Treatment Options

Pre-treat

Even with the best construction practices, homes remain susceptible to termite infestation. Termites can enter through cracks or gaps in the foundation as small as 1/16 inch. Cracks eventually form in nearly all foundations. Small gaps also occur around plumbing and electrical penetrations. Termites can go through gaps where concrete sections come together at expansion joints. Because termites can exploit these tiny openings, a chemical barrier against termite tunneling should be considered at the time of construction.

The time just before pouring the foundation is the best time to establish an effective chemical barrier against termite invasion because it minimizes the size and number of untreated soil gaps termites can exploit to gain entry into the structure. Soil under the foundation can be soaked thoroughly with termiticide before placing the vapor barrier. This creates a zone of treated soil to protect susceptible areas of the foundation. Remember having a good Pretreat is a fraction of the cost of having a post-construction treatment.

Post-construction

Soil treatments and termite baiting systems are the primary treatment options to consider in post-construction termite elimination. Although both are effective, the goals, methods, costs and expectations are unique for each. Post-construction termite treatments should be carried out by a licensed, commercial pest control operator. There are no do-it-yourself termite control measures that effectively achieve the desired results. Commercial pest control operators have the necessary equipment and access to the best technologies and products available for subterranean termite management.

  Soil treatments

The goals of a soil treatment are to eliminate the current infestation and prevent termites from infesting the structure again in the future. This is accomplished by treating soil adjacent to potential termite entry points. Termites traveling between the structure and the soil are exposed to this treated soil, expose their nestmates to the toxin and succumb to the effects of the treatment. The effects of a soil treatment occur within the first few weeks after treatment usually lasting several years. Treating soil adjacent to a structure also provides long-term protection by isolating it to some degree from termite activity in the surrounding environment.

When a soil treatment is used to eliminate subterranean termite infestations, several methods are used by the pest control operator, depending on the type of construction. Treatments differ between slab, crawl space and basement foundations Some of the methods associated with soil treatments can be invasive to the homeowner. In addition, large amounts of chemical are used in soil treatments. However, termite infestations are normally eliminated quickly, and residual protection continues for several years.

Baiting

The goal of baiting is to eliminate termites in a structure by intercepting active termite colonies around the home and feeding them a toxic food source. This is accomplished by placing stations in the ground around an infested structure. The stations initially contain wood. When termites find a station, the food material inside is replaced with bait that contains a slow-acting chemical toxicant. The colony feeds on the bait, passes it around through food-sharing, and later succumbs to the effects of the bait. The time needed to eliminate termite colonies with bait is unpredictable and may take a few or several months depending on the time needed for termites to locate the stations, consume the bait and transfer the toxicant throughout the colony.