Protecting your home against termite infestations can be one of the most important financial investments you will make. Homeowners lose billions of dollars cumulatively each year to termite damage, and on an individual basis, a homeowner can expect to spend thousands of dollars dealing with a single infestation and repairing the damage it has done to the home. In this article, we’re going to go over some frequently asked questions and hopefully help you minimize the odds of a termite infestation.

Can I treat termite infestation myself?

Subterranean termite infestations require specialized equipment and chemicals in order to be removed from the home, and while there are some DIY product options on the market, it’s best to leave the treatment up to a pro. If a treatment is applied incompletely, it will not effectively stop the infestation, and since it’s hard to tell when and where the termites are in the home, an incomplete removal can often end up costing you a lot more than a professional treatment.

How dangerous are termiticides?

Both the termiticides and the applications used today are much safer than they used to be in the past. In fact, there is almost no chance that you will be exposed to the chemicals used in treating subterranean termite infestations, if they are applied correctly. Your pest control specialist will also instruct you on how to stay safe during and after the treatment is applied.

Which treatment option is best?

When it comes to subterranean termites, there are really only two treatment options – the chemical barrier and the baiting system. The chemical barrier consists of a termiticide that is injected into the ground around the foundation of the home. The termiticide will seep deep into the earth, and it will cut off the connection between your home and the termite colony. The baiting system on the other hand is composed of a series of plastic containers that are placed around the home. These containers will have termiticide-laced cellulose inside them, which the termites will eat and share inside the colony, leading to its eventual collapse.

Usually, the two options are used in tandem, with the barrier stopping an infestation in its tracks, and the baiting system killing off the colony over the span of a few months. If you would like to know more about these treatment options, or if you have an infestation that needs to be removed, contact us today.