About Termite Treatments

There is no doubt that one of a homeowner’s worst nightmares is the sentence, “you have termites.” Too often, termites go unseen until an infestation is already well underway, and they can cost an exorbitant amount of money to repair their damage. And what is worse you are not safe if you have a brick or stucco home because these creatures can and will get into almost any home or building, because wood is used in so many homes and businesses.

Termites typically start their nest in soil and they need water and decayed wood to thrive. Termites may attack and damage shrubs, they generally prefer to create their mud tubes within wood that’s already decayed. Many buildings have wood structures hidden from sight that burrows into the adjacent soil. Termites use this to tunnel into a house, where they may damage baseboards, walls, and threaten the structural integrity of a house.

They can even damage swimming pool liners or make a mess out of papers and books. Worse yet, because termites are relatively unseen, they may go unnoticed for years, and the damage they cause makes it hard to treat them on one’s own time. Hiring an exterminator may end up being the surest way to identify where the termites have already caused damage, as well as getting rid of this threat to your property.

Termite treatments come in many forms. Some instances may allow you to use bait, such as powders, which are placed near their nesting grounds and foraging areas. Termites carry the bait back to their nest, and over time, die off. Other options may include liquid treatment, or creating a chemical barrier around the house in order to prevent more termites from making their way inside. Often times, using more than one treatment plan may be the most effective way to eliminate these pests. In either case, you should expect that a treatment could extend over several months in order to fully eradicate them.

Do You Have Termites?

It can be tough to tell if you have a problem with these almost invisible pests, but one sure sign of an infestation is seeing winged termites inside the home, at which point it may be a good idea to call pest control. Many people often confuse winged ants for winged termites, but ants have a jointed antenna, whereas termites have straight, narrow body, as well as straight antenna. An exterminator can go through and identify the problem, then offer possible solutions for you to consider.

Keep in mind that if you are planning to sell your home or business, you may need to have an exterminator examine the property for termite damage in order to be able to sell the property to potential buyers. The examination may be required by some real estate agencies. Home buyers want to know what they’re getting into, and having to fix extensive damage upon purchasing a new home is not an ideal situation. Again, having the termite treatment already in place may help you eliminate the pests and get the situation well under hand before you try to sell your property.

There are many forms of termite treatments, and in order to find the best one, it may be a good idea to ask a pest control company to examine your property so that they can offer a professional opinion.