Should you drill holes in your house for termites?
So, drilling holes is something you are interested in. When termite treatment drilling should be used and why? So, one of the most notable reasons for you to drill holes, is to insert repellents and/or baits inside the ground or your house’s wooden walls. And is it effective to drill holes in your house? Absolutely.
How to get rid of termites in the House?
In the first case, the holes are drilled and the insecticide is poured inside to prevent further infestations and completely stop termites from appearing. In the seconds case, you drill holes into or close to the nests, apply an active insecticide and that way you get rid of the nest immediately.
What does a termite exit hole look like?
A termite exit hole will be round, one-eighth inch or smaller and filled with a brown, plaster-like substance. Exit holes made by termites are usually found in dry wood during the spring and summer months when it becomes warm enough for termites to leave the nest.
How to protect concrete slabs from termites?
Drilling concrete slabs and injecting chemical is one of the ways to protect a property from termites, and then there are obviously variations of those treatment methods depending on the type of construction and requirements of the treatment. However, there have to be a few specifications met to ensure it is done correctly.
Is drilling necessary for termite treatment?
Answer: The answer to this question is also in our How To Do A Termite Treatment Article. For your garage, porch, patios, or other contiguous slabs against the home, you will need to get the termiticide underneath the concrete against the foundation. To do this you will need a hammer drill with a 1/2" x 18" drill bit.
How deep should trench be for termite treatment?
Soil treatment for termite entails digging a six-inch-by-six-inch trench around the perimeter of the home, applying the solution to the soil, and allowing it to rest before replacing the excavated soil.
How long does drilling for termites last?
On average, termite treatment lasts about 5 years. Liquid termite treatment can last five years or more, whereas termite bait stations only last one year and need to be maintained annually.
How likely are termites to come back after treatment?
Sadly, no kind of treatment offers a permanent solution for eliminating termites in your house. Termites are quite resilient and will always find a way back into your home given a chance. However, usually, it should take at least five years before termites can finally find their way back into your home.
How do you dig a trench for termites?
0:351:31How To Trench For Termites with Termidor SC - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipEither way you'll want to dig a trench six inches wide and six inches deep prepare. Your materialMoreEither way you'll want to dig a trench six inches wide and six inches deep prepare. Your material pour it into the trench. And then backfill. We use a product called by NIT.
Can you apply Termidor without a trench?
Answer: Termidor SC can only be applied to the top of the soil when you are using it as a perimeter pest control treatment against ants. If you are using Termidor SC to treat for active termites, or to protect your home against termites, you must apply the product into a trench.
Where do they drill holes for termite treatment?
Among these termite treatments includes chemical treatment to the foundation of your home. The treatment begins with a professional termite control inspecting your house. He will then drill holes in walls, floors, and the ground around your house. Once done, they will insert a chemical into the holes.
Are termite bait stations worth it?
More importantly, they're designed to not only kill termites active within the traps, but also to kill off the actual nest too. This is what makes termite baiting stations really effective. Not only are they an affordable long term solution, but they are incredibly effective at killing off large colonies of termites.
How successful is termite treatment?
Fumigating is a highly effective way of controlling termites inside the home, and it almost always has a 100% success rate. Even though it does require you to leave your home, it is by far the quickest way to control an infestation. Fumigation often eliminates other pests at any other stage of life inside the home.
Why do I still see termites after treatment?
You may notice winged termites, called swarmers, after your home has received a thorough termiticide application. This can be a normal occurrence due to the biology of these insects. They can continue to swarm in the same location for three to four weeks after a chemical application has been applied. This is normal.
How do you find a termite nest?
What to Look For. Pencil-thick to inch-wide tunnels on foundation and crawl-space walls (above) shelter subterranean termites traveling to and from the nest. If you see cream-colored insects when you break open the tubes, your house is infested. If you don't, the colony may be dead or using another route inside.
How do you tell if a house has been treated for termites?
0:082:30How to tell if a house is treated for termites - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe closer they are together the more recent the treatment older treatments apparently were drilledMoreThe closer they are together the more recent the treatment older treatments apparently were drilled at two feet apart. The new treatments are drilled at about one foot to fourteen inches apart.
How far apart should I drill holes when drilling a patio slab for termites?
I have a concrete slab patio at the rear of my house. How far apart should I drill holes? Can I just pore the solution in the hole? How far apart should he holes be and how much solution per hole? Thanks!
Answer
When performing a termite treatment and treating concrete slabs, the holes should be drilled about 2-3 inches away from the house, and 10 inches apart. Typically a 1/2 inch drill bit is used. You can fill the holes using a funnel or a one gallon hand pump sprayer with the nozzle turned so the sprayer shoots out a pinstream.
How far apart and deep should you drill in the cement slab for a termite treatment?
To do this you will need a hammer drill with a 1/2" x 18" drill bit. You drill holes throughout the concrete about 3-4 inches away from the wall or foundation, and about every 10"-12" apart. Once the holes are drilled, you fill at the same rate you did the trench, 4 gallons per 10 feet. To fill these I would recommend using the one gallon sprayer on a "pin stream" setting so you can force the liquid down the hole and not splash it everywhere. You can also use a funnel and pour the termiticide down the holes. It is difficult to get 4 gallons per 10 feet in the holes, so it is important that you use a long drill bit, at least 18" long so you can bore out enough dirt to hold the termiticide. Once the holes are filled all you need to do is patch them with a concrete patch filler you can buy at Home Depot or you can use our Trebor plugs that will close the hole with no concrete mess.
How many gallons of termite per 10 feet?
It is difficult to get 4 gallons per 10 feet in the holes, so it is important that you use a long drill bit, at least 18" long so you can bore out enough dirt to hold the termiticide.
How far apart should I drill holes in concrete?
You drill holes throughout the concrete about 3-4 inches away from the wall or foundation, and about every 10"-12" apart. Once the holes are drilled, you fill at the same rate you did the trench, 4 gallons per 10 feet. To fill these I would recommend using the one gallon sprayer on a "pin stream" setting so you can force the liquid down ...
What Is Termite Drilling?
Termite drilling involves drilling directly into the foundation of the termite-infested building. This process allows the termiticide to reach the area of the infestation directly.
Is Drilling Necessary for Termite Treatment?
Subterranean termites are the most common type of termite and cause billions of dollars in damage each year. These termites can eat books, paper products, cellulose-based products, and other plant-based goods. When trying to get rid of these termites, the recommendation is that you directly treat the infestation.
How To Use Drilling To Treat Termites
If you determine that drilling is necessary for termite treatment you need to locate the infestation. Once you locate your termite infestation, you need to drill into the drywall or infested wood then apply the product. Drill holes into the drywall about 18 inches above the floor and between each stud of the infested area.
Other Types of Termite Treatments
In addition to drilling, there are other termite treatments to rid your property of a termite infestation. Some common types are rodding, chemical treatment, bait treatment, tenting, fumigation, and heat treatment.
Related Questions
A number of factors will influence the cost to treat your home for termites. These include the size of the colony, the type of termite, the severity of the infestation, and the location of the infestation. Some termite control professionals will also take into account the size of the structure that requires treatment.
How far from the wall can you put termite in a hole?
Hole Spacings! When holes are drilled to inject termiticide under a concrete slab to treat the footing of a wall, the holes cannot be more than 150mm from the wall. This home had holes exceeding 300mm. Needless to say, the original treatment failed and the home was re infested.
Why do termites need holes?
Holes are often drilled around a perimeter to ensure a complete chemical barrier to prevent termites getting in .
How to protect a house from termites?
Drilling concrete slabs and injecting chemical is one of the ways to protect a property from termites, and then there are obviously variations of those treatment methods depending on the type of construction and requirements of the treatment. However, there have to be a few specifications met to ensure it is done correctly.
Why Do Professionals Drill Holes For Termite Treatment?
If you are puzzled why professionals drill holes for termite treatment, then you’re not alone!
Are These Holes Patched Up After Termite Treatment?
If you’re worried about the holes after termite treatment, then you can rest assured.
How often are chemical injection holes drilled?
Holes were drilled every 12 inches around the perimeter for the chemical injection. The holes were filled with standard non-expansive grout. The installer said of this ‘oh, they pop out all the time’. ‘If you’re doing any sort of construction and banging around they come out’.
Why were holes drilled on the interior slab?
Why were holes drilled on the interior slab? The termite company said this was standard operating procedure, to do both sides of each exterior foundation, and also any interior slab walls that show evidence of termite damage.
Can termite exterminators be used on concrete?
it looks like the termite exterminators you have hired were not professionals. Usually termite control companies inspect property before choosing a suitable termite treatment. The injection method is most commonly used where there is extensive woodwork on wall, or where the area is highly infected by termite. Injection treatment is definitely not suitable for concrete buildings as shown in pic. The more suitable treatment can be tanting for such construction type
Is a termite plug water tight?
The typical plug appears about 10% smaller than the hole it is in, and it rattles if you wiggle it. This is not water tight, not radon resistant, not chemical resistant and most importantly the gaps are big enough to allow the entry of termites (the termiticide used is non-repellent). See also here.
Can you use foaming termite in cans?
An infested wall needs to have drywall removed, the nest removed, and any studs, bottom & top plates removed as well. If the infestation is not all that bad, you can drill holes in the wall and use foaming termiticide in cans to eradicate them.
Do termite exterminators inspect property?
it looks like the termite exterminators you have hired were not professionals. Usually termite control companies inspect property before choosing a suitable termite treatment. The injection method is most commonly used where there is extensive woodwork on wall, or where the area is highly infected by termite.
Can you drill holes in a garage?
As I understand it, the only time you drill holes inside a home is if you are in a garage with the garage being at a level (usually lower) different from the rest of the foundation, OR…if it is an external wall where there is an infestation in the wall. Yet, if the exterminator is not properly inspecting, you may find later on that the entire wall is infested.
Pros and Cons
- So, drilling holes is something you are interested in. When termite treatment drilling should be used and why? So, one of the most notable reasons for you to drill holes, is to insert repellents and/or baits inside the ground or your house’s wooden walls. And is it effective to drill holes in y…
Effective Or Not?
- If you would ask a professional the question above, then the answer would be: “Yes, yes of course!” Indeed, mostly, the further you go in pest-control, the better. In our case, we are going so far, that we are even drilling holes in the house! You are transporting the insecticide right into the termites’ habitat, there’s not many thing more effective than that. Though the speed of the progr…
Useful Articles
- If you interested in more information of termites we recommend you to read the following articles: 1. All types of termites. Are they harmful to humans? Can they bite you? And what is the difference between drywood and subterraneanones? 2. What does swarmers of different species look like: drywood, subterranean, formosan? 3. Signs of infestation outside and in the house: in …
Helpful Video
- This video show termite treatment drilling holes in concrete around a home for subterranean termites:
Conclusion
- All in all, drilling holes in your building, especially if you have an ongoing infestation should be done with care. You don’t want to fail and re-drill a hole, do you? Still, all thing considered, the method you’ve just read about is a really good and effective way and can not only be used for removing the currently existing nests, but, as it has already been stated above, for preventing th…