Like many other types of insect infestations, many people who come across a termite invasion assume that they can purchase a termite treatment locally and do the work themselves. Well, in some cases where there is a problem in a fairly small structure, away from the main property, this might be possible, but termite treatment is an endeavor that requires knowledge and knowing how and really should be left in the hands of A professional.
To help you decide if you should tackle a termite problem yourself, ask yourself: Do you have extensive knowledge of building construction? If the answer is no, you will undoubtedly have great trouble identifying the most likely entry points for termites. Can you safely handle the required specialized equipment? By this I mean tools such as masonry drills, floor treatment rods, etc. Again, if the answer is no or you’re not sure, don’t try this! Remember, this is not a job that involves using a small spray bottle at intervals around the
home – a termite treatment typically involves the use of several hundred gallons of a termiticide that is injected into foundation walls, under slabs, and into the ground along the foundation.
After choosing the termite treatment company, it is essential that you apply the most effective type of treatment. You will generally have a choice regarding the extent of treatment.
Termite colonies will generally be made up of hundreds of thousands of tiny pests, all foraging for food in a wide range of different directions. With this in mind, having a termite treatment performed only in limited locations could be a false economy because there is a high chance that termites will simply find another point of entry into your home. Also, most termite treatment companies will not offer any guarantees for this type of treatment.
As an alternative to this, some companies will have a treatment known as perimeter treatment whereby they will deal with a non-repellent termiticidal solution around the entire foundation wall of the home and at the same time apply a spot treatment of any infested or high risk location. . areas within the property. It is important that if you decide to opt for such a termite treatment that you ensure that the company provides you with a service contract that guarantees that any future termite infestation will be exterminated at no additional cost.
However, if you have a termite problem, treating the entire property is definitely the best option. So what are the best termite treatments?
Termite treatments fall into two distinct categories, baits and liquids. Liquid termiticides that are injected into the soil have been used for a long time. These are used to create a barrier that prevents termites from invading the home and termites that are already on the property cannot return to the nest and will eventually die as well. However, these solutions cannot actually kill termites, they only repel them. Newer chemicals will kill termites when they try to move through treated soil. For this reason, this type of chemical treatment tends to have a higher first-time success rate.
The second option is to prime. Here, a termite-lethal solution is buried underground in a cylindrical plastic trap along with a food source, such as paper or cardboard, to which the poison has been applied. The result is that the termite nest is slowly eradicated. The bait can be used in isolation in some cases or in conjunction with a liquid treatment, depending on the nature of the infestation.
As a general rule of thumb, as long as your termite treatment is performed thoroughly and following the manufacturer’s instructions, your home should be protected from further termite invasion for a full 5 years. However, this can vary and depends on factors such as environmental conditions and the number of termites. Any problem with termites within the first year or so in most cases has nothing to do with the failure of the actual chemical treatment, but rather with the termites discovering any small gaps that may have been overlooked during the treatment.
The use of any type of chemical makes us think about the question of whether they are immediately harmful to humans or animals. All chemicals used in termite treatments are thoroughly tested. Therefore, it is safe to say that none of the termiticides used is of significant concern to either party’s health or the environment. For anyone who has real concerns about its use, the bait is probably the best option.
