Termite Control Methods Every Homeowner Should Know

Are you concerned about termite damage? If so, you’re not the only one. Many property owners are in the same queue. Various studies on termite damage state that, based on the size of termite colonies, they can cause a building’s structural damage to a great extent. They spread quickly across a building and can grow large in number in a matter of days. So, as a homeowner, you must take every precaution and act rapidly.

This post focuses on how you can recognize termites on your property and take preventive actions. It also tells why you should use termite treatments as needed.

Identify termites at your place

You can not always stay alert only to discover termites at your place. But, you may be a little careful whenever you see even one termite or look-alike insects.

It’s rare to see them coming out of the soil, mud tubes, or food supplies they are burrowing through. Therefore, most people are unaware they have termites until they observe a swarm, an adult female termite that can fly or discover damage while building.

So, if you notice swarmers, do not take them lightly and instead do a thorough examination of your furniture and other possible affected areas.

Preventive actions to control termites

Several methods you can use to control termites, no matter how terrible the infestation is. Two primary types of control methods are popular. The first is pre-construction and another one is post-construction termite treatment. Let’s have a look:

Pre-construction termite treatment

• You can easily move into your new house or office with a pre-construction termite treatment service because your property can be termite-free beforehand.
• Before the site is covered with concrete slabs, a water-based termiticide is applied to treat the soil layer directly beneath the floor and foundation.
• The required chemicals are applied on the upper layers and on both sides of the foundation channel.

You can feel secure knowing your house or office is safe from termite attacks. It’s undoubtedly the best way to prevent termites. The method is also simple, and there is no possibility of any property damage because there are no barriers like furniture or walls. It is also cost-effective and can provide safety and security to your property for a long time.

Post-construction termite treatments

Multiple methods fall under this segment of termite treatment. Some are effective alone, while some work better when combined with others. Following are the frequently used control procedures:

Using pesticides

Pesticide treatment is the most popular and efficient procedure to control termites. Even with many new treatment methods, applying pesticides still produces better results. But, one main problem is that since pesticides are highly toxic, a person who doesn’t have much knowledge about them shouldn’t use them. It’s better to leave it to someone who knows the correct procedure.

Although, pest control specialists these days treat termite infestations using organic, environmentally safe chemicals and insecticides.

Using termite baits

The bait strategy works well when you intend to mislead the termites if the insecticides do not produce the result as desired. To draw the termites, you can place baits near your home or on land where they are frequent in number. These baits contain chemicals that kill termites right after they consume them.

Many studies are being conducted to improve termite bait treatments. This method is also helpful in killing termite colonies in large numbers. Some notable active ingredients used in the baits are Hexaflumuron, noviflumuron, and lufenuron, that act as termite killers.

Soil treatment

Termites are primarily found in subterranean regions, where they move from one location to another in search of food. Soil treatment can be one of the most effective ways to eradicate them. You can apply pesticides to the precise area of land where you detect termites.

You can apply pesticides to the areas of the house where you believe that those are the possible entrance of termites. When all the pathways are closed, termites from the ground won’t be able to access your house and do structural damage.

These are the commonly performed and followed termite control methods. However, depending on the severity of the infestation, you should take the necessary actions. If you think a pest control team would be perfect for bringing the situation under control, you can go ahead and contact them.

Why should you hire professionals for termite treatment?

Knowing this-and-that doesn’t make a homeowner an expert in removing termites. When you hire a professional, you could relax knowing that your property is now in an expert’s hand. Professionals offer risk-free products, advanced methods and expert cleaning for the best result.

Your responsibilities as a property owner

As a responsible owner of your residence or commercial site, you should also follow some safety measures to protect your valuable things.

• If you are a homeowner, remember to remove possible termite food sources like wood piles and papers (termites also devour currency notes. So be careful!).
• Fix moisture issues if you find any.
• Take care of roof or plumbing leaks.
• Also, a reminder once again, before building a house, make sure to take pre-construction termite treatment service for the ultimate protection.

Conclusion

Termites are a nuisance to the house even if they do not transmit diseases to people and pets. But you can’t also let them devour your valuable wooden constructions. Moreover, the most problematic side is that property owners can not identify a termite infestation until it hurts their belongings significantly. Therefore when dealing with a termite infestation, using a combo of termite control strategies will be best. To discuss your choices, consult with a local pest control expert.