The saga continues as two of the most feared pests on Earth continue to battle each other over who will infest your home first! Check out this video from the Ant Institute of the Ant vs. the Termite which highlights the war between two of the most common household pests in the U.S.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XQxPFYZjyY.

At the Termite Institute™ (www.TermiteInstitute.com) and the Ant Institute™ (www.AntInstitute.com), we have created the most comprehensive resources on the web to inform homeowners about these billion dollar pest problems.

When ant mating flights occur, homeowners often confuse the winged reproductive forms of ants with swarming, winged termites. As they battle each other for position in your home, it’s imperative that you find the correct solutions for treatment. On our websites you can learn the most common distinguishing characteristics between ants and termites.

· Both winged forms of ants and termites have two pairs of wings, but ants' front wings are larger and longer than the back wings, while the termites' four wings are all the same length and size.
· Ants have narrowed waists and elbowed antennae, while termites have thick waists and short, straight antennae that resemble strings of beads.
· Don't be fooled by color or size. Ants can vary in size, and winged termites of various species can be yellowish, reddish, brown or black-like ants.

Visitors to both the Termite and Ant Institutes can learn, educate and explore with live web cams of ant and termite colonies that simulate what it would be like if these pests invaded a home. Check out extensive media libraries with high-resolutions photos and striking video of these creepy crawlers. There are also fascinating facts about these pests, and an interactive species map that pinpoints what species are prevalent in each state. Be sure to check out your state.

Tree roots
If you have tree roots in your sewer, you can alleviate, or possibly eliminate, the problem by flushing a handful of rock salt (ice cream salt) down the toilet once a month. If the roots are small enough, the salt will make them rot. If they are too large to rot, the salt will soften them so they are easier to cut with a plumber´s snake.

Septic tanks
Septic tanks require some extra maintenance. In spite of what you hear, have your septic tank pumped out every five years. When solids build up, the damage is not to the tank, but to the leech field. The solids become as hard as concrete when they dry out. If this happens in the leech field or the laterals, they must be dug up and replaced.