When a homeowner notices evidence of termite infestation they normally seek the services of a professional in termite control. A termite control service can protect your property as these industrious insects can destroy your home if left undisturbed. A nest of termites can consume as much as six or seven kilos of wood every week, you can imagine the damage that is being done in a short period of time. When a professional termite exterminator is called in he will investigate the problem and choose one of four effective treatments that he has at his disposal which are soil treatment, treatment of the wood, baiting them and making mechanical alterations.
Termites live on wet organic material, they love wood, paper and cardboard. Homes that are located in damp, humid environments are at risk for infestation. What is considered “mechanical alteration” is the removal and disposal of any wood, cardboard or paper that comes into contact with the ground; this is where the termites will build their nest. Mechanical alterations also include repairing any leaking water pipes and ensuring that areas such as crawl spaces are well ventilated which lessens the amount of moisture.
Wood treatment can only be used while the house is under construction. During construction of a home in an area known for termite problems it is recommended that wood which has been pressure pre-treated with a form of insecticide be used rather than standard, no-treated wood. A house that has the first floor constructed of pre-treated wood has a far better chance of staying termite free.
Treatment of the soil is an ideal termite control service that can protect your property. This works best if there are no drains or drainage systems around the house. This approach calls for the digging of a trench completely around the perimeter of the foundation. The soil that is removed is discarded and replaced with soil that has been treated in advance with a pesticide. To know more, click here.
If it is not possible to treat the wood or the foundation then bait systems are employed. There are a couple of ways to do this; one is to drill holes around the perimeter of the structure and filling them with bait. Another effective way is to place untreated wood in a hole that has been dug close to the house. Once termite activity is seen on the untreated wood it is removed and replaced with wood treated with chemicals which are the bait. In both approaches the termites deliver the bait back to nest where, over time, the colony will die from the poison.
If you see evidence of termites then a termite control service can protect your property from the damage these aggressive insects can cause. You are invited to contact Above & Beyond Pest Control for effective control and elimination.
