Infrared Inspection

Infrared may be relatively new to some in the termite and pest control industry, but it has been around since the 1940′s. Even the United States Department of Agriculture believes in the technology. They used it for “Operation Full Stop” in Louisiana. Thermography is the use of an infrared imaging and measurement camera to “see” and “measure” thermal energy emitted from an object. Thermal, or infrared energy, is light that is not visible because its wavelength is too long to be detected by the human eye; it’s the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that we perceive as heat. Thermal imaging is being used to successfully locate termites in buildings in a non-destructive manner. In summary, infrared allows us to see what our eyes cannot. How does your termite and pest control company perform their inspections?

Heat Patterns of Termites in Houses

Thermal imaging technology detects heat patterns. When termites invade buildings, the normal heat patterns of the walls, floors and roof are changed due to the presence of termites. The thermal camera records this change in heat patterns and indicates the exact location of any termite infestation. A color image shows hot spots as red or yellow and cold spots as blue or purple and these heat patterns indicate termite infestations.

Termites are a type of insect that is considered cold-blooded; how can they generate heat? Termites are hosts to bacteria, which live in their gut, and these bacteria help break down and digest cellulose, the main component of wood. It is this digestion and chemical reaction that generates heat.

Termites get their food by eating wood, which is made up of mainly cellulose. A special bug called protozoa, lives in the stomach of termites and these protozoa helps to break down the cellulose. The digestion of cellulose generates heat and when large numbers of termites in nests get together, there is a lot of heat concentrated in one place. This heat moves through the walls or floor of a house and it is this thermal pattern that can be detected with the thermal imaging equipment.

If termites invade a house, in as little as six weeks, a small colony can form and considerable damage can be done as the termites eat through the timber parts of the house and start colonizing. They must stay out of the light and keep to the darker and damper areas inside the walls, floor and roof spaces. They need to control their temperature and may do this generating heat as they stay in large groups, or building moist mud structures to keep cool in hot conditions. They are attracted to warm areas around power points. An inspection with a thermal camera will detect these changes in heat patterns, whereas conventional methods will keep these colonies hidden.

(Click or drag your mouse cursor over the image to see the thermal image)

Termite Problems Cost Millions

It has often been stated that termite damage costs more than damage done by fires, tornadoes, and hurricanes COMBINED. With the conventional method of finding termites, it can often be too late and the damage can run in the thousands of dollars. With the use of thermal imaging, termites can be found early and before extensive damage occurs.

(Click or drag your mouse cursor over the image to see the thermal image)

Summary

Thermal imaging is being successfully used to detect termite infestations in houses. The heat patterns from termite colonies are detected by sensitive thermal cameras and the changes in the thermal patterns can be detected in floors, walls, and ceiling spaces. Insects are considered as cold-blooded creatures but heat is associated with their presence, due to the metabolic processes of digesting wood and cellulose. Termites also control their thermal environment by building moist mud structures, which can show up on thermal imaging equipment as cool spots in a wall cavity. Termites can remain hidden behind walls, under floors, and above ceilings for years before being discovered. With the use of thermal imaging, the termites can be found before it’s too late. We can GUARANTEE the termites are gone with our technology. Can anyone else?

Digital/Thermal Image Comparisons

The darker colors (black, blue, purple, green) show moisture, the darker the area, the higher the moisture content. The wood destroying insect picture is in grayscale which is the optimal way to view certain types of issues.

(Click or drag your mouse cursor over the image to see the thermal image)