How to Avoid Termites – Part TWO

We’ve discussed termites. Now, it’s time to discuss part TWO! Read more about how to avoid termites.

A termite infestation is an expensive problem. Termite infestation will cause structural damage and cosmetic damage. As a ground warms in the spring and summer months, your home may be at risk for termites. Many homeowners mistake swarmers for flying ants, with the first sign of infestation being discarded wings near windowsills. Your home may be at risk if you live in a temperate or warm region, and if your property is located in a region that has the propensity to have termite problems.

Termites have a special enzyme that consists of a mixture of bacteria and protozoa that allow it to digest the cellulose of wood. A single termite is not much of a problem – it will take more than 3,000 years for a single termite to eat a 1000 square foot home. However, termites do not work alone, with termite colonies consisting of hundreds and even thousands of individual termites in an advanced infestation. These colonies can eat about a pound of wood per day. Even though this may not seem like a lot, the problem is that extracting a termite infestation can be extensive as they are hardy insects that can live for several years, with the queen easily living to be 50 years old. The damage tends to add up over time, destroying the structure and foundation of a home.

Preventing Termites – Termite Control

• Treat the structure of the home as it’s being built. A pretreatment can help circumvent termite infestation, especially if you live in a region that has a problem with of these insects. These control methods usually employ treating the surrounding soil, treating the wood before it is used to build the home, or even using woods that tend to retard the colony building of the termites like pressure-treated wood, cyprus, redwood, and plastic composite materials.
• Use soil barriers. This is another type of pretreatment method, where barriers are built between the house and the surrounding soil. With this type of method, holes are drilled into the surrounding foundation, and pesticides are applied directly to the soil beneath the structure. This tends to hinder the formation of opportunistic termites.

Killing Current Termite Population

• Use termite bait. Boric acid stations are particularly effective when dealing with a mild to moderate population. With bait stations, wood is treated with boric acid. Naturally, the termite is attracted to the boric acid, and proceed to consume the wood. The boric acid will then destroy the termites.
• Treat subterranean termites by flooding the soil. For termites that are directly contaminating the foundation of your home, you can flood the soil to destroy outdoor termite populations.
• Use a termite bond. Termite bonds are a cost-effective way to get rid of termites. With a bond, infestation problems are delegated to a third-party, usually an exterminator or a team of specialists. After paying a fee, the exterminator will visit your home regularly, attacking any current infestations and spot treating any festering termite problems. Usually, these auxiliary treatments are free as you’re paying them via a bond.

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