Termite Treatment
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If you have found a termite infestation in your home (and had this confirmed by a termite isnpection) and have discovered you need a termite control campaign, what types of termite treatments are there?
Termite baits take advantage of the termite’s natural tendencies. Termites live in close contact with one another in colonies in underground nests. Termite baits use slow working poisons. The idea is that some of the termites pick up the bait, return it to the nest and spread it round, thus eliminating all the termites in the entire nest.
Termite bait stations can be particularly effective in spring when foraging is most prevalent. Place bait traps close together in areas of high termite infestation. If you are unsure of where the nest is, the safest option is to ensure that the termite bait stations
The advantages of baits is that they can attack the whole nest even if you are not sure of its location. They are easy to use. They are also less toxic - meaning you don’t have to worry about effects on pets, other wildlife, children etc. The downside is that they are not as effective as other methods. This method will kill many termites. However, the surviving termites will simple move to a new area and start to breed and build a new nest some where else - so the problem simply springs up somewhere else.
It has been found that termites feed more readily on bait that is left above ground. This is only logical since termites naturally feed on dead wood and branches that have fallen from trees and are, therefore, above ground. The most effective bait stations, such as Advance, take advantage of this. Rather than being completely buried underground, they are partially buried with the top exposed. This attracts the termites more readily and is a much more efficient method of termite extermination.
Soil Termiticide Treatments
Termiticides can be applied to areas of soil and will prevent termites from entering into the home. They create a chemical barrier which the termites will not be able to pass. By blocking the termites off from their food source, the entire nest will be killed. These are often known as repellent termite treatments.
If you don’t have any experience with pest control, you may not be comfortable using this method. For the best results, it is well worth hiring a termite control service who will know the correct chemicals to use to suit each individual situation.
Delayed Termiticide Treatments
Where as standard soil termiticides work quickly, this method of non-repellent termite treatment works much more slowly. The advantage of this is that it can be transmitted to other members of the nest - killing many with a single dose. This method is often used in conjunction with bait stations. It is hard to find effective termiticides in stores, but you can buy Termidor termiticide online.
Physical Barriers
Termites can be prevented from reaching a particular area by creating a physical barrier (such as a close weave wire mesh) between the termites and the wood. It is even possible to buy wire meshes which contain termiticides - making them doubly effective. In order for this method to be cost effective, it has to be done at the construction stage. Once a house is built, this becomes a very expensive method of termite control.
Controlling Subterranean Termites
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Subterranean termites are the most prevalent type of termite in the USA. They live in underground nests, getting moisture from the soil and eating cellulose which they find in plant matter and also in wood. This is why they can often be found in any wooden structure that is close to the ground e.g. sills, porches and steps.
This is a big concern for home owners. Once termites take hold, they can eventually lead to the building collapsing. However, there is no need to be concerned if you have just discovered you have termites. Your home is not in immediate danger. It will not fall down over the course of a day. However, it is worth being careful, checking for the signs and, if necessary, undertaking some subterranean termite control measures.
It is not always obvious when your home is infected with termites. Termites are not keen on daylight and if they do break through the wood, will immediately cover it over with a cork like material. Unlike other insects, they will not leave sawdust or holes as a tell-tale sign of infestation.
Often, the first the home owner will know about it is when a swarm of flying termites emerges. These swarms will often arise in spring (April/May time), but they can occur at any time of the year. If you see a swarm of termites in or near your home or you find termite wings which have been shed, then take action by having a termite inspection.
If you suspect you have a termite infestation, you can test the wood. The most likely place to find subterranean termites is in wood that is close to the ground and in a poorly ventilated place. Find a part of the wood that is not exposed and try to push a screwdriver into the wood. If the wood is firm and resistant, then it is unlikely that there is a termite problem. If the screwdriver goes into the wood easily, then you may well have a termite infestation. Termites will eat away at the inside of the wood (leaving only a thin layer of wood on the outside), so if you discover hollow wood during your tests, take measures to control your subterranean ant problem as soon as you can to ensure that home is safe.
Termite Control: Can You Do It Yourself?
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With many termite control products on the market, it is tempting to attempt to control the pests. However, it can be a much more difficult task than it might seem.
The main advantage of the do-it-yourself method is cost. Getting a full termite inspection from a qualified pest controller can be more expensive. However, the pest control service will have much greater knowledge and more effective tools to combat the problem. Many people do, however, prefer to try to tackle the problem themselves. And it can be done. There are a number of methods on the market that can help you achieve it.
There are a number of termite treatments available on the market. These can be quite effective. The best treatment, used most often by the professionals, is Advance Termite Bait. These products are very hard, if not impossible, to find in stores. You could end up searching endless stores and come away empty handed. You can, however, buy them here.
Even if you do manage to kill all the termites in your house - that does not solve the problem of termites in your yard.
Welcome to Termite Control and Inspection
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Thanks for visiting Termite Control and Inspection. On this blog, we’re going to be looking at ways to tackle problems with termites.
Termite control is a very important issue for home owners - your home is most likely the largest investment you will make. So it is very necessary to protect it. Termites, once they have take hold in your property, could destroy it. You do not want to engage in a struggle with termites as they can be long and costly. Prevention is a much better way to go. That’s why it is very important to invest in termite control if your home is at risk. An investment in a good termite control program will be repaid many times over.
Termite control involves a great deal of skill and experience. Although products are available to the general public, they are no where near as effective as the specialist chemicals and equipment of the experts. Termite control is not a DIY project but one that is well worth hiring a certified termite management professional to perform.
Termite control is an on-going process. Having your home treated once and leaving it at that will not solve the problem. You have to take a long term approach hiring a termite inspector to take a look at your home and use his/her experience to make a full judgement about which areas of the home will be vulnerable to attack by termites.
Termites will attack areas of exposed lumber and thrive in moist, humid places. A termite inspection will find these vulnerable areas and eliminate them so that the problem of termites will never arise.
On this blog we hope to tackle some of the issues involved in controlling termites to give you a better understanding of how you can retain the value and look of your home for the future. Be sure to keep track as this blog develops to further your understanding of termite control.
