colonies. Subterranean termites are common in the region. Termite infestation is no reason to panic, modern control techniques are safe and effective, and termites work relatively slowly. Some termite treatments come with a limited lifetime warranty. See our real estate page for real estate inspections.

Subterranean termites in the Saint Louis area need constant moisture and protection from the elements and predators. Termites may tunnel through softer surfaces such as drywall, paint, and carpet padding even though they are not edible. Termites spend most of their time underground in their colony or foraging for food. Whenever termites come above ground, they build "shelter tubes" or "Mud tubes" made from bits of mud, saliva, and feces. Termite shelter tubes may be visible on infested wood or traversing impervious surfaces between the soil and wood such as concrete foundations, pipes, and drywall. These termite shelter tubes keep the moisture inside the tunnel system and provide protection from predators. It is this behavior that makes termite infestations difficult to detect. Termite shelter tubes or mud tubes can sometimes be seen going up concrete foundation walls in basements and crawlspaces, up exterior foundation walls, in cracks behind door jambs, along floor joists, or in the hollow voids of concrete blocks. The picture to the right shows termite shelter tubes typical of a subterranean termite infestation.

Because termite evidence is often hidden for many years before it is detected, behind insulation, boxes, stored items, vegetation, fixed wall and ceiling areas, and drywall, it sometimes takes a well trained eye to spot termite activity, we recommend a professional termite inspection at least once a year. Advantage Pest Control Solutions offers free termite inspections and estimates in St. Louis and the Metro East.

Concrete slab homes and homes with additions are often the places where termites are overlooked because of the lack of unfinished areas. Often significant damage can be done before termites are detected. Sometimes termites are not detected until small bits of mud or shelter tubes are seen protruding through drywall, wallpaper, or ceilings.