Are you dealing with an existing termite infestation or trying to prevent one, and wondering how often should you do termite treatment? to maintain the integrity of your home?
Termites are insects that can do a lot of damage to your wooden foundation if you don’t get rid of them. This detailed guide will talk about how often to treat termites, how long termite treatments work, and the best ways to keep them from coming back. Shall we begin? Let’s jump right in!
How Important Is Regular Termite Treatment?
Treatments for termites have two main goals: getting rid of them and keeping them from returning. If you treat your home regularly, you can remove termite infestations that are already there and make it harder for them to return.
It is important to know that termite outbreaks can go on for a long time without being noticed, which allows termites to damage your property without your knowledge for a long time.
If you treat the problem regularly, you can stay ahead of the problem and keep your home from getting expensive damage.
How Long Does Termite Treatment Last?
Treatments for termites last for different amounts of time-based on the method used. Most of the time, the treatments often have a duration of 1 to 10 years. Treatment kind, coverage area, and infestation level are three factors that affect how well a treatment works. Now, we will examine the durations of various termite treatment methods:
Heat Extermination Treatment
Heat extermination treatment is a chemical-free method that utilizes high temperatures to kill termites. For this method to work, the whole house has to be sealed up to keep the right temperature inside. Heat treatments can last anywhere from one to three years, based on how bad the infestation is.
Fumigation
Fumigation involves enclosing your home in a sealed tent and letting out a gas, like sulfuryl fluoride (Vikane), that gets into the wood and cracks where termites live to kill them.
The tent is opened to get rid of any leftover gas after it’s done its job. Fumigation methods can last for years, with an average duration of three to five years.
Liquid Termite Treatments
Chemicals, like Termidor HP II, are put on the ground around your house as part of liquid termite treatments to keep termites out. These treatments will last between 5 and 10 years.
Termidor HP II is one of the best choices for liquid treatment because it lasts for 10 years and doesn’t need to be repeated very often.
Termite Bait Stations
Termite bait stations involve leaving poisonous baits around for termites to find, When termites find this bait, they take it back to their colony, where it affects and infects the other termites.
The bait in these stations usually lasts for a year, and it may need to be checked and fixed 1-4 times a year. Termite bait stations take longer than other ways to get rid of a colony, it is not considered a very good termite elimination method.
Read also: Red Eye Termite Monitoring Station: How To Use
How Often Should You Do Termite Treatment?
How often termite treatment is done depends on things, like the type of treatment used and how bad the infestation is. Generally, experts say that trained professionals should check for termites regularly to see if treatment is needed.
Treatments like liquid termiticides or bait systems may keep termites away for a few years, but keep an eye out for signs of activity and repeat treatments as needed. It is best to talk to a professional pest control service to find out how often treatments should be done based on your unique needs. However, as a general guideline:
- Bait systems: These require regular monitoring and maintenance, often every year or two.
- Wood treatments: Borate wood preservatives can last 10 to 20 years or more.
- Soil-applied liquid termiticides: Soil-applied liquid termiticides can last around 5 to 10 years, with regular inspections needed to assess if reapplication is necessary.
Factors That Influence Termite Treatment Duration
The effectiveness of a termite treatment can be affected by several things. When deciding how often to treat your home for termites, it is a necessity to keep these things in mind. Here are some factors to consider:
Infestation Level
How long the treatment takes depends a lot on how bad the termite infestation is. Larger infestations will need to be checked and treated more often to make sure they are completely gone.
If you have a big infestation problem, you need to work closely with a professional pest control service and do what they tell you, especially their recommendations for treatment frequency.
Property Setup
The layout of your home can affect how well termite treatments work. When you treat your home for termites, make sure that there are no gaps in the wood that termites can get into that aren’t covered by the treatment.
If you leave any holes or weak spots in the chemical treatment, termites will get in and start a re-infestation. Regular checks will help you identify any new infestations quickly.
Termite Type
Termites of different species behave and get in through different ways. Termites most often come in two types: dry wood and underground.
Drywood termites get into homes through wood, while subterranean termites dig mud tubes and get in through the ground.
Read also: What is a Termite Bait Box?
The Benefits of Regular Termite Inspections & Treatment
Regular termite inspections and treatments offer several benefits beyond eradicating and preventing infestations. Let’s explore some of these benefits:
Early Detection
If you do regular termite inspections on your property, you will be able to easily detect termite activity, before they can do any significant damage to your property. You will also be able to take swift action to eliminate them and prevent any further destruction of your property.
Cost Savings
When you invest in regular termite inspections and treatments, you save yourself significant costs in the long run. And also prevent extensive damage that may require costly repairs or even structural renovations.
Peace of Mind
When you know that your home is protected against termite infestations, you will have peace of mind because regular treatments and inspections create a barrier that prevents termites from entering your property, allowing you to enjoy your home without the constant worry of hidden damage.
Read also: Termite Worker: Facts, Infestation & How to Get Rid
Ways to Prevent Termite Infestation
Regular treatments for termites are necessary, but taking preventative steps can also help keep your home free of termites. Here are some effective ways to keep termites from infesting your property:
Remove Every Moisture Source
It’s important to get rid of any sources of extra wetness in and around your home because termites love damp places. Fix any pipe leaks, make sure water drains properly, and keep humidity levels low to make your home less appealing to termites.
Keep a Space Between Wood and Soil
The dirt around your house makes it easy for termites to get in. Keep at least 18 inches of space between wooden buildings and the ground to avoid this. Also, put up barriers made of cement or stones in parks and patios to physically keep termites away.
Remove Wood Debris and Vegetation
Termites are drawn to wood debris like dead trees and branches and stumps that are breaking down on your property. Take these things out of your yard regularly to get rid of possible nesting spots for termites.
Termites can also get into your home through plants and shrubs that touch the home’s exterior. Keep these trimmed back so they don’t touch the outside of your house.
Treat Wood with Borate
Borate is a termite repellent that can be applied to wooden surfaces before painting or staining. It acts as a deterrent and prevents termites from attacking and feeding on the wood. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying borate and reapply as necessary.
Regularly Inspect and Seal Entry Points
Look through your house often for cracks, holes, and other places termites can get in. Seal any cracks in your foundation, walls, or windows to prevent termites from entering your home. To ensure a tight seal, you should also check and take care of the weather stripping around doors and windows.
Conclusion
If you want to keep your home safe from termites and their ability to cause a lot of damage, you need to have them treated and inspected regularly.
How often you need to have them treated depends on factors like the severity of your infestation and the layout of your property.
Termite treatments are an investment, but they will pay off in the long run if you take preventative measures and treat your home regularly.
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