How Do Exterminators Get Rid Of Termites?

Termites' infestations cost billions of dollars annually in repairs to homes and other structures. Termites are a serious problem, so it's best to get rid of them as soon as possible. Chemical treatments, heat treatments, and physical barriers are just some of the methods exterminators use to eradicate termites. In this article, we'll examine the procedures used by professional termite exterminators. We'll be updating this post with additional valuable details about termite control, so check back soon!

How Do You Get Termites?

Termites leave their nests to forage for food. They are drawn to warm, damp places and sources of food, such as the wood in your home. Mulch that is misapplied, improper drainage, or firewood that is stored too close to the house are all factors that could attract termites.

Damage to your home's framework is the primary risk posed by a termite infestation. Infestations of termites cost the construction industry billions of dollars annually in repairs. Every homeowner needs to be able to spot termites and eliminate them quickly and efficiently. Termites can cause significant structural damage to your home, so it's important to act if you notice any signs. Regular inspections for damaged wood and the mud tube termites used to get from the nest to food sources are good indicators of a possible termite problem, in addition to the presence of swarming termites.

How Termites Work

If you find a flea or roach infestation in your home, you can often get rid of them with over-the-counter remedies. Termite infestations are not like this at all. Some chemicals used to eliminate fleas and roaches are also effective against termites, but using them effectively requires specialised equipment and knowledge.

An exterminator's first order of business is to make sure that termites are actually to blame. Carpenter bees and certain species of ants are among the insects that can cause extensive damage to wooden structures. One more thing that can be mistaken for termite damage is water damage. Long probes, heat sensors, sound sensors, infrared cameras, hammers, and drills are some tools an exterminator might use to inspect a building for termite damage.

If the exterminator finds undeniable evidence of termites, he has three options for treatment:

Wood, cardboard, and other cellulose-based products are used to make baits, which are soaked in a pesticide. Termites consume the tricks and take traces of the chemicals back to their nests, spreading the poison to other colony members.

Repellents deter termites from entering treated areas. These may be useful in preventing termites from finding and colonising a new space in your house.

As the name implies, termiticides are used to eradicate termites. Exterminators may need to use hundreds of gallons of termiticide pumped directly into termite nests. If you want to prevent termites from getting inside your house, you can spray insecticide around the foundation and at any entry points, they might use. Termites can't get in, and those inside usually perish from lack of water.

Termites take a long time (years) to do severe damage to a house, which is good news. As a result, if you find an infestation on your property, you can take your time deciding which exterminator to hire. Before settling on a termite exterminator, it's essential to learn whether or not additional treatments will be charged if the problem persists. That way, you can verify that your company's pest control service meets all necessary constraints.

How Do You Get Rid Of Termites?

Using termite-killing products on your home's exterior, natural chemicals inside, termite baits, and boric acid on your floors and walls are some ways to get rid of termites.

Assuming you're determined to handle a termite infestation on your own, you have several options, from tried-and-true chemical treatments to more natural approaches.

Getting Rid Of Subterranean Termites

Barrier Termiticides: Depending on where you live, you may be able to buy products like liquid Taurus SC and Termidor SC, which professionals use to kill termites. These conventional termite treatments are applied outside the house to form a protective barrier. Because termites are blind to termiticide, they don't avoid it. Termites will perish if they consume anything that has been treated with termiticide. Similar to the spread of a virus, the termiticide is effective. An infected termite will unwittingly spread the poison to its fellow insects, wiping the colony.

In contrast to termiticides, you can use natural chemicals inside the house. This method is ideal if you spot a termite and wish to eliminate it quickly. You should spray Termidor Foam directly into holes and crevices that could harbour termites. The odourless foam will leave a poisonous residue that will kill any termites that come into contact with it. You can expect this method to last for at least a month.

Termite baits are effective. Termites will be drawn to the poison inside the tricks you place around the perimeter of your home's foundation. Termites are killed as they attempt to moult because the slow-acting toxin interferes with their average growth. The infected termites will return to the colony and spread the insecticide to other termites because of the delayed effect of the poison.

Beneficial nematodes are tiny segmented roundworms that prey on many different types of garden pests, including termites. When beneficial nematodes enter a termite's colony, they release symbiotic gut bacteria that poison the termite's blood and cause rapid mortality. You can purchase helpful nematodes from either the internet or local stores. You should apply nematodes, potting soil, and cold water to the affected areas of your lawn and garden.

Getting Rid Of Drywood Termites

Drilling and filling holes is a spot treatment option for dry wood termites in painted or finished wood. You should drill holes into the termite-damaged wood about every 10 inches. When you first contact the nest, you will encounter some resistance. Then, use termiticide to seal the cracks. Apply putty or a wood patch to the damaged area to complete the repair.

Natural Scents: Both orange and neem oil can slow-kill termites by preventing them from moulting or reproducing. It can be sprayed on infected wood and other materials after being shaken.

Getting Rid Of Subterranean And Drywood Termites

Boric acid has been used effectively to rid homes of termites for many years. Boric acid is the active ingredient in many commercially available termite insecticides. Boric acid is effective because it causes the termite's nervous system to shut down and dehydrates the insect. Spray the acid into the crevices and gaps in the floor, wall, and ceiling.

Diatomaceous earth kills termites by dehydrating them from the inside out, penetrating their exoskeleton. Diatomaceous earth is composed of fossilised aquatic organisms with silica exoskeletons. Sprinkle the powder in the areas where you think termites may be hiding, and let them cross over it independently.

Termites will be drawn to the cardboard's cellulose and will become trapped between the sheets. You can then take the cardboard outside and burn it. Further, regular upkeep is essential; if a pile of decaying termite bodies forms, it will discourage any new termites from entering the structure through the cardboard entrance.

How To Identify A Termite Infestation

Let's break down how to recognise a termite infestation in your home before diving into methods for getting rid of them. It's not as simple as spotting a termite skittering across the wood's grain. Your first stop should be the attic, followed by the rest of the house for any gaps or cracks and finally, the breaker boxes. Invasion of your home's foundation can occur in several ways, some of which are described below.

You likely have termites when you hear a hollow or thudding sound when you knock or tap on your wood. If your wood gives when you press a screwdriver, that's not a good sign.

Subterranean termites build mud tubes to get from the wood they eat to the soil above it. These wooden and dirt tubes are about the width of a pencil. Are safe from them. You may be dealing with a species of termite that doesn't construct mud tubes because it feeds on dry wood rather than the subterranean termites that usually cause damage.

Your head may experience a strange clicking sound, and it may be coming from within your walls. That's because soldier termites bang their heads against the wood and tremble when they sense danger, alerting nearby termites to the situation.

Subterranean termites leave behind piles of discarded wings when they swarm to establish a new colony. If you come across many strewn wing fragments, it may be the work of termites.

Paint Peeling: Termite damage to drywall allows moisture to seep between the surface and the paint, causing the colour to bubble and peel. Paint buckles for various reasons, but when combined with other indicators, it may indicate a termite infestation.

Frass is the name given to the small, granular, oval pellets found on door frames, baseboards, and windowsills.

Live termites: you might find some termites in the wild. It would help if you told them apart from flying ants to know what you're up against. Termites have thick abdomens and straight antennae, and their hind wings are a uniform size. In contrast, flying ants' wings are not uniform in size, narrower in the middle, and curved antennae.

Step-By-Step Termite Removal

Find And Identify Where The Termites Are.

Check for termite damage consistently. Inspect the areas around your home where the wood comes into contact with the ground for signs of rot. Another telltale sign is the presence of mud tubes, usually no wider than 6 mm in diameter, that runs parallel to the surface of the wall, the foundation, or the joists above. Since they nest in dry wood, dry wood termites don't bother with mud tunnels. Drywood termites leave behind tiny pellets of digested wood, smaller than a grain of rice, as they tunnel through wooden structures.

Get In Touch With An Expert.

Instead of trying to eliminate termites on their own, most people would instead hire a professional terminator exterminator. That's because getting rid of termites can be challenging, and experts have the best tools and training for the job. Pest control companies specialising in eliminating termites use hundreds of gallons of liquid pesticide and specialised equipment. Commercially available do-it-yourself termite treatments are a viable option for dealing with outbuildings like sheds, fences, and decks.

Apply A Barrier Treatment

Start with a barrier treatment, like BioAdvanced Termite Killer, if you're going the DIY route. Barrier granules are applied to a home's exterior to prevent termites from entering. Always read and adhere to label instructions.

Put Out Some Termite Baits.

You can use stakes to place consumer baits around your property. Foraging termites are drawn to the appeal and carry the poison back to the colony. It takes the bait anywhere from three days up to two weeks to kill the colony.

Take Measures To Forestall Further Infestations.

Homeowners can take several non-chemical preventative measures and apply a barrier treatment regularly to discourage future termite infestations. Wood siding and other structures that come into contact with the soil should be removed, functional gutters should direct water away from the house's foundation, and gravel should be used in place of wood mulch in flower beds.

Getting Rid Of Subterranean Termites

Use of both bait and barrier treatments is recommended for eliminating subterranean termites. The presence of liquid barriers in the soil prevents termites from entering a home to eat the wood. You will also eliminate termites inside your house by barrier treatments because they cannot return to the soil for water.

The bait combines a slow-acting poison and a cellulose food source. The termite colony is decimated as foraging termites are attracted to the bait stations and spread the poison throughout the territory. The use of bait can be complementary to or alternative to liquid treatments.

Getting Rid Of Dry Wood Termites

Drywood termites are more challenging to eradicate and call for a unique strategy. They may be unable to use barriers and may not have access to bait if they build their nests near their food source. When dealing with a dry wood termite infestation, the entire home may need to be treated if the nest cannot be located. It calls for a few days of termite fumigation with sulfuryl fluoride gas. During a termite tenting treatment, you must relocate everyone and everything in the house. Another choice is to heat your home to 120 degrees Fahrenheit for about 33 minutes when the wood will be ready to use.

Here's How To Get Chemical-Free? How To Naturally Eliminate Termites

There are many effective but time-consuming chemical-free options for eliminating termites. Cold treatment, which entails drilling holes and injecting liquid nitrogen, is another effective method for controlling dry wood termites. Microwave radiation and high voltage electric current are two other methods that don't use chemicals to exterminate dry wood termites. A trained expert is required for these procedures.

It is possible to prevent damage from subterranean termites without resorting to poisons by using one of two strategies. An option is to use a product containing the soil-borne fungus Metarhizium anisopliae, which kills termites over a few weeks. Beneficial nematodes, a type of worm that feeds on termites, can also be injected into the soil. They have an efficacy range of 50-95% and can survive in the soil for up to two years. Termite nests can be exposed to the elements once you find them by breaking them open. Termites are an easy target for ants because they are prey for insects.

When To Call A Professional Exterminator For Termite Treatment

As mentioned before, a professional exterminator best handles most termite infestations. It is true in particular if the use of termite fumigants or tents is required. Hiring a professional is the best way to ensure the termites are gone for good. In most cases, if termites return within a specified time frame, the pest control service will return at no extra cost to eradicate the infestation again.

Termite Control: How To Keep Termites Away

Keep in mind that termites favour cellulose-rich foods, such as wood and paper, that are also high in moisture. You should keep mulch at least six inches from the foundation and never stack firewood against the house to prevent termites from making their way inside. You should remove dead tree stumps, and clutter should not be allowed to accumulate. Keep your gutters in good working order to prevent water from seeping into your house and rotting any exposed wood.

Conclusion

The annual cost of fixing damage caused by termites in the construction industry is in the billions. As a homeowner, you must be able to immediately identify termites and effectively get rid of them. Some of the procedures used by exterminators to get rid of termites are chemical treatments, heat treatments, and physical barriers. Eliminating termites requires the use of termiticides. It is possible that hundreds of litres of termiticide will need to be injected into the termite nests by the exterminators.

Termite-killing treatments for the outside of the house, natural chemicals for the inside, and boric acid for the flooring and walls are all viable alternates. Natural compounds, in contrast to termiticides, are safe to use indoors. Termidor Foam should be sprayed directly into cracks and crevices where termites may be hiding. Dry wood termites in painted or finished wood can be treated locally by drilling access holes and filling them. Termites' exoskeletons are permeable, therefore diatomaceous earth can kill them by dehydration.

Drywall with termite damage causes water to seep in between the surface and the paint, leading to bubbling and peeling. There might be termites to blame if you find lots of wing pieces lying about. As they bore through wooden buildings, drywood termites leave behind pellets of digested wood no bigger than a grain of rice. Do-it-yourself. Sheds, fences, and decks can all benefit from Do It Yourself treatments.

To completely get rid of subterranean termites, it is best to use both bait and barrier treatments. Another efficient method involves infusing liquid nitrogen through small pores. Dry wood termites can also be eliminated with high voltage electric current or microwave radiation. In most cases, a termite infestation should be handled by a professional exterminator. The only foolproof method of getting rid of termites is to pay a professional to do it. Most pest control services guarantee to come back for free if termites return within a certain amount of time after treatment.

Content Summary

• Repairs to homes and other buildings damaged by termites cost billions of dollars every year.
• Termites are a major issue that needs to be addressed without delay.
• Some of the procedures used by exterminators to get rid of termites are chemical treatments, heat treatments, and physical barriers.
• We'll take a look at the methods used by exterminators to get rid of termites in homes and businesses.
• The major threat that termites represent is to the structural integrity of your home.
• Mechanisms of Termite Behavior
• Over-the-counter pesticides are usually effective against flea and roach infestations.
• Some methods for getting rid of termites include applying termite-killing goods to the exterior of your home, using natural chemicals inside, using termite baits, and applying boric acid to the floors and walls.
• Natural compounds, in contrast to termiticides, are safe to use indoors.
• Removing Termites from Dry Wood
• Dry wood termites in painted or finished wood can be treated locally by drilling access holes and filling them.
• Recognizing Termite Activity
• First, let's talk about what to look for to determine if you have a termite problem at home, and then we'll go into how to eliminate them.
• Your home's foundation may be attacked in a number of ways, some of which are discussed here.
• Some termites can be found in the wild, and they are alive and well.
• Always keep an eye out for termite damage.
• Look for rotting timber anywhere it contacts the soil, like around the base of your home.
• To completely get rid of subterranean termites, it is best to use both bait and barrier treatments.
• Termite infestations are best dealt with by a trained professional exterminator, as was previously noted.
• The only foolproof method of getting rid of termites is to pay a professional to do it.
• Termites are notoriously difficult to get rid of, but most pest control services will come back for free if they return within a certain amount of time.
• Experts in pest control should be entrusted with termite inspections and treatments.