The Basics Of Termite Control

Termite control is a continuously evolving practice, but you cannot go wrong when you follow the basics. It all starts with the annual check up, detection, and the implementation of control methods, of which you have two that are the most popular: baits and liquid treatments. Here’s what you can expect from the termite control process:

Determining the species

Subterranean termites are the most common species in the US and they are the most widely distributed across the territory. In fact, they are found in every state except for Alaska, and they are responsible for the most structural damage every year. There are also several subspecies in the subterranean larger group, such as the Asian, Formosan, western and eastern varieties for example. A termite control specialist will be aware of all major and minor termite species that may be present in the area, and apply specific treatments that can be the most effective against each of them.

The inspection process

The inspection process is perhaps the most important step in termite treatment. A professional pest control specialist will pay careful attention here, because if this step goes wrong, the treatment may be ineffective potentially leaving the company liable. As such, do not be surprised if your contractor will spend extra time on this step in order to find the main points of entry into the home, the main areas of infestation, and potentially the location of the nest on the property.

Applying baits

Bait stations are a great way to destroy a nest. They are placed around your property in order to entice any termites that are foraging for food. Once these termites come into contact with the bait station, they will take the poisoned cellulose back to the nest. This will depress the termite population, and over time, as more and more bait is spread through the colony, the pesticide eventually reaches the queen, destroying the capacity of the colony to reproduce.

Liquid treatments

Baits are great at destroying a colony, but it is a longer term process that can take weeks or months. A liquid treatment on the other hand creates a non-repellent pesticide barrier in the ground around your home, killing any termites that travel to and from your property. Eventually, the termites will start avoiding your home and look for other areas to forage. Depending on the treatment, it may also work similarly to a bait station system, where the termites take the pesticide back into the nest, eventually killing it off. However, for best results, you can use both a liquid treatment and a bait station system.

If you have a termite infestation or if you would like to know more about termite treatments, contact us today.