Controlling Termites

One of the most terrible troubles homeowners could ever face is the danger of termite infestation. In fact, subterranean termites are the most abundant wood-destroying organisms in the U.S., accounting for billions of dollars worth of damage each year. The primary damage occurs from the colony feeding on the wood inside your home, but other damage can also occur to trees, your insulation, books, paper, plants and even your swimming pool's filtration system.

Luckily, there's good news, provided you can grab hold of the problem before it gets too serious. It can often take a few years before the colony can produce any real damage, but left untouched, it can practically destroy the value of your house, making selling it impossible. Homeowners must identify the warning signs of infestation as well as how to prevent and eliminate the potential threat of these destructive pests.

Due to the destructive nature of termites, it's advisable to have a specialist pest control company do a yearly inspection, even if you've had no previous signs of invasion. To the common homeowner, termites are very hard to detect, difficult to kill and almost impossible to keep from re-infesting. It's unquestionably in your best interest to turn to a professional with the understanding, equipment and experience to do the job right the first time. Also, many service companies will offer a guarantee once you're on an established inspection schedule, promising to get rid of any existing or future problems at no extra charge. Some even go as far as offering to compensate for any damage incurred while under contract. Keep in mind, though, it's essential to maintain a regular inspection schedule, checking often for any signs of infestation. After all, you're protecting the most important investment your family will ever make.

Even though termites are extremely difficult to spot, their handiwork is often quite visible around the home. Look for what many refer to as Mud Tubes, Shelter Tubes or Termite Tubes. These are smartly constructed runways, generally about an inch wide, that the termites use as a passageway from the soil outside your home, straight into the house. This allows the colony to move through a sheltered tunnel into your home, protecting them from outside elements such as high temperatures and other natural predators, such as ants. Other indicators include small holes on the surface of your walls, paint bubbles and a powdery substance that looks like sawdust on the ground near your walls. Any of these signs are an indication that you may have a dilemma. The best way to test is to tap the structural portion of the wall with a hammer. If you have a hollow sound, you more than likely have termites.

Since termite damage is a long and timely process, there's no need to panic at the first indication of possible infestation. Take some time in deciding how to deal with the problem. Choose for yourself whether you're best equipped to handle the situation, or you'd rather turn it over to a professional. Those choosing outside help should get at least three estimates, keeping in mind that any warranty offered is only as good as the company offering it. Do-it-yourselfers have several options as well, including liquid treatments, bait treatments and borate treatments, although these methods are most successful during the building process and not on current infestations in older homes.

Liquid is the oldest form of treatment, but with the invention in recent bait products, it may not automatically be your best choice. As opposed to the Liquid Treatment, which uses a poison called termiticide to create a barricade around the house, bait treatments eliminate the entire colony by design. Put bait stakes in the ground, near any place where you suspect termites. At the outset, wood fills the bait stakes. If termites take the bait, pesticides replace the wood to infect the entire colony. The disadvantage to bait treatment is that it is very time-consuming and needs monitoring on a regular basis.