Termites can be a homeowner’s worst nightmare. They feed on most housing materials, like wood and cellulose. Unless you have a reliable prevention and treatment plan, these social insects could be eating away on your house—quite literally!
Like most homeowners, you’re probably wondering what you can do to stop termites from invading and destroying your valuable home. For termite prevention and treatment tips, check out this a quick guide.
Understanding a Typical Termites Infestation
Did you know that one in every five homes in the United States has termites?
Unfortunately, once an infestation becomes apparent, it could be too late. It takes at least five years for a colony in your house to grow and cause considerable damage to it. This does allow for ample time to control them—but once they get out of hand, you are at the mercy of the type of termites, its colony size, the structure of your house, and any available food sources in your home.
So, why not prevent this infestation in the first place? Here are some helpful pest control tips you can practice for underground and flying termites.
Preventive Measures
You can only apply preventive measures if you are confident there are no termites in your house. Prevention is the best way to discourage these annoying insects from invading your home in the first place.
But how can you do it? Well, you first have to know what kind of colony you’re targeting against.
Type #1: Underground Termites
The subterranean termites are notorious for building their colonies underground all over the U.S. They will dig up channels underground and into homes as they search for food sources. If you have any cracks or open sections on the floor, potential termite colonies can form tunnels through them to get to an available food source.
Type #2: Flying Termites
In a flying termites’ colony, winged termites are in charge of reproduction. They fly in swarms as the king looks for a suitable queen. After mating, these social insects look for new spots to create their next colonies. If you notice any termites around your home, chances are that their swarms are not too far—if not already in your home.
The best thing you can do to prevent underground and flying termites is to have routine checks around your home where you can caulk or close up any cracks, holes, or openings to the outdoors.
The Importance of Regular Inspections
If you suspect you have termites, you should consult with a pest control expert. The expert will conduct a regular comprehensive inspection of your home. Here, he will look for any visible signs of the pests, such as:
- Mud tubes
- Wood crumbling (frass)
- Peeling paint
- Dead termites
The regular inspection covers all the principal areas of your home where an infestation may be prevalent, like your kitchen, attic, utility spaces, the basement, and the garage. Your inspector will also check any nearby property for any signs of termites’ activity.
Termite Treatment Plans
After inspection, the termite expert may use or recommend doing any of the following termite treatment plans to eradicate the menaces.
Plan #1: Creating a Liquid Barrier for The Termites
A pesticide barrier around your house can remain active for up to 10 years. You can also spray your foundation and the lower section of the walls. Then, any termites will die when they come into contact with the liquid. The best part is that a liquid barrier should have no smell or color and spreads throughout a colony easily through direct contact.
Plan #2: Poisoned Baiting and Monitoring
A liquid barrier works best outside—but when they’re inside, it’s easiest to use poisoned bait to disrupt the termites’ molting process. Indoors, you could place small traps throughout the house to capture and kill unwanted insects.
Instead of spraying the inside of your home with pesticides, another option might be to install baiting stakes. Baiting stakes go into the ground around your home. When the termites see it, they will carry it back to its colony. That way, you will get the bait to the queen, which is most effective in controlling the numbers with fewer chemicals.
Plan #3: Using Particular Products
Apply recommended products like Dry Foam to the cracks and crevices around your home. These products are simple and will not create any wet spots. Instead, the foam will mesh to where the termites are hiding and eliminate them. Other products might be the chemical found in orange oil, which can successfully kill the colonies on contact.
While various products and treatments are a great way to keep termites at bay, you’ll eventually need to conduct another inspection and repeat the process as needed. You’ll also want to make sure that the products you’re using are safe for use around children, pets, and gardens. That is why working with a reliable termite control expert is a must.
Your termite expert will use the best products in the correct quantities for sound control. Furthermore, they will also give you important tips on how you can keep your house pest-free for years to come.
