A thorough inspection by a pest control professional is the first step in controlling an existing termite infestation. The professional can recommend a treatment method for the specific circumstances.
Chemical soil treatments create a barrier in the ground that prevents subterranean termites from foraging into wood within buildings. They are not lethal to termites already in the structure. Contact Termite Control Gilbert AZ now!
In most cases, preventive measures are much easier and cheaper than repairing termite damage once an infestation occurs. Keeping wood components away from the ground (eliminating wood-to-ground contact and preventing mud tubes) will minimize risk, as will eliminating access points that allow termites to enter structures (such as filling cracks in cement foundations, sealing where utilities pass through walls, and keeping trees and shrubs from growing against walls). Moisture should also be kept to a minimum – addressing drainage problems, regrading soil around the house or building, removing areas of standing water near the structure, installing splash blocks for gutters and downspouts, and rerouting sprinklers to avoid puddling on the roof or around the foundation.
Regular inspections by a pest control professional and vigilant property owners can help detect termite activity before it becomes apparent. A termite inspector can check for signs of infestation such as mud tubes, discarded wings and damage to wood. The presence of these indicators is often the first sign of a problem and prompt action can limit the amount of damage caused.
Eliminating cellulose material around the house is another effective termite prevention measure. This includes removing debris such as stumps, leaves and piles of firewood from the yard and stacking wood for storage at least 20 feet from the house. It is also advisable to replace mulch with a cellulose-free product, and keep it a minimum of six inches from the foundation. It is a good idea to avoid piling wood in crawl spaces, as these areas are particularly vulnerable to termite attack.
Termite prevention professionals may also use liquid-soil treatments to form treatment barriers in the soil around a home. These treatments are typically performed during a termite inspection and involve digging a trench around the foundation of the home and filling it with a liquid termiticide, creating a treatment zone that will extend up to a foot beyond the home’s perimeter. This barrier will kill any termites that come in contact with it and will protect the structure from further attack.
Termite bait station treatments also act as a termite barrier by placing a series of wooden bait stations in the landscape, each containing a slow-acting termiticide. Termites that encounter the bait stations take the termiticide back to their colonies and provide a slow-acting means of spreading the poison throughout the colony, which will eventually kill the entire population. It is important to read the termiticide product labels carefully and follow all instructions for safe use.
Chemical Treatments
Termites cause billions of dollars in damage each year and are considered to be more destructive than fire. They feed on wood, paper, books, swimming pool liners and insulation. They work around the clock, causing destruction day and night. Thankfully, there are ways to prevent and eradicate these hungry creatures.
The most common methods are chemical treatments. These can be applied as a liquid or bait system, and are used to prevent an existing infestation, treat a termite problem or eradicate a re-infestation. Liquid Barriers are a type of chemical treatment that is poured onto the soil or into wood members of the structure to form a protective barrier. Unlike termite repellents, which only deter the insects, these barriers are non-repellent and provide long lasting control.
In addition to liquid barriers, termiticides can also be injected into wall voids or into the ground to reach hard-to-reach areas. Most of the same chemicals that are used as liquid barriers can also be mixed with water to create a foam insecticide. Foaming allows these materials to penetrate deeply into wall voids or into the ground, where they can be more effective in treating established termite colonies.
There are several liquid products that can be used for termite control, including cyfluthrin (Dragnet Ft), fipronil (Frontline) and imidacloprid (Prelude). These products all have low odors, last a long time in the soil and are effective against termites. They are also less toxic to mammals than the older chlordane products.
Other types of subterranean treatment include termite baits. These contain slow-acting, termite-specific poisons that are deposited in bait stations underground. As the foraging termites consume the baits, they carry them back to their nest and share them with the rest of the colony, effectively controlling the entire population. These products are also referred to as “poison pills” and are very effective in controlling termite populations, however, they can be more time consuming than liquid barriers.
Fumigation is another effective and sometimes necessary method of termite control. Fumigation involves enclosing an infested building or structure in gas-proof enclosures and exposing it for a prescribed period of time to sulfuryl fluoride gas (Vikane or Termafume). This is a very costly, specialized service that is typically only offered by a few Mississippi companies.
Biological Control
Biological control uses natural organisms such as insects, fungi or parasites to manage unwanted pests. It is an important part of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach, a long-term strategy for reducing the use of chemical pesticides that can have serious adverse impacts on human health, environment and soils. People have used biological control since 324 BC, when Chinese growers first introduced ants to kill citrus pests. Today biological controls include predators, parasitoids, nematodes, and pathogens. In general, they can be more effective than conventional chemicals, but must be carefully selected and introduced to avoid negative effects on non-target species.
The basic biological control strategy is to attract the natural enemies of the target pest by providing them with habitats that provide food, water or shelter. This is accomplished through environmental engineering or production practices, such as intercropping, use of cover crops and crop rotations, mulches, and planting of insectary plants. These management practices can increase the effectiveness of biological controls, allowing them to replace chemical treatments.
Once suitable natural enemies are identified, they must be carefully collected and subjected to quarantine to eliminate pathogens or parasitoids that could negatively impact the biological control program. They are then released, with careful attention to the timing of the enemy and pest life cycles.
Many different biological control agents are available for termites, but most of them target only one or two closely related pest species. For example, the predatory mite Amblysieus swirskii can feed on several types of insect pests, but the predacious mite Phytoseiulus persimilis targets only the two-spotted spider mite.
The invention relates to a method for administering a fungal conidiospore in the form of a liquid to control termites without disturbing the termite colony. The fungal conidiospore is added to a typical termite monitor bait station and, after the termites consume the bait laced with the conidiospore, they carry it back into the colony where it is spread by grooming among the other termites. The spores then invade the termites and cause them to die.
The termite bait stations may also be buried and covered with a layer of wood material to prevent the termites from consuming it. However, these measures are not an effective way to control the termites. This is because the termites will eat the bait containing the conidiospore and will continue to eat the wood in the house structure.
Eco-Friendly Alternatives
Traditional termite control methods use harsh chemicals that can be hazardous to you, your family, and the environment. These chemicals can seep into soil and water, posing long-term dangers to ecosystems and humans. Fortunately, eco-friendly alternatives for termite control are available. These alternatives use natural pesticides, plant-derived products, and other strategies that protect your home while minimizing harm to the environment.
Neem oil is a natural termiticide that contains the compound azadirachtin, which disrupts insect growth and reproduction. It can be mixed with water and sprayed on infested areas or at-risk areas around your house. It is safe for your yard and other plants when used as directed.
Alternatively, you can purchase wood treated with natural oils or resins to make it resistant to termites. This can be an effective preventative measure if the timbers are regularly inspected and treated as needed.
Another eco-friendly method involves introducing natural predators and parasites into your yard to manage termite populations without toxic chemicals. Beneficial nematodes, microscopic worms that feed on termites, can be introduced into the soil to lower their numbers naturally. Other organic preventative measures include using termite-resistant building materials when constructing or renovating your home, and regularly inspecting at-risk areas for signs of termites.
You can also use cardboard traps to monitor and control termite populations, an easy DIY termite treatment option. Cardboard is made of natural fibers that termites are attracted to, allowing you to monitor the infestation and take action as necessary. Another alternative is diatomaceous earth, a nontoxic powder that is composed of fossilized algae. It is effective against termites by dehydrating their exoskeletons, making it easy for them to die. Diatomaceous earth is a great alternative to chemical treatments and can be sprayed around your home.
A comprehensive, long-term approach to termite control is known as integrated pest management (IPM). IPM combines preventive measures and monitoring with green solutions like termite baiting systems and physical barriers that deter the pests. By reducing attractants, repairing leaks, storing firewood away from your home, and adjusting landscaping to avoid direct wood-to-ground contact, you can minimize the risk of termite infestations while protecting the environment.