Treatment FAQ

how is a termite treatment done

by Prof. Joel Ondricka Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

There are three standard methods of treatment for termites:

  1. Soil Treatment: Since subterranean termites live in the soil, termite treatments are used on the surrounding soil to...
  2. Wood Treatment: Pest control professionals can use a variety of different wood treatments to help kill any existing...
  3. Bait Systems: Bait termite treatment systems are an effective way...

A typical treatment may involve hundreds of gallons of a liquid pesticide, known as a termiticide, injected into the ground along the foundation, beneath concrete slabs, and within foundation walls. In short, termite treatment is a job for professionals.Sep 13, 2018

Full Answer

What is the most effective type of termite treatment?

What Is The Most Effective Termite Treatment?

  • Pretreatments. Pretreatments are termite treatments that are performed during the building phase of new construction.
  • Barrier Treatments. Barrier treatments form a literal barrier in the ground between termites and your home. ...
  • Liquid Treatments. ...
  • Bait Stations. ...
  • You May Also Be Interested In: Why Are Cockroaches So Resilient? ...

What is the home remedy for getting rid of termites?

  • Check for plumbing leaks, improper grading and leaky air conditioners to ensure that the ground near your home stays dry.
  • Eliminate as much wood-to-ground contact as possible.
  • If possible, replace the soil around your house with sand if you have wood touching the ground. ...
  • Avoid stacking firewood against your house and remove tree stumps from your yard.

More items...

How to get rid of termites with home remedies?

  • Put the furniture out in the sun from time to timePolish the furniture regularly
  • Polish the furniture regularly
  • Keep the soil around the house dry
  • Ensure that the wood is not too close to damp soil
  • Keep the windows open for lots of air and sunlight etc.

How long does termite treatment typically take?

This time includes roughly 6 hours of fumigation and the waiting period of 24 to 72 hours after termite tenting. The entire termite tenting process lasts a week for larger homes. Termite tenting protects your home from termites for between 4 and 10 years, but yearly inspections are essential.

image

How is termite treatment applied?

0:053:58How To Do a Subterranean Termite Treatment - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipProducts this means the termites do not realize the barrier is in the soil. They walk through theMoreProducts this means the termites do not realize the barrier is in the soil. They walk through the product freely picking it up on their bodies.

What is the best method to treat termites?

The most common technique for treating termite infestations is the soil-applied barrier treatment. Termiticides used for barrier treatments must be specifically labeled for that use.

What can I expect after termite treatment?

Once the treatment has been made, the termites can no longer humidify their galleries and they start to die. The control is complete when the wood dries out to the point where the humidity is so low that termites cannot survive. In some homes, this takes place rapidly and in others, it may take several weeks.

Can you be home when they spray for termites?

In most situations it is possible to remain home during termite treatment. If your home can be successfully treated without structural fumigation then you do not have to move out or do a lot of prep work.

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.

Do termites come back after treatment?

Will termites come back after treatment? Termites may return after treatments. Luckily, companies like Orkin and Terminix promise to re-treat at no extra cost if you have a termite plan with them.

How long do you stay out of house after termite tenting?

You'll have to make arrangements to be away from your property for a minimum of 24 hours but some fumigation appointments may take as long as 72 hours to completely dissipate the chemicals inside.

How do I clean my house after termite fumigation?

Use a damp cloth to wipe surfaces around the house to get rid of any dust and fumigants. After using the cloth discard it immediately. Make a 50-50 solution of water and vinegar. With the solution repeat the wiping process not forgetting about the cabinets, doorknobs, drawers, and cupboards.

How long does it take to get rid of termites after treatment?

When applied by a professional, termites typically start dying off within a day or two. However, due to the severity of the infestation, it can take a little longer for the treatment to reach the queen and fully kill the colony.

How do I prepare for termite fumigation?

Termite Tenting: 5 Fumigation Preparation TipsUnlock Everything. Typically, homeowner instinct is to lock everything behind you. ... Shut Off the Gas. ... Check the Fine Print. ... Seal Up or Take Out. ... Don't Leave the Linens. ... Plant and Animal Duty. ... Get a Place to Stay. ... Stretch Out Supplies.

Do I need to wash all my dishes after fumigation?

It is unnecessary to wash dishes, linens, clothing, etc., as the fumigant is a gas that will dissipate from the structure and its contents. Drawers and cabinets will be left open for the aeration process.

How toxic is tenting for termites?

Health Effects of Tenting Sulfuryl fluoride is a central nervous system depressant, and is highly toxic to humans, animals and plants. While remaining in the home during termite tenting means certain death for animals, humans and plants, sulfuryl fluoride rapidly dissipates once the tent is removed from the home.

How does termite treatment work?

How Termite Treatment Works. Termites cause billions of dollars in damage each year to homes across the U.S. They’re a nuisance to your health, your house, and your property value and getting rid of these pesky invaders is harder than it seems. In fact, termite treatment is one of the most-requested professional pest services in ...

What is bait system?

Bait Systems. Bait systems are designed to lure termites away from your property with a control agent that’s meant to kill off the colony. The bait stations are placed around your property and the agent is carried back to the nest by worker termites who believe it to be food.

Do termites eat damp wood?

Dampwood termites only eat moist wood so they’re more often found outdoors than inside homes. Signs of a termite infestation typically include finding wood shavings, noticing small holes in walls or framing, and even seeing skeletons or wing remnants of termites in your property.

Is termite treatment a professional service?

In fact, termite treatment is one of the most-requested professional pest services in the country and in many cases, homeowners could have saved themselves time and money by turning to professionals first.

Can drywood termites live in the attic?

Since drywood termites can live in furniture, walls, and even your attic, exterminators may need to tent your entire property then use a fumigant that penetrates all wood surfaces in the home, killing all pests. These treatments are specially designed to leave no residue behind, but they’re often the most inconvenient.

Subterranean Termite Treatment

Named after their preference to build their nests underground, subterranean termites often enter the home from areas where wood comes in contact with the ground, by squeezing through cracks as small as a business card or by using the mud tubes they construct to travel from their below ground colonies to infest wood in your home.

Drywood Termites Treatment

Drywood termites don’t need a connection to the ground in order to thrive. They are known to travel up to a mile to find a home, and will establish a colony wherever they can find a preferred source of wood.

Dampwood Termites Treatment

Much larger than their subterranean counterparts, dampwood termite soldiers sport very large pincers on their head that are used to fight off predators. As their name suggests, they prefer to build colonies in damp or decaying wood with a high moisture content and moist wood in contact with the ground such as logs and stumps.

Monitoring and Bait Stations

Monitoring stations are installed at key points around your property to determine the extent of termite activity. Once confirmed, bait stations are set up to attract termites. Bait stations house chemical materials that termites ingest and carry back to the colony, spreading them to their counterparts and addressing colonies at the source.

Gas Fumigation

This method is primarily used to control drywood termites as the treatment can reach termites living deep within a home. Fumigants permeate throughout the home and disrupt a termite’s metabolism once inhaled.

Termiticide Application

Termite infestations often need some form of termiticide usage in order to help remove current populations and prevent future infestations. Usually this involves an application to the surface of compromised wood or into soil around the home, but it can also be injected directly into wood to more closely target termite populations.

Moisture Removal

For termites, moisture is critical for survival. Making sure to fix plumbing leak problems in a timely manner and ensure proper drainage around your home, all of which can go a long way in helping to avoid a termite infestation.

What to do if you discover termites?

If you discover termites or suspect you have termites, it’s important to contact a professional pest control company immediately. A professional pest control company will be able to assess the situation, and recommend and administer the appropriate termite treatment.

What is the best way to kill termites?

Wood Treatment: Pest control professionals can use a variety of different wood treatments to help kill any existing termite colonies and prevent future ones from spouting up. Wood treatments include surface sprays, injected sprays and foams, and Borate treated wood.

What is borate wood treatment?

Wood treatments include surface applications during the construction phase of home building and wood injections and foams after a home is built. 3.

How Do I Prepare My Home for a Termite Treatment?

Termites are destructive pests that can do a significant amount of damage to your home very quickly. An average colony will consume about one foot of 2 x 4 beam every six months and can affect the structural integrity of a home in as little as two to three years. In short, it’s essential to keep your home protected from termites.

Chemical Termite Treatments

There are several chemical options to get rid of termites, including termiticides and gas fumigants. Your pest control professional can complete a termite inspection and help you decide on the best way to treat your home based on the type of termites you have and the extent of the infestation.

Termiticide

Termiticide is an insecticide with active ingredients that attack the termites’ nervous system to kill them. Your exterminator will spray your lawn and the areas around your house, saturating the ground and reaching into the termite tunnels. Termiticide takes little to no preparation and isn’t dangerous to pets or wildlife.

Fumigant

Termite fumigation is a highly effective way to rid your home of termites. During this treatment, your exterminator will surround your home with a tent and release gas. The fumigant will kill any termites present, even those hiding in hard-to-reach places. However, unlike termiticide, you will need to prepare for the treatment.

Preparing Your Home for Fumigant Treatment

Termite treatment fumes can penetrate through cracks and crevices and are unsafe for humans or pets to breathe in. Your food and medicine are also at risk during the fumigation process and must be appropriately protected.

Make Arrangements Away From Your Home

The first step to prepare your home for fumigant termite control is making sure that your home is empty. You, your family, and your pets can’t stay in your home during the termite tenting process, so you’ll need to arrange accommodations elsewhere.

Remove or Protect Food and Other Items

Before treatment begins, you will need to either remove food, medicine, and hygiene products from your home, even if they are unopened or protect them adequately. It’s imperative to check all areas of your home for any food or medication.

How far up do you drill into drywall to treat termites?

When drilling into drywall, it is recommended that you drill holes about 18 inches up from the floor and in between each stud around the infested area.

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. Sometimes the ground is slow to soak up the termiticide you place in the holes.

Why treat the exterior of your home?

Treating the exterior of your home near the area of the infestation is necessary for two reasons. It will insure that the sub colony that was gathering food inside the structure will be eliminated as they exit the home (this is especially important if you were not able to directly treat the nest.

What is termite treatment?

It’s called the pre construction termite treatment, a process where the soil is treated before the slab placement. This shields your future home from termite damages.

How long does termite treatment last?

A: The efficacy of the treatment will last up to 5 years. This is already an extended period, considering that rain and flooding will cause the termiticides to be washed away. As for treated timber, the effect may last longer.

Why do you need to hire an exterminator?

Another reason why you have to hire professionals is that each state imposes building codes and laws about the use of specific pesticides.

What do builders do after a house is completed?

Once the house is complete and can be occupied, the builders will look for holes and other tiny details that they need to patch up. Also, the builder will patch any voids in the masonry with an anti-termite chemical em ulsion.

How long does pre-treated wood stay termite proof?

They will identify which soil areas should be treated. As per your request, they will also procure pre-treated wood that will stay termite-proof for years.

How long is a metal pole used for pesticide injection?

For this process, a metal pole that’s approximately 6 feet long will be used to inject permethrin-based gel under the ground. On top of the pole is also knob that keeps it pressurized. The pole will be pushed into the ground to create a hole where the pesticide gel will be injected.

What to use to protect against termites?

After treating the soil and foundation areas, the construction builder may also add a basaltic rock or sand as an additional barrier against the termites. Other treatment procedures may also be used depending on the building codes in effect in your location.

image
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9