Treating a subterranean termite infestation nowadays is made easier by the plethora of options on the market. In the last two decades, there has been an explosion of products, systems and application techniques. Odds are that if you call more than one pest control company for a subterranean termite infestation, you will be recommended several different treatment options by each one of them. To help you make the best choice, we’re going to go over some of these treatment options and help you make the best choice.
Liquid treatments
Liquid treatments are used to create a chemical barrier around the foundation of the home in order to prevent termites from gaining access. This treatment can be applied both before and after a building has been constructed, and it is effective even if termites are already in the home, because it prevents them from returning to the soil. For existing buildings, the treatment is applied by drilling holes around the foundations and filling them with the liquid pesticide.
Repellents
Repellent treatments consist of pyrethroids, which are rapid-acting nerve poisons that are very toxic for termites, but not that toxic to mammals. Due to this toxicity, pyrethroids act as repellents, and if they are detected, the termites will turn around and avoid the area.
While these repellents are effective, and they can last for several years, their main drawback is that they do not actually kill the termites. This is important because creating a complete barrier under a fully constructed home is nearly impossible. Oftentimes, termites will eventually find these gaps in the pyrethroid layer and gain access to the property. If they then are able to reach the wooden structures of the home, they will create tunnels in these gaps and travel back and forth to the food source.
Non-repellent treatments
Non-repellent treatments are undetectable by the termites. They will come into contact with the treatment in the soil and will not die immediately. Instead, they will spread the active ingredient around the colony, killing many termites and eventually taking out the queen. There are three main active ingredients found across a variety of products. You have chlorfenapyr, fipronil and imidocloprid. These products can come in a variety of forms, including liquid treatments and foam. Their main disadvantage is that they are more expensive than repellent treatments.
Bait stations
Bait stations are different from liquid treatments because they do not form an active barrier protecting the home. Instead, they are set up in key locations around the building where the termites are likely to forage for food. There are several product options when it comes to bait stations, and you can divide them into two large categories – in-ground and above-ground stations. In-ground stations are designed to wipe out an entire colony but they are not able to kill termites that are already foraging inside the home. This is where above-ground stations come into play. This latter type of station is placed either directly onto, or near infested wood or mud tubes. You can also use a combination of in-ground stations and liquid treatments to protect the inside of the home and wipe out the termite colony faster.
There are many variations of these products and treatments on the market, and it is best to talk to a pest control specialist for more information and to tailor a treatment that fits your needs. If you would like to know more about these treatments, or if you currently have a termite infestation, contact us today.
