How A Termite Treatment Works and Why You Need the Protection
Reasons Termite Treatments Are Needed
There are many reasons why termite treatment is needed for your home or business. First and foremost, termites create considerable damage to the integrity of any structure they infest. Second, as a precautionary step, almost every home purchase or sale requires an inspection before most lenders allow the sale to go through. If termite damage is located, a termite treatment is planned and conducted. We explain here how a termite treatment works, how long they last, and some images of what we have found in previous inspections.
Types of Termite Treatments
Chemical Barrier
Chemical termite treatments involve more time than one would imagine. The chemical barrier requires drilling through porches, patios, and interior garage slabs to apply the pressurized treatment. On the exterior, where soil butts up against the foundation, trenches are dug deep enough to ensure complete saturation. The best defense utilizes a combination of liquid barriers and bait stations. Bait stations work to destroy the nest, while the liquid treatment prevents new termites from reaching your home.
Termite Bait Stations
Bait stations are placed into the ground around the home or structure needing protection. Termite bait stations require annual monitoring. Bait stations should be placed two to four from the foundation and ten to fifteen feet apart. These are not considered traps but allow the termites to tunnel through and out of the tube. Worker termites consume the bait and carry it back to the colony, where it is shared. They also leave a colony-specific scent which leads other workers to the bait station, increasing the spread of the bait back to the other termites.
Termite Treatment Products – Liquid Termiticide
First, our termite treatment is a chemical barrier to mimic bait for termites. Once they pass through the barrier, they carry the slow-acting poison from worker to worker. As a result, the nest gets infected just like a virus, and the queen dies. If the queen dies, the colony dies. Once applied, termites start dying off within 1 to 2 days of the application. However, Termidor, our product, takes up to twenty-one days to transfer the molecules to eradicate the colony and the queen. Once your home is treated, the treatment lasts several years before it needs to be applied again.
“Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is a success.”
Henry ford
Signs of Termite Trails and Droppings
Termite Treatment Information – Contact Us
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Professional Termite Treatment Near Me
Termites can damage homes and outbuildings severely if not discovered in time. A Professional exterminator may need to inform you of work that will need to be performed in the home. Unfortunately, costing hundreds of dollars even after discovery and termite treatment.
Infestation of structures by termites is more prevalent than one would think, so do not waste time waiting to see these subterranean and dry wood pests before having a professional inspection. Depending on the species and type of termite, swarms vary throughout the US. Subterranean species begin in late winter and continue to swarm through late fall. Dry wood species swarm in the spring, summer, and fall, but it varies by location and climate.
Different Species an Exterminator Must Know
There are over 40 species alone in the United States, and more than 2,000 species are known to exist. It causes more than 5 billion dollars in property damage every year. Some of this damage, if gone unnoticed, can lead to a home becoming unlivable. With this in mind, having a regularly scheduled inspection every 1- 3 years is recommended. For a home needing treatment, it is a good idea to call your exterminator back in about 12 months to ensure it is safe. Occasionally, our team will need to conduct a follow-up application if a complete eradication of the termites is unsuccessful.
Locating
Termites remain hidden most of the time in walls and, under wood floors, behind door trim, and window trim. If you notice any bubbles in your paint or wallpaper, tiny holes, peeling paint, or cavities, chances are you have a problem. They can damage your drywall or sheetrock as well.
A subterranean termite colony builds and colonizes using mud tubes made from termite saliva, soil, and wood. These protect them from predators and dehydration. Like any colony, the mud tubes serve different functions. Like ants, they have scouts or exploration tubes, working tubes, swarm tubes, and drop tubes. A colony of termites can pile up tiny wings from dry wood and subterranean termites near doors and windows. Swarms can occur inside and outside the home, typically around windows and sliding glass doors.
Signs
Termites leave signs, tattle-telling on themselves, that they are present in the home. Also, look for small pinpoint holes in drywall, buckling wood floors, loose tile, and stuck windows or doors. Conducting a sweep of your home periodically to look for the signs mentioned can go a long way in protecting your home in the long run. Unfortunately, these signs may only appear after months or even several years, leading to more damage and costs.
Your Next Step
Contacting us to help with inspections or treatments is the best option versus attempting to treat a swarm on your own. For one thing, a termite treatment using over-the-counter sprays or traps will do little to solve the problem and could make it worse by sending them to another, more obscure area in your home. Most reputable termite and pest companies will tell you to have your home inspected annually by a professional. We recommend doing that in states where termites are prevalent, like Oklahoma. However, we find that most homeowners fail to schedule an inspection.
Out-of-sight and out-of-mind mentality seem to take over, or they forget. It’s best to schedule your next inspection during the current assessment, and most exterminators will call and remind you or send you an email. If we need to adjust your schedule in 12 months, this is not a problem; at least you can have the inspection performed close to that time for peace of mind. Moreover, many homeowners set reminders, like checking their HVAC system before spring or summer. Maintenance checklists for your home are easy to prepare and share on the family calendar.
What to Do If You Notice Possible Signs
In the event that termites are discovered in your home, contact an exterminator immediately. Damage that may need repairing will require someone experienced. For Instance, many exterminators deal with multiple contractors and try talking to them for a recommendation. Selecting any professional termite treatment specialist should begin with experience, price, and what type of guarantees to assist you in making the best decision. Bobbi Ray’s Termite & Pest Control would love to help you in any way possible!
Let’s work together on your next Termite Treatment
After years of trial and error with different products and materials, we have settled on the best and safest available. Our Reliable service and quick action to respond have brought us success in serving Oklahoma citizens. Dedicated to bringing the best products for the best price and doing the job right the first time is Priority #1.
