RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (BUSINESS WIRE) -- With cyberspace swirling with false rumors about voracious Formosan subterranean termites spreading throughout the country via mulch shipped from New Orleans, consumers are more aware than ever of the damage that can be inflicted by these pests. Inaccurate as the report may be, however, termites are a very real threat in every state except Alaska, and experts from a new Web site, www.TermiteInstitute.com, warn consumers not to disregard the termites that may be active already in their own yards.
"Americans spend $5 billion every year on professional termite defense treatments and repairing termite damage in their homes and businesses. That's more than the U.S. government spends on the CIA," according to Dr. Bob Davis, chief entomologist with the Termite Institute. "While homeowners should feel reassured that the mulch they buy for their spring planting is not likely to transport termites, they shouldn't be lulled into a false sense of security, thinking that termites are not an important problem that can and should be prevented with the help of a pest professional."
TermiteInstitute.com is a termite education resource, featuring summaries of termite biology, professional termite inspections, preventative and curative treatment options, and regularly updated information on regional termite activity and consumer news regarding this home maintenance issue.
"Homeowners who learn of the termite mulch urban legend online should immediately click over to TermiteInsitute.com to get the real facts about these very destructive pests," says Davis. "We are approaching the height of termite season, and homeowners who learn about termites are more likely to make smart choices about the best way to protect their single largest investment."
TermiteInstitute.com was launched in 2006 by the experts at Termidor(R) insecticide/termiticide, and reviewed by a board of independent experts in the real estate, entomology and home inspection fields.