Termite Control
It's estimated that, in the United States, termite infestation causes more than $5 billion in damage each year. In most cases, insurance plans don't cover this damage. This makes termite control a pressing issue for any property owner.
How to Know If Your Home Is Infested
If your home is infested, you might spot termites crawling across your floors, walls or windows. Most termites measure less than an inch in length. The kings and queens of a termite colony are typically larger and are often longer than an inch in size. The termites that are easiest to spot are the reproductives, which are notable for having two pairs of wings.
When a termite colony has reached maturity, winged termites might be seen swarming around windows and doors of infested homes. Like moths, winged termites have an affinity for light sources, so they might cluster around lamps and light fixtures. Winged termites eventually shed their wings; piles of discarded wings around your home are another indicator of an infestation.
Termite colonies also leaves droppings, which can cause paint to crack and bubble. If you've noticed that the paint on your walls is disfigured in this way, it could indicate a termite problem.
When termites consume wood, it's often done from the inside out. As a result, wood that is infested with termites will sound hollow when it's tapped.
Termites might also leave mud tubes on your home's walls. These are typically seen on the structure's exterior.
Types of Termite Control
Termites can be controlled using liquids or baits.
Liquid pesticides—known as termiticides—are typically applied to the soil, and they're used to create a chemical barrier that prevents subterranean termites from accessing a building. This type of termite control also wipes out termites already living in the building, since it prevents them from returning to the soil.
Baiting is the process of attracting termites by installing paper, cardboard, or other types of food they find appealing. This food is laced with a slow-acting lethal poison. The baits are typically installed below ground, but they are sometimes positioned over mud tubes. Termites that are out looking for food will consume the bait and share it with others in the colony. As a result, baiting can cause a colony's numbers to dwindle significantly over time.
The Best Solutions for Termite Control
Dealing with a termite infestation can be tricky and complex. And there's a lot at stake, since termites can cause tremendous property damage.
Over-the-counter products are available that promise to treat termite infestation. Bait stations may be purchased online, along with termiticides by brands such as Termidor and Dominion 2L. Vinegar and salt water may also be used to kill termites.
However, it's important to realize that termites can be stubborn adversaries, and eradicating them requires specific knowledge and equipment. Expertise in building construction is particularly helpful in identifying all the possible entry points for the invaders. Ending a termite infestation could require many gallons of termiticide, and the use of equipment such as masonry drills, soil-treatment rods, and pumps.
It's certainly possible to take a do-it-yourself approach to termite control. But it’s often faster and more efficient when tackled by skilled and experienced professionals.
Services Provided By an Exterminator
An exterminator will scrutinize your property and determine the best approach to take to tackle the infestation.
If you have a problem with subterranean termites, an exterminator might choose to apply termiticide to soil underneath and around your home. Bait stations may also be used, and this can be the most effective route to take if you’re dealing with a very large colony.
If drywood within your home has been infested with termites, an exterminator might choose to treat the wood directly with termiticide. Heat treatment and gas fumigation are also useful approaches to take when tackling drywood infestation.
Cost and Length of Time Required for Professional Extermination
Hiring a professional exterminator to control a termite infestation can cost anywhere from $800 to $7,000. The cost you pay will depend on several factors, including the size of your home, the extent of the infestation, and the treatment approach.
The length of time required for successful termite extermination will depend on the size of the colony and the treatment being used.
Fumigation, for example, takes two to four days, but since it involves the use of toxic gas, the house will need to be tented, and you’ll need to relocate until the treatment is complete.
Installing bait stations can take just a few hours, and it doesn’t require you to evacuate the home. However, in many cases, baiting is a long-term strategy that requires that the bait stations be monitored. This approach can yield excellent results, but it can take several months for a colony to be destroyed when using this method.