Termite Treatment Vs. Control: What Do You Need To Know?
It's no secret that termites are destructive. Finding termites in or around your home can be disheartening, but the presence of termites doesn't necessarily mean that you're already facing an expensive repair bill. In many cases, quickly bringing a termite problem under control can be enough to prevent significant damage to your home.
However, it's often not enough to simply remove existing termites. Avoiding costly repairs means treating the current problem and controlling the situation to prevent future infestations. Keep reading to learn how you treat your existing problem while also developing a long-term solution that will keep termites from damaging your home in the future.
Treating the Problem
The best course of action to treat termites in your home right now will depend upon the extent of the infestation. If you have a relatively minor infestation, you may be able to solve the problem by using bait and attempting to control access to your home by removing vegetation and dealing with other exterior issues. These methods can be slow but may be enough if your infestation isn't yet critical.
On the other hand, severe infestations will nearly always require professional assistance. A substantial termite problem can rapidly cause damage to your home and even result in structural issues. A professional pest control company will evaluate the extent of the problem and determine all of the areas in your that termites may have reached.
These professional treatments may include techniques such as rodding or drilling. These methods involve digging in your lawn or drilling into your home's structure. While these measures may sound drastic, they're necessary to reach the termite colonies to deliver chemicals directly to the source. By attacking the termites directly, you can quickly prevent them from causing more damage.
Controlling Future Infestations
Once you've treated your existing problem, it's also crucial to prevent future termite infestations. Baiting or chemically attacking termites in your home can effectively destroy nearby colonies, but it won't stop other termites from entering your home in the same ways. While some chemicals may last several years, others will quickly stop being effective.
The best way to ensure a long-term solution is to work with a pest control expert to develop a plan that can keep termites away from your home. You may need to make some adjustments to your outdoor areas, such as removing potential food sources from the foundation or addressing moisture issues. Routine treatments around the base of your foundation are another option.
Termites cause billions of dollars of property damage each year. If you notice termites in your home, the best option is to contact a termite control service as soon as possible to develop a plan to treat and control your pest problem.