A Different Kind of Firework: Subterranean Termites; ``Lighting up'' Almost 4 Million Homes Nationwide.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Subterranean termites can cause fireworks for homeowners in every state except Alaska. Just as some pyrotechnics are silent until the "boom," termites work quietly until damage to walls, floorboards, stairs and rafters becomes visible.

This "silent threat" should not be taken lightly - last year saw nearly $2.5 billion in property damage from termites.(a) In fact, almost 4 million homes annually are infested by the voracious wood-eaters.(b)

Termites don't discriminate - they're just as hungry on holidays. Before gathering your family around the sparklers this Fourth of July, take a moment to inspect your home using this "top 5" list of ways to prevent, detect and treat a potentially "explosive" termite problem.

1. Maintain landscaped areas a few feet away from the foundation of the home.

2. Stack firewood away from the home, clear crawl spaces and basements of wood debris and excess moisture, and fix faulty drainage and plumbing or roof leaks that cause moisture to accumulate.

3. Routinely check in and around the home for mud tubes, dead termites, discarded wings, damaged wood and live termites - sometimes found while doing remodeling or repair.

4. If you discover any of these signs, contact a pest management professional and ask for a termite inspection to determine the extent of the problem.

5. Ask about the Sentricon(R) Termite Colony Elimination System, an innovation in termite control that detects and stops termites from attacking homes by eliminating existing colonies. Then, an authorized pest management professional provides ongoing monitoring to watch for new ones. Its protection is designed with families in mind and it's easy on the environment, as only grams of active ingredient are used when and where termites are present (liquid chemical treatments often use hundreds of gallons of chemical solution). Additionally, it's less disruptive to homes and lifestyles than liquid treatments, as there's no drilling, trenching, property disruption or scheduling hassles. The Sentricon System protects more than 1 million homes and structures, including the Alamo, White House and Statue of Liberty.

To learn about the termite threat in your area, and for additional information, visit www.signsoftermites.com or call 1-800-352-6776.

(a) Source: National Pest Management Association

(b) Source: National Panel Diary 2000

(R) Trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC