Termite Control - How to Prevent and Treat Subterranean Termites

Termite Control - How to Prevent and Treat Subterranean Termites

Blog Article

Termites are serious pests of wood-frame buildings and deserve professional attention. The University of Kentucky's Entomology Department receives many questions about the treatment of existing infestations with subterranean termites.

Termite control in Jodhpur treatments are best performed by knowledgeable firms with proper equipment. Treatments involve applying surface sprays or injected foams into wall voids, soil and slabs. Always follow label directions for the safe use of any product.

Preventing Termites
The best way to prevent termites is to follow good building practices. This includes not burying wood materials under a building, avoiding direct contact between soil and wood, using treated wood for structures that are in moist areas, and maintaining proper ventilation to reduce moisture levels.

In addition to good building practices, it is advisable to have a professional perform chemical pretreatment when purchasing a property or having a new structure built. This treatment is effective in preventing subterranean termites from entering the building. Be sure to read the pesticide label and have it applied by a qualified applicator to assure effectiveness.

Termite treatments can include surface sprays or injected foams. These will kill existing termites and soak into the wood to prevent future infestations. Bait stations can also be used to treat known points of activity. They contain slow-acting baits that foraging termites take back to their colonies and share with other members of the colony.

Termite Inspections
When termites strike, they can cause extensive and costly damage. The best way to protect your home from termite damage is to get regular inspections and treatment if necessary.

A termite inspector will thoroughly inspect a property, examining every nook and cranny for evidence of termites. This includes basements (where applicable), attics, closets, drywall, baseboards, doors and frames, windows, and crawl spaces. Special attention will be given to kitchens, bathrooms, and utility rooms because they can provide pathways for subterranean termites to access wood in the house.

The inspector will probe and tap on all wooden surfaces, looking for hollow sounding areas and blistered or warped surfaces. They will also look at any areas where wood to soil contact may exist such as sheds, deck posts, and timber retaining walls. They will also check out the surrounding grounds, including trees, stumps, fences, and garden beds. Termites are opportunists, so they can invade homes with no visible signs of infestation.

Termite Treatments
If termites are detected in the house, they must be treated immediately. Severe infestations can lead to structural damage and make the building unsafe. It costs a lot to repair the damage and replace damaged furniture.

Several termite control methods are available, including soil-applied treatments and bait stations. These treatments are usually less expensive than repairing termite damage and they can provide some level of protection for years.

These products include a combination of ingredients that are slow-acting and work by disrupting the balance in the insect’s gut. The bait station method works by placing a termite-attracting wood-based bait near the termites’ nests, which they then take back to the colony and share with other termites.

For severe termite infestations, your pest control professional may recommend fumigation. This is an extermination process that involves sealing off the entire house and pumping in toxic gas to kill the termites. It is typically more inconvenient than other treatment options and requires the family to leave their home for a few days.

Termite Prevention
The best way to prevent termites is to eliminate wood-to-ground contact, store firewood away from foundations and make sure gutters and downspouts function well, diverting moisture away from the building's foundation. Regular inspections by a qualified pest control firm can also greatly reduce the need for more aggressive treatment options.

Window and door frames that stick more than usual can indicate a serious termite infestation. Squeaky floorboards are another sign of trouble, indicating that the joists beneath the floors have been damaged by termites. The presence of earthen shelter tubes along the foundation walls and in crawlspaces is an indication of a significant infestation.

Liquid soil treatments can be very effective in preventing termite infestations by creating a barrier between the ground and the structure. The treatment consists of digging a trench around the perimeter of the structure and injecting a liquid insecticide into it. The trench is then filled in and the area treated by a trained pest control technician.