Termite Treatment, Prevention, & Control
Techniques For Eliminating Termites & Preventing Future Infestations
Termites tend to eat wood from the inside out, and rarely leave their nest.
Because of this, it can be very difficult for homeowners to detect a termite infestation until swarming or severe damage occurs.
No pest can destroy a home with the patience and thoroughness of a termite infestation. If you have one in your home, you're sure to want it eliminated quickly -- and permanently -- to protect your home from further damage.
Reliable Pest Professionals
If you see swarming termites, discarded wings around window sills, mud tubes, termite-damaged wood, or other signs of an infestation, it's a good idea to call a pest control professional right away.
...but don't panic. Termites work slowly, so you have time to interview good contractors and to shop around for good service.
Your expert should ask about where you're seeing pests, their size and color, and their behaviors. During his inspection, your expert should also identify the species of termite, and provide a thorough report of available treatment options. The best professionals will also make suggestions about identifying preventing future infestations in your home.
Your local NAPCA Specialist is trained and experienced in providing lasting solutions for termite treatment and control for homeowners throughout their service area.
To schedule a termite control quote, contact us by phone or e-mail today! We'll put you in touch with your local NAPA Member, who can create a customized solution for you.
Mulch, Pests, And Your Home
Mulch provides great protection for insects during the winter. While the surface of the mulch may freeze, the story changes as you look just a little below the surface.
Below the surface, temperatures may vary as little as five degrees, while humidity levels approach 100% at all times of the year.
These are ideal conditions for termites and pests of all types -- and a fantastic reason to keep that mulch far away from your home.
Termite Bait Treatments
Termite baits work by taking advantage of trophallaxis among the termites -- the process by which termites regurgitate and share food.
Active ingredients present in these baits include slow-acting stomach poisons and insect growth regulators. When the termite queens within the colony are eliminated by these poisons, the colony dies off.
When Termiticide Is Appropriate
A typical termite protection treatment for a newly constructed 1,500 square-foot home calls for more than 275 gallons of termiticide. This treatment can be counted on to last for about 5 years, after which time it will need reapplication.
This can be a tedious and unnecessarily expensive option for termite treatment -- as well as a limited option for many homes.
If the site your home is built on has a high water table, or soil conditions that are not conducive to termiticide treatments, this will be a difficult or impossible option.
Often, pest control professionals will recommend a combination of extermination and termite control practices when treating your home -- ones that kill termites present in your home, while preventing new infestations from occurring.
Termite Protection From The Outside
Termites enter a home starting from the outside. If they can't get in the house, then they can't damage the structure.
While there is no foolproof way to prevent termites from entering your home, there are a few easy, common-sense things you can do to protect your home:
- Watch Your Soil Line: Subterranean termites (especially) can easily access a home when the soil line rises up too close to your home's siding, which they slip underneath to enter your home. Keep at least a 1' gap between the gradeline of your soil and siding at all locations around your home.
- Close All Crawl Space & Basement Vents: Venting below-grade spaces is an outdated building practice. It's been proven ineffective at drying the crawl space time and again, and is being quickly phased out of building code and practice. Along with being ineffective, these open vents have been an invitation for termites and other pests to enter a home. Sealing these vents will eliminate this common termite access point.
- Eliminate Sources Of Moisture: Dampwood and subterranean termites require high moisture and humidity levels to thrive. Create a less inviting environment for them by repairing leaky pipes, maintaining your gutters and downspouts, and grading your home so water does not pool around your home. Eliminating sources of moisture and standing water may also help to prevent basement flooding and possible foundation damage.
- Seal The Foundation & Slab: Termites only need an opening that's 1/64" in size to access your home -- that's about the diameter of the period at the end of this sentence. The main termite entry points include pipe and wire penetrations in the wall, construction joints, cracks in the concrete, around windows, and (most commonly) bath traps.
- Keep Debris Away From The Home: Never keep firewood stacked close to your home, and be sure to remove any tree stumps in your yard, as they can attract subterranean termites. Likewise, remove any piles of loose debris, lumber, or leaf piles that are located near the house.
- Trim Back Greenery Near The Home: If you have dense foliage pressing against your home, they can provide pathways from the soil to your siding. Trim bushes, shrubs, and other dense greenery periodically.
- Avoid Wood Structures Connected To Your Home: Don't build a wood step leading to your patio door. If you cover this step with outdoor carpeting, you may not detect termite damage for quite some time.
Waterproofing, sealing, and drying your crawl space with a dehumidifier provides the following advantages:
- Deters pests and rodents by creating a physical barrier between them and your home
- Helps to prevent crawl space mold, rot, and mildew
- Increases your home's comfort and energy efficiency by keeping cold winter air from your crawl space
- Transforms the crawl space into usable storage space
- Eliminates allergens for a healthier home environment
Creating A Barrier For Termites
Pest control professionals across the continent agree that controlling moisture in your home is critical for effective termite management.
The most damaging species of termite are attracted by moldy, rotting wood. This kind of wood contains nutrient-rich fungi and is broken down to make it easier for the termites to consume.
Keeping your structural wood dry will prevent mold, rot, and fungal growth -- which is good for your home's structural integrity, while also making it less desirable as termite food.
Three Rules For Termite Prevention
1. Take Away Their Food Source: Using materials that are inedible to termites will take away their motivation to infest your home. These include non-cellulose building materials, sand, crushed rock, glass beads, steel mesh, and pressure-treated wood.
2. Poison Their Food Source: Termites die when they come in contact with treated soils and woods, as well as potentially dealing a death blow to the entire termite colony.
3. Eliminate Their Entrance Points: Sealing the crawl space, replacing drafty basement windows, sealing wall cracks, and grading your soil are all effective ways to prevent termites from finding a way into your home.
After Your Termite Treatment Is Complete, Bear In Mind....
Termite prevention methods do not affect termite populations in the general area. Instead, they simply keep termites away from your home by altering their ability to search for food, locate it, and bring other termites to the area.
If you have treated soil or building materials with a nonrepellent termiticide, you will still sometimes find termites in the area. This does not mean that the repellent has failed to work for you. Termiticides are designed to be slow-acting chemicals -- termites can survive normally after consuming them for a period before perishing.
We Provide Certified, Experience Pest Control Services!
The pest control professionals at NAPCA are dedicated to providing safe, reliable methods of controlling termites and other pests. Each NAPCA Professional has the trainings, certifications, and experience you need to ensure a successful solution for your home.
For a termite control inspection & control cost quote, contact us by phone or e-mail today! We'll connect you with your local NAPCA Representative, who can schedule an appointment for you.
