© terminix-triad.com

Termite infestation poses one of the largest threats to human economic activity on a worldwide basis. In the United States alone, these hungry little insects inflict approximately 3 billion dollars worth of damage on structures and crops. The economic impact of termite infestation cannot be denied.

Preventing a termite infestation should be a primary concern of all home (and business) owners –especially in those areas most prone to termite activity. The cost of termite prevention will always be more manageable than killing a mature colony and then fixing the damage of a widespread invasion—even when the initial price tag seems steep. The old saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure has never been more true than when applied to a termite problem.

Ideally the best time to take the first steps in termite prevention is when a structure is being built. For those in termite prone areas who are building homes, it is essential that building materials be treated against termites and that barrier methods repelling termites are part of the building plan. Unfortunately however, there are more homes sold that have had previous owners than there is new construction where such methods can be employed.

Preventing the Problem Before it Starts:

For existing structures there are many termite prevention tips that have proven effective:

• All wooden parts of a building should be kept a minimum of six inches above soil level.

• Keep mulching, and application of ornamental “beauty bark” several inches below the siding and wooden structures of the home.

• Avoid the use of wood mulch near foundations, use only termite treated wood for structures such as raised flower beds, and ideally keep these clear of building foundations.

• All dead wood sources, tree stumps, root systems, dead or dying trees and bushes clear of foundations and siding.

© termitesgonewild.com

• Never store firewood flush to the ground or against the foundations or walls/siding of a home.

• Never store firewood, extra lumber left over from construction or for building projects under foundations or in crawl spaces beneath a home.

• Avoid attaching wooden fencing to a home. Termites have used attached fencing as a means by which to gain access to above ground wooden components in houses and have chewed through seemingly impervious metal siding to do so.

• Provide adequate drainage of moisture away from foundations either by grading of soil or by maintaining gutters and downspouts. Avoid sprinkler systems that keep soil immediately around foundations damp. Termites thrive in areas with high moisture content near their food source.

• Keep ground covers and plants a minimum of 3-4 feet from building foundations.

The above tips are particularly effective against the subterranean species of termites, which arguably, with their bigger swarm and colony sizes, do present the greatest termite species threat. These same prevention tips are also very effective in drywood termite prevention, especially keeping firewood and surplus timber away from building foundations. Borax dusts and barrier treatments are also particularly effective on this species.

Termite Protection

Plans

Many, if not all reputable termite exterminator companies offer termite protection plans. These are generally available only to homeowners whose homes meet the following criteria:

• Home must be free of current termite infestation and of termite damage

• Located in qualifying states in the United States (Terminex lists 43 eligible states)

• Home must pass an initial inspection by the offering company

The features of a termite protection plan generally include:

• Annual certified inspection of home and surrounding property

• Termite control fees are waived if termites appear

• Company covers termite damage repair if termites appear

• State of the art treatment of newly detected infestations

• Guarantee/warranty offered against re-infestation.

© agrilife.org

It is VERY important to read the fine print in any protection plan, as there may be exclusions for types of termite infestations. While 95% of all termite damage is done by subterranean species, a protection plan that excludes drywood and dampwood species may not be the best choice in your geographic location, where the threat from these termite species may be equal to or greater than their underground dwelling cousins. Careful consideration of the termite protection options available with individual plans should be part and parcel of the decision making process as well.

In effect, a termite prevention plan is like an insurance policy specifically against termite infestation. This is particularly important to consider in termite prone areas because virtually no standard homeowner insurance policy covers termite infestation or damage.

Termite protection cost can vary from company to company, additional plan features can add to the cost. An average annual price for termite protection plans is between $300-500.

Do I Need Termite Protection?

In geographic areas where termite infestation is widespread, a termite protection plan may be seen as a common sense insurance policy against the possibility of an infestation. High termite activity areas carry the highest risk to the individual homeowners; the history of the construction of the dwelling has an impact as well. In areas where termite infestations are not the norm but somewhat rare—a protection plan may not be seen as cost effective in the long run. The need for a plan is a decision to be made carefully after research into the frequency of infestations in the area, the features of plans from local exterminators, and obtaining at least three to four quotes for various plans from existing, certified and licensed exterminator companies.

Termite Inspection

The First Step

The key to success in dealing with termites—whether preventing their presence or dealing with an existing colony lies in a thorough inspection of the homeowner’s property. This inspection should not just focus on the house itself, but also take into consideration termite sign on the surrounding land and any outbuildings such as detached garages, tool sheds, firewood stacks and so forth. Many reputable pest control companies offer a free termite inspection with no obligation to contract their services if termite sign is found, though most will offer a discount to the homeowner if treatment is found to be necessary. If no company in the homeowner’s area offers free inspection, the cost of termite inspection must still be considered part of a wise homeowner’s pest prevention plan. Survey available companies for their termite inspection cost as carefully as you would in contracting for their services—field no less than three quotes for a thorough inspection and find out what discounts or other incentives are offered to choose the company should termite sign be found.

© termiteterry.com

A termite inspection should give a broad overview into not only the current presence or absence of termites in a home, but also be able to determine the overall risk of infestation to the structure, which areas are most prone to invasion and which treatment method will best control a problem if found. There are a few things that a termite inspection should not be, the most important of which is that it should not be a high pressure sales tactic to panic a homeowner into contracting for the company’s services.

Termite infestation is generally a slow moving process of years duration, and even colonies found to be at a mature level in a structure are not an excuse for a rushed decision—a few extra days, weeks or even months taken to investigate options and solutions will generally not have a major effect on the outcome or cost of treatment.

The average termite inspection involves a visual assessment by a trained termite exterminator. The pest control specialist will conduct a visual inspection of all accessible areas of a home, as well as a thorough examination of crawlspaces, basements, subbasements and attic areas (drywood termites often infest attic areas first). Appliances, heating and ventilation systems, even furnishings and cabinetry should be included in the inspection. The inspection should take between 30 minutes to an hour to conduct, depending on the size of the home and features of the surrounding property—if several structures must be inspected, this time may be multiplied accordingly.

The end result of a termite inspection should be a termite inspection report. These reports vary in their particulars, some will include photographs of evidence of damage or termite sign found, others will be merely a checklist of the noted indicators of termite presence. All should clearly indicate the areas inspected, the type of sign found and summarize the extent of damage uncovered. The end result should also include a treatment plan as recommended by the termite inspector and offer options for treatment of any existing infestation.

The price of freedom it is said is eternal vigilance. This is no less true of freedom from incursions by termites. The wise homeowner will be informed and proactive, and willing to take the time to investigate the options for termite prevention and protection before a situation becomes dire.

© southnjpestcontrol.com

Termites do upwards of 3 billion dollars of economic damage every year in the United States. It is estimated that one in three US households use pesticides in an attempt to control pests including termites and that one in five households in the country eventually hire a professional termite extermination company to deal with an infestation.

Times Have Changed

Once upon a time, pest control meant that a man from the termite company came by and sprayed your floor and baseboards, and you hoped for the best. However, in the modern age, termite control has become more technologically complex. Professional termite companies are often the only entities licensed to obtain and dispense the most effective termiticides under federal law and have access to the state of the art equipment necessary for deployment of treatment. They are increasingly very highly trained and individually licensed professionals who can not only deal with an active infestation but provide ongoing monitoring and protection against re-infestation.

The Best Termite Company is Not Always the Cheapest

When times are tough, the impulse is to cut corners and attempt do-it-yourself efforts first, but the fact of the matter is that termite control is one area that is best left to professionals. Just as with any important service, it is important to be able to recognize the good termite companies and differentiate them from the bad. The cheap termite companies may seem the only affordable options, but it is important that any termite extermination service contracted with is also the best termite company for the job.

There are many ways to identify the top rated termite companies in your area, and careful research into all the options available is highly advised when a homeowner is in need of pest control services. Any reputable exterminator services will have an established place of business, will be licensed, bonded and insured and be able to produce their credentials on demand. The best termite companies will be able to also provide a prospective client with testimonials from past customers and statistics about the effectiveness of their treatments.

Some general rules of thumb regarding termite companies apply:

• Length of time in business is not necessarily the best indicator of extermination success. The licensure and training of the employees of a company is just as important, if not more so, than how long the company itself has been in business.

• Company provided references should be supported by independent reviews gained from other sources. Most businesses—even the worst—will have a few satisfied customers. The Better Business Bureau is a good resource for company reputations/complaints; the Office of the Attorney General in each state is also a resource for tracking licensure and adherence to state laws governing extermination.

• Most termite companies offer free inspections of property—and it is a good idea to schedule more than one company to make in inspection. Not only does this give a less biased view of any existing problem, it is also an opportunity to experience and judge the professionalism of the company personnel.

• Most termite companies will also provide free treatment estimates/plans. The more information a consumer has from a company, (including what methods they employ, the costs and types of treatments used) the easier it will be to make an informed decision as to which company should be contracted with.

The top-rated termite companies are not always the nationally known names—and a comprehensive listing of the very best termite companies is very much keyed to locality.

There are many tools of for finding termite companies, both online and off, especially with the proliferation in recent years of sites like “Angie’s List” or “Yelp.com” which offer not only directories of services but reviews of businesses by actual end users. These online information clearing houses often have localized listings for major metropolitan areas as well as assessments of national services. In termite prone areas there should be no lack of feedback available, either online or informally through word of mouth between friends and neighbors. Often the best termite company is one who has already provided excellent service to someone you know.

Do Your Homework and be Prepared!

It is advisable that the homeowner use the inspection process as a gauge for the company offering services. The smart consumer will ask questions of the inspector including:

• What results can I expect—complete elimination of the colony or only reduction of population?

• What is the treatment timeframe—how long before I know the treatment has worked?

• What pesticides will be use—will you provide me with labels of the chemicals used?

• What percentage of your employees are certified in pesticide use by the state?

• Will the technician deploying treatment be state certified (if the answer is no—beware!)

• What level of experience will the technician have?

• What guarantees, warranties and protection plans do you offer?

Obviously a reputable termite company employee will be able to answer these questions and more besides. The inspector should be able to answer all questions and concerns precisely without being vague or resorting to high pressure sales tactics. He or she should present a professional appearance and conduct themselves with a high level of competence in examining all areas of the house or structure and explaining findings during the course of the inspection. A written report should follow the physical inspection, along with a cost estimate/plan of treatment for any problems found.

As with any contracted service, it is best to collect at least three—if not more quotes. Be wary of the lowest bid and question and investigate the highest as well. Price should not be the first consideration in the contracting of a termite company, the quality of the work, the competence of the employees, the reputation of the company all count for more than the bottom line.

In the United States, there are two nationwide Termite Exterminator services, Terminix and Orkin as well as many companies too numerous to mention that service more restricted geographical areas.

© terminix.com

Terminix also known as Terminix International Company LP (Limited Partnership) is recognized as the largest pest control company in the world. It operates in 45 of the 50 states of the US and in 14 countries around the world. It was established in 1927, begun by E.L. Bruce a hardwood floor manufacturer who was seeking a means by which to protect his product from termite infestation. Bruce founded a research company called the Bruce Terminix Laboratory which came up with the first termiticide in 1932. A franchise was born, and in 1955, Terminix was the first pest control company to offer termite protection contracts against re-infestation. The company continued to expand in the decades following, acquiring more and more local pest control companies, and partnered with the mail order giant Sears, Roebuck and Company to become an international entity.

Orkin is another nationally recognized name in termite extermination. It was founded in 1901 by Otto Orkin a fourteen year old son of immigrants who sold rat poison door to door in his native Pennsylvania. By 1912 Orkin was successful enough to open offices in Virginia and other cities and rodent control services were expanded to include all forms of residential and commercial pest species including termites. In the 1950’s the “Orkin Man” was introduced via the newly popular television technology and “commercials” appeared introducing this soon to be famous advertising icon to the United States consumer’s consciousness.

© orkin.com

In 1993, Orkin became the sponsor of the permanent exhibit, the Orkin Insect Zoo at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C. The Exhibit was created to encourage interactive learning and a better understanding about insects from all over the world as well as those found in the average backyard. Orkin also sponsors Orin’s Junior Pest Investigators’ program offers free science lesson plans for teachers of students in grades K-6 and focus on common pest identification and environmentally friendly ways to help control pests.

Orkin currently employs nearly 8,000 team members in more than 400 locations serving approximately 1.7 million residential and commercial customers. Headquartered in Atlanta Georgia and wholly owned by the Rollins Corporation, Orkin has locations in the United States, Canada, Central America, the Middle East, the Caribbean and Asia.

Whether choosing a nationally known company such as Orkin or Terminix, or a local company with extensive experience with the termites endemic in your area, the key is careful research before making any final decision about contracting for extermination services. Termites are destructive but relatively slow in their process, so there is rarely any need for a decision to be made in a panic.

Killing Termites Ain't Easy

Once you’ve gotten the bad news that your property has been invaded by termites, the next decision is how best to deal with the problem, how to kill termites in your house. The ideal solution is one that will kill termites already infesting your home and which will stop the problem from occurring again in the future.

Call in the Pros-STAT!

The most efficient solution to a termite infestation is almost without exception hiring professional exterminators. While the dedicated do-it-yourselfer may feel that no obstacle is too great or enemy too implacable to deal with, the truth of the matter is that there exists no effective means available to the homeowner to wage a successful war against an invading termite colony. Professional exterminators alone have the necessary federal licenses and permits to obtain dispense the most deadly pesticides and the knowledge and training to apply treatment that does not endanger the occupants or pets in a home. They have special equipment at their disposal that will insure the most thorough treatment possible for killing termites at every stage of development.

Professional exterminators will also be able to precisely identify the species responsible for an infestation. How to kill drywood termites can differ from methods used to kill subterranean termites or dampwood species. Knowing precisely which kind of termite is posing the threat is more than half the battle of defeating them.

Calling in the professionals may bring about visions of that most extreme of treatments—termite fumigating by tenting—a process by which an entire home is enveloped in tarps and termiticidal gas is pumped through the structure. While this is a valuable treatment it is also generally the method utilized as a last resort against extensive infestations by mature colonies. Depending on the extent of the infestation and the type of termite involved, there may be other options available to kill termites without tenting/fumigation. A reputable exterminator will carefully inspect the property and be able to offer an array of choices for treatment, as well as advising which the best for the level of infestation detected is.

Killing Flying Termites

© simplehomepestcontrol.com

The lucky homeowner is the one who notices the presence of termites in the earliest phase of an invasion—during a swarm. Termites establish colonies by sending out winged “alates” who pair off, mate and burrow into new nesting sites to establish colonies. Alates are usually first noticed outside a house, swarming around outside lights as well as along cracks and imperfections in siding and foundations. Being able to kill swarming termites in this stage of development can prevent a colony from settling in and doing serious damage, although their presence in any number is also a very strong indication that a mature colony is in residence nearby and quite possibly already infesting your home.

Alerting to the presence of winged termites should initiate a call to pest control experts to conduct an inspection and evaluation. If the intent is just to kill winged termites, this is one stage where over the counter pesticides may have some use, as will so called “bug zapper” devices (electrical discharge insect control systems) which attract flying insects and kill them by contact with high voltage wires. While both of these methods of killing flying termites may work, they are not any kind of insurance that a breeding pair will not still find its way into your home and begin to nest. Spot treatments as deployed by a professional exterminator which target the likely entry points in walls and foundations may be very effective at this point in a termite invasion, especially when combined with termite monitoring and bait systems placed in the ground surrounding the structure.

Natural vs. Chemical Extermination

© bedbugmundo.com

With so much attention given in the news media to the dangers of pesticides which pose health risks to humans and pets as well as danger to the environment itself, another consideration for the homeowner may be how to kill termites naturally, without resorting to the use of chemical termiticides. There are any numbers of options available which fall under the “natural” banner.

One of the most effective is the use of beneficial nematodes—a parasitical worm that feeds upon termite forms at all stages of development. Introducing these organisms into the soil surrounding a property is valuable in fighting subterranean species that nest in the ground around a structure and travel via mud tubes into the structure to feed. Other natural solutions to termite infestations include the use of low toxicity pesticides such as borax which is a naturally occurring substance that is often used to pre-treat construction materials to make them termite resistant and repellent.

Also falling under the natural banner are mechanical means of killing termites in your house. These treatments include:

• Microwave extermination

• Extreme heat and cold applications

• Electrical disruption

As might be expected these are methods deployed only by professional exterminators who must be fully licensed in their use and have access to the specialized equipment necessary to perform these methods without damage to structures or inhabitants.

One more promising natural method of termite extermination is the use of orange oil, a substance distilled from the rinds of oranges as a natural byproduct of the production of orange juice. The mechanism responsible for orange oil’s effectiveness is not entirely understood but it seems to undermine the integrity of the exoskeleton of the termite and to act as a desiccant on the internal workings of the termite form. Knowing how to kill termites with orange oil often requires direct application into active termite galleries, as the substance does not transfer as efficiently from termite to termite as efficiently as other chemical pesticides; as such is the case orange oil is best deployed as a spot termite treatment method.

The good news about a termite invasion is that it is a slow process that takes several years from the time of first arrival by a mating pair of winged termites until such time as a structure is prone to significant damage, which allows the homeowner to formulate a plan of effective action with the advice and assistance of a pest control expert.

© gwdev.net

Termite sprays are a popular barrier method of termite treatment which can be broadly broken down into two classifications: repellent and non-repellent. Termite sprays for wood are generally applied directly to buildings but the best and most effective spray treatments may be those that are deployed into the soil below and around the structure to be protected from termite invasion.

Repellent Termite Sprays

Repellent termite sprays have been used for decades and are most generally used on both the structure and the soil surrounding it. As the name implies, these sprays are not primarily intended to kill the termite foragers or colony but to redirect them away from the treated structure to other food sources.

A class of chemicals called pyrethroids is the most common ingredient used in repellent sprays. Pyrethroids are synthetically produced to mimic the naturally occurring active chemical in chrysanthemum flowers —a natural termite repellent. Sprays containing pyrethroids can be identified by looking for these names in the ingredient labeling

• Cypermethrin

• Permethrin

• Bifenthrin

• Fenvalerate

Pyrethroids are considered generally safe for humans and mammalian animals in low doses, but pose a significant toxic risk to aquatic animals and “good insects” such as honey bees. They also pose a great health risk for chemically sensitive people, and those who have previously experienced cyanide exposure.

Pyrethroids are able to penetrate the exoskeletons of termites and have a paralytic effect on the individual termite organism. Those coming into direct contact with pyrethroid chemicals in wood are soil are generally killed, but the greatest efficacy of this class of sprays is due to the fact—somewhat contrarily—the termites can detect the presence of the pyrethroid chemical—and so will avoid structures that have been treated with it.

Pyrethroid sprays are generally relatively inexpensive in comparison to other termite treatments and remain active in the soil and treated structures for several years. However, one of the drawbacks to spray treatments in general is the great difficulty in providing a consistent effective barrier zone.

Generally in new home construction, barrier sprays are laid down in the soil prior to foundation slabs being laid which may be more effective than spraying existing structures. Unfortunately not every point of entry for a foraging termite colony is accessible to spray treatment in an existing home, and like a chain a barrier treatment is only as good as its weakest point.

Non-Repellent Sprays

Non-repellent sprays are designed to kill foragers and colony and are particularly effective against the subterranean form of the insect which nests in the ground surrounding a targeted building. Chemical termiticides that all under this classification include:

• Fipronil,

• Chlorfenapyr

• Imidacloprid

Non-repellent sprays are directly toxic to termites and are engineered to kill individual termites and to be carried back to the colony to lethal effect by returning foragers. They are therefore, slow acting termiticides that kill a colony via the concept of transfer—the poison being spread by the social interaction of the foraging termites with its nest mates, such as in feeding and grooming activities.

Each of the above non-repellent sprays has a different but equally deadly effect on termites coming into contact with them. Fipronil kills via transfer from one termite to the next during communal activities such as those described, and is particularly impervious to breakdown in the soil, which makes it advantageous for a long term barrier effect. Chlorfenapyr is a delayed toxic effect termiticide, not immediately lethal to the termite until it is broken down in the insect’s gut. Toxic metabolites of this chemical prevent the termite metabolism from producing energy, and this slow acting lethal effect allows for greater transfer throughout the colony. Imidocloprid is immediately lethal to termites encountering a full dose, but is unique in also being able to kill in smaller doses that are not immediately effective. Even a very small amount of imidocloprid causes a termite to become lethargic, unable to eat or feed other termites or groom itself. This inability to groom is the eventual cause of death—termites must constantly groom themselves and each other to avoid infestation by soil fungi which become parasitical feeders on the termite ogranisms.

How to Use a Termite Spray

While termite sprays are often marketed directly to consumers as “over the counter” treatment solution, the fact of the matter is that no openly available spray treatment on the consumer market is available in the strengths needed to deal most effectively with a termite colony. Professional pest control experts not only have access to otherwise restricted types and strengths of termiticides but also have specialized equipment that enables them to more effectively deploy the sprays where needed and in the concentrations required. It is advisable that homeowners leave the process to professionals whenever possible.

Whether applied professionally or by the homeowner themselves, it is necessary to know how to use a termite spray correctly.

The ideal termite spray treatment will take place under favorable weather conditions. The ground must not be frozen or wet; rainfall should not be expected soon after a treatment is conducted. Wind conditions must be precise—sprays cannot be effectively dispensed in windy conditions. Late spring and summer application is most common, and it is also when termites are most active in foraging.

In order to achieve a maximum concentration, it may be necessary to dig trenches along the edge of an existing structure’s foundation. Rods are then inserted in the spaces made by the trench, through which the termiticidal liquid will be injected. Where the trench and rod method is not feasible, extensive drilling into foundations and wall supports will be necessary. The key to any spray application method is in getting the barrier concentration of the chosen pesticidal agent correct. Anything less than the recommended application found on the product label will leave the treated structure vulnerable to termite foragers being able to take advantage of a gap in the treatment.

There are pros and cons to the use of liquid termite “spray” treatments, to summarize they are listed below:

Pros:

• Provides immediate protection to structure

• When applied in uniform and correct concentrations are effective for years both on wood and in soil.

• Non-repellent termiticides minimize the “gaps” in treatment problem that exists with repellent treatments—the best spray application may be one that utilizes both.

• Relatively inexpensive when compared to other termite barrier methods including bait systems, and depending on the type of chemical chosen in the treatment.

Cons:

• Achieving the perfect chemical barrier is difficult even under optimum conditions. This presents a particular problem when the barrier is repellent in intent—foraging termites will find the weakest link in a protective blanket and exploit it.

• The drilling that is necessary to adequately apply termite spray for wood into existing porches, supports, beams, subfloors can undermine structural integrity of the dwelling, even though the drill holes are filled and repaired by professional exterminators, they still represent an assault on the wood’s integrity and are often visible after treatment.

• Sprays introduced to a structure or property that is within 50 feet of a groundwater source present a risk of water contamination. Termite bating systems maybe a safer option in these areas.

The decision to spray treat termites is one that needs to be carefully considered and all options duly explored. The best termite treatment, both to eradicate existing colonies and prevent re-infestation, is generally one that is multi-pronged and overseen by a licensed and bonded extermination professional, of which termite spraying is but one tool in the anti-termite arsenal.

Termites caring the baiting material back to their nest - Photo © ca.uky.edu

Termite bait systems have arisen in response to the need to stop termites in their tracks before they have a chance to infest and destroy homes as well as to prevent re-infestation after successful treatment of an existing termite problem. Traditional barrier methods, which consist of treating the soil around existing structures with pesticide (as well as treatment of reachable building components), are effective but problematic; it can be impossible to adequately permeate the ground evenly at a successful level, or access all parts of a home vulnerable to attack.

What is termite bait?

A termite bait system is most effectual against the subterranean termite species, which arguably is the type of termite that inflicts more damage per capita than its fellow wood devouring species, the drywood and dampwood termites. The latter two groups tend toward smaller initial swarm and colony size, whereas subterranean termites, which also nest primarily in the ground around homes and buildings release massive swarms in termite prone areas and can, have colonies that number in the millions of organisms.

A termite bait system consists of a series of “stations” implanted most often into the ground surrounding a home and which contain a cellulose based substance (frequently cardboard) permeated by termiticidal agents. A bait system works on the principle that foraging termite workers will be attracted to the “food” source in the station and will attack and consume the contents first, taking the pesticide back to the subterranean nest where it will poison and kill the colony.

Termite bait stations must be carefully designed and deployed; the pesticidal agent used must be slow acting enough that the foraging termites live long enough to return to the main colony, bodies of dead and dying termites in the vicinity of the trap have been shown to “warn” the colony to avoid the traps. The bait must also be attractive enough for the termites to target it over the rich source of food a home presents. The best termite bait system must be resistant to decomposition once in the ground as well, not be prone to being neutralized by rainfall or lawn watering.

How to Bait Termites?

© nachi.org

Termite bait treatment consists of planting termite bait boxes at fixed intervals in the ground surrounding a home. The best termite bait stations—and those most often used by professional exterminators—utilize untreated wood as bait in the initial stages of treatment. These first implantations serve as “monitor” stations which attract colony scouts, when termite activity is noted the wood can then be replaced or augmented by the pesticidal cellulose material. Stations generally are placed between 10-20 feet apart in a perimeter around the property, as foraging termites have no senses of sight or smell to help them zero in on the bait the dispersal of the stations must be adequate to allow for the “accidental” discovery of the stations by the foraging colony.

Advance termite bait systems must also be deployed during the time of the year when the termite colony is most active. In most areas in the United States this is in the spring and summer months when colony activity tends to be at its highest and the time of the year when swarms from mature colonies are actively released. Fall and winter treatments have been historically shown to be less effective; termite activity is often reduced during those months and the traps can be more prone to decomposition from wetter more damp weather patterns.

Baiting systems are not a quick fix to the termite infestation problem—but rather a long range plan best utilized in conjunction with other methods of treatment including barrier plans. The homeowner utilizing a baiting system must be flexible and persistent—willing to expand the bait station perimeter and take an active role in monitoring the stations. Results cannot be expected over night, or even in the first months or year of a successful termite bait system deployment.

Do It Yourself or Professional Bait Systems?

© greenpest.com.au

While most termite extermination efforts are best left and most cost effective in the hands of professional termite control specialists, termite baiting systems are one area in which the homeowner may be successful in applying a do it yourself mindset. Termite baiting systems can be found at Home Depot and other home improvement and hardware retailers at reasonable cost, are easy to prepare and an disperse, but they also have drawbacks.

If the initial bait system is deployed during a rainy period, the cellulose in the traps might be compromised before any discovery by termites. Lawns that are frequently watered or with built-in sprinkler systems may cause premature triggering of the stations, again before the colony has had a chance to discover the bait. Homeowners cannot expect to plant the termite bait stations into the ground and then walk away leaving them to do their work. Successful use of a home termite bait system requires diligence in maintaining the stations, which may include frequent bait replacement and the addition of more stations as needed. Home bait systems will always involve the active monitoring of the termite bait boxes by the property owner.

While initially cheaper than more advanced systems available from professional exterminators, the latter might be more cost effective in the long run due to termite bait kits needing to be frequently replaced or redeployed due to weather conditions or other factors. Most professional bait systems will be part of an ongoing multipronged extermination process, or follow up to the treatment of a property for a pre-existing infestation and as such may be part of the warranty package against reinvasion by the colony.

Costs

The amount a homeowner is willing to devote to termite baiting systems must ever be a consideration in their use. Liquid barrier treatments are often considered less costly over the long run due to the fact that follow up by the pest control company is usually limited to annual follow up visits after initial deployment. Termite baiting systems on the other hand require 3-4 or more follow up visits yearly for the purpose of monitoring and replacing bait, or implantation of more bait stations as needed. This can result in a cost up to three times that of a barrier treatment. Also, baiting stations are not a permanent solution of themselves—they must be maintained or replaced on an ongoing basis to prevent re-infestation by a colony. Because the bait itself is exhaustible and does not permeate or remain in the soil after initial ingestion by the colony, a new colony or colony satellite can reinvade the property after the resolution of the original termite problem.

While termite baiting systems can be a very effective tool in controlling termite infestation, they cannot be considered to be the sole solution for a termite problem. Rather, baiting systems are most useful as part of a comprehensive treatment program package offered by a professional termite exterminator.

First: Don’t Panic

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Hearing that you have a termite problem—or suspecting that you do–can bring about a wave of panic and visions of your home coming down around your head all at once. Termites are a probably the insect with the most economically destructive impact in the world and come by their reputation honestly, but a well ordered plan of attack against an infestation is key to a successful outcome for the homeowner.

The good news is that there are more ways than ever before to control termites and a well established industry devoted to their removal and the prevention of re-infestation. Termite colonies take years to grow and mature, which makes the best course of action less a matter of choosing between termite control methods in a blind panic than a well considered and carefully researched evaluation of the best termite control options.

Do-It Yourself or Call in the Pros?

One of the first realities that a homeowner must face is that controlling termites is not a job for the do-it-yourselfer. Even the most dedicated DIYer will find that the products available “over the counter” to the average homeowner are not effective against a termite invasion, and time wasted employing such methods will ultimately only allow a colony that much more time to grow. An early decision to call in the professionals will often pay for itself in the long run. Professional pest control experts are licensed on the national and state governmental level to use pesticides and other termite control products in levels effective to route the wily insects, which the general public has no ability to purchase, let alone use. Further, termite control experts have specialized knowledge and equipment that will enable them to launch a successful assault on the invading colony.

Finding the Best Exterminator at the Best Price

It is important however, to exercise extreme caution in contracting with an exterminator. Some general rules of thumb apply to the process.

The reputable termite exterminator will:

• Be licensed/certified, insured and bonded

• Will be able to provide written estimates based on a thorough inspection of the affected property

• Will have an established place of business

• Will offer a variety of treatment methods for controlling termites, not just one

• Will be able to provide testimonials from satisfied customers

• Will provide warranties on their service

• Be able to offer monitoring services going forward against re-infestation

A good exterminator will also likely belong to a city, state or national pest management association and be listed with your state’s official licensure entity.

It is About More Than A Price Tag

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Just as a homeowner would expect to field bids for a building addition or renovation, they should also expect to contact and invite estimates and bids from several termite exterminator businesses.

Most reputable exterminators offer initial inspections and cost estimates for treatment for free or at low cost. A homeowner should make no decision regarding pest control services without having gathered at minimum, three bids from competing companies. The standard precautions of any bidding process apply here as well—be wary of “low ball” bidders and demand explanations and clarifications from the firm submitting the highest bid. Be aware of the going market rate of termite control prices in your area, and choose carefully based on more than JUST the price.

There are additional considerations that impact the choice of a pest control service and choosing between the treatment options that they will present.

Chemical vs. Natural Termite Control

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Increasingly there has been a great deal of attention given to the safety of traditional chemical termite control products both in terms of human and animal health and impact on the environment. Some of the pesticides used for decades in controlling termites have, in recent years, been banned for use internationally. This has resulted in renewed interest in natural termite control.

Natural termite control is a bit of a misnomer, since one of the most effective chemical pesticides (used in fumigation for over 40 years) occurs naturally in the environment: methyl bromide which is produced by the world’s oceans. An organically based compound, nonetheless it has been found to have severe impact on human health and is a known cause of depletion of the ozone layer.

The term “natural termite control” is used by the modern pest control industry to indicate termite control products with a verified low toxicity to humans and negligible impact on the environment. Among these are products such as orange oil (distilled from the rinds of oranges); the use of beneficial nematodes (a parasite worm that feeds injects digestive bacteria into termites); boric acid; and Diflubenzuron (a benzamide based pesticide that inhibits production of termite chitin—the prime component in termite exoskeletons).

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Also falling into the “natural” category are mechanical means of termite extermination which include freezing, heat and electronic disruption. These methods are effective primarily only in drywood termite control where the colony lives in galleries within affected wood structures, not in the eradication of the much more pervasive and highly populous subterranean species which nest in the ground surrounding their food source and travel into the structure via mud tubes.

Chemically based methods are still among the most effective, however, and the concern about safety, health and environmental safety have resulted in chemical termite control products such as Vikane gas (which has largely replaced methyl bromide as the termiticide of choice in fumigation techniques) which have been developed to be low in toxicity and have minimal environmental impact.

The very best termite control, of course, is always prevention. The use of specially treated termite resistant building materials; soil barrier methods surrounding structures and crops; the encouragement of known termite predators in the natural environment; frequent overturning of earth to destroy and break up existing termite mounds are all effective methods of preventing termite colonies from infesting areas of economic importance to human beings.

How to control termites has been an age old problem and one that will continue to present the world with challenges as a balance is sought between effectively controlling an insidious pest that is responsible for over $30 billion dollars worth of damage each year in the United States alone. Termite control will continue to be a dynamic area for research and development of effective chemical, natural and mechanical means of treatment as long as these wood devouring pests continue to prey on the economic interests of the human population.

Get Rid of Termites With Orange Oil

There has been increasing attention given to naturally based alternatives to termite extermination in recent years, as the standard chemical pesticides have proven not only toxic to people, but harmful to the environment. One of the most promising of natural botanical pesticides is orange oil.

What is Orange Oil?

As the name implies, orange oil is derived from the citrus fruit or more correctly from its rind. The main component in orange oil is d-limonene which gives the fruit its distinctive odor and has wide practical applications in medicine, cosmetics, and solvents.

Orange oil can be cold pressed or distilled from the orange rind and is considered a natural byproduct of the extraction of orange juice. Orange oil has a high acid content, is recognized as a mild irritant to human skin due to its effect of stripping protective oils from the epidermal surface.

How It Works

Orange oil as a termite treatment is particularly effective due its impact on termite physiology. Just as it irritates human skin, the d-limonene in orange oil insecticide also compromises the integrity of the termite exoskeleton, effectively dissolving it.

In the strengths used in orange oil termite treatment, the product has an lethal “window” of approximately eight hours once a termite has encountered it. During these eight hours the termite exoskeleton is dissolved, causing a massive loss of fluids in the termite body resulting in desiccation and death. This extended period is especially useful in killing concentrated populations of termites within galleries in wood because an affected termite helps to spread the substance through the colony and to other termites it encounters (although only to a limited degree in the latter case—it is most useful and lethal when applied to galleries full of active termite organisms). Orange oil termite pesticide also permeates wood via capillary action. This poisons the termite food source; an effective secondary cause of termite death due to orange oil termite treatment.

There is evidence that orange oil, in addition to being a direct method of extermination, can also prevent re-infestation by disrupting pheromone trails within colonies of insects. This has been best studied in its use in ant colony extermination, but may have applicability to termite extermination as well. Orange oil does biodegrade, however, so its effectiveness as a long term termite repellent is limited; other products such as boron are recommended for use as long term protective option.

Method of Deployment

Application of orange oil termite treatment is accomplished through the drilling of holes into the infected structures and the injection of the oil into the wood–ideally into the termite galleries themselves. As such it is not an reliable alternative to fumigation or “tenting” extermination and is generally considered to be a localized or spot treatment which may have to be repeated several times in order to target the entire colony; tenting/fumigation remains virtually the only way to eradicate termites which are determined to be widespread in a structure due to the ability of pesticide gas to more completely permeate all areas within a dwelling. Fiber optics are utilized to target the drilling and injection sites in orange oil termite exterminations, making its application more precise, but it is still most useful on those termite invasions that are localized and not widespread. Further, because of its tendency to quickly biodegrade, orange oil is best used in cases of drywood termite infestations; it does not work well with subterranean species that nest underground.

How Effective Is It?

The effectiveness of orange oil as a termite pesticide also relates to its application by licensed professionals. Because of the need for precise detection and highly targeted drilling, do it yourself orange oil termite treatment is not generally recommended. Orange oil is not available for retail sale to the general public in strengths great enough to be considered lethal to termites (92% pure and above) due to health and safety concerns. While considered low toxicity, orange oil still presents significant risks to people sensitive to allergic reactions, and is considered to be harmful in high and repeated exposures, especially when inhaled. Because of this the only actual way to buy orange oil termite treatment is through a licensed professional exterminator.

Cost of Orange Oil Termite Treatment

Initially the average cost of an orange oil termite treatment is between $1200 to $1500, a figure which must be multiplied if localized treatments are found to be necessary in other areas of the structure separate from the original site of infestation. Other chemical means of localized termite treatment cost, on average, anywhere between $350 to $750 per application. Orange oil termite treatment cost therefore may be prohibitive unless it can be guaranteed that a colony has only infested a dwelling in a localize area. This is entirely possible early in the lifecycle of a termite colony and it is this instance that orange oil extermination will be the most advisable method.

Localized treatments in general are not effectual when a colony is determined to be widespread in a structure or have multiple colony locations (satellites) within a building. In these cases fumigation and tenting methods may not only be the most cost effective method, but the only means by which to treat a termite infestation.

As a rule of thumb, the extermination company which offers a range of treatment methods may be the best bet for the homeowner looking not only to eradicate a termite infestation but to also to keep costs in check. As a general rule a multi-method service is more likely to offer the consumer a choice of treatment options with a well defined schedule of prices readily available. Exterminators who offer only one method, be it orange oil, fumigation or chemical have a vested interest in promoting only their specialized method and may over estimate their ability to handle the actual infestation. Careful consideration must also be given to the warranties offered by services, no matter their treatment approach, to be sure that if a reinfestation occurs or part of a colony was missed that their policy will cover the costs.

The Pros and Cons in Short

Pros:

No vacating the dwelling during treatment.

No need to remove plants or pets from premises.

No bagging of food or medicine.

No need to walk on the roof (necessary in tenting)

Cons:

Orange oil will not control undetected infestations

It must be directly applied to existing termite galleries.

Large treatments with orange oil could cost more than fumigation.

Orange oil does not leave a long lasting residue for future protection against re-infestation

Orange oil requires drilling into your walls and wood members.

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Termites like bees and ants are nest or colony dwelling insects and are closely related in taxonomic terms to cockroaches. Like bees and ants they live in a rigid hierarchical social organization that goes by the scientific term “eusocial” which is generally characterized by:

• Reproductive division of labor (with or without sterile castes)

• Overlapping generations

• Cooperative care of young

The Colony Structure of Termites

Termite Mound

The termite colony structure is controlled by one reproductive pair, a queen and king. This mated pair can live as long as 70 years and is the foundation of the termite nest. The king and queen are supported by two other sterile or non-reproducing forms, the soldier and the worker termites.

Reproductives may, as a colony grows ever larger produce additional reproductives. These are usually lone queens who are controlled by the pheromones of the founding queen. Unlike other hive insects such as ants, the male reproductive king lives beyond the first mating, needing to periodically couple with the queen so that she can continue to produce fertile eggs. It may be periodically necessary for the termite colony to produce additional king reproductives as well, should something happen to the founding king.

Soldier termites are few in number in the colony and as their name suggests they function primarily as the defenders of the termite nest from predation by ants. Soldiers also build shelter and defensive fortifications for the burgeoning colony population. Soldier forms are characterized by pinchers or jaws that are so massive that the soldier termite is unable to feed itself, relying on the worker caste for sustenance.

The worker caste is by far the most populous; in any one termite nest the workers can number in the hundreds of thousands to millions. Worker termites feed and care for not only themselves but the king and queen, the soldier form, the egg brood and the juvenile or nymph workers. It is the worker caste which accounts for the destruction of homes. Only the termite workers carry the bacteria in their digestive systems that allows wood and other cellulose based matter to be digested and transformed into a food source to support the massive colony population.

The Life Cycle of a Termite Colony

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Termite settlements are established primarily by a newly mated reproductive pair arriving at a likely nest site during a “swarm”. There is also a secondary and less well understood method of colony founding called “budding”.

Swarms

Reproductives are also called “alates” and are the only winged form of the termite. They leave an established colony under favorable conditions in the early spring (but sometimes depending on species, in the late spring or summer) in a phenomenon known as “swarming”. Depending on the termite species, this is the release of between a few dozen to hundreds of the winged alates, who pair off, mate and fly off to find the proper environment in which to establish new nests.

Termite swarms generally take place during daylight hours (although the Formosan subterranean termite species is known to swarm primarily at night), may occur in one massive wave, or a series of repeated swarms during the warm months of the year.

Budding

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As noted above, a large colony will often produce additional queens, which serve not only as additional breeding stock, but also are a form of insurance against something happening to the colony queen, a phenomenon known as “budding”. If a queen dies, one of these supplementary reproductives can take over her function as primary breeder. Sometimes natural disasters and other disruptions in colony integrity occur which result in part of a colony becoming isolated from the main population. Again, supplementary queens are produced to take over and head the “new” colony. Some of the more massive termite colonies will also routinely produce so called “satellite” colonies”.

Swarming is the primary method of termite colony creation and has been more thoroughly studied and documented than has budding. It is not known with any certainty how often budding occurs as a means of colony formation but it appears to be a much more rare occurrence—something of a failsafe against natural disasters, environmental disruptions or other events that can threaten an established colony.

Founding the Colony

Once a pair of alates finds a likely nesting site, the king and queen shed their wings and burrow into the food source. The species of termite determines the choice of nesting sites—some termite species prefer decaying logs and forest settings, but subterranean, drywood and dampwood termites prefer to invade manmade structures, there to feast on the rich sources of wood and cellulose based building materials such as sheetrock, drywall, plasters, even some kinds of insulation and roofing.

Subterranean species present the largest swarms and the biggest colonies, compared to the much smaller but no less destructive drywood and dampwood species. These colonies nest first below ground level in termite mounds, then travel via mud tubes across open spaces to infiltrate cracks or gaps in foundations, siding and roofing. Invading termites have also been known to chew through metal siding and other seemingly termite proof building features to reach the wood in the substructures. Dry and dampwood termites might launch more direct assaults, swarming directly into structures via gaps and cracks in structures, through light fixtures, window sills, roof eaves and door jambs.

The Colony Flourishes

Once a breeding pair has successfully mated and founded a new termite settlement, the population may take several years to mature and grow. If not detected in the swarming stage of an infestation, this is the “calm before the storm” of the destructive potential of a termite colony. The population steadily builds –and may reach after a period of on average five years millions of organisms. By the time a colony has reached the level of maturity where it begins to produce alates in significant swarms, it is likely well established and inflicting extensive damage on the structure in which it has settled. It is still possible to eradicate a mature colony, although the affected dwelling will require extensive repair and restoration.

Termite Colony Images

A useful tool for the homeowner is a library of images of termite colonies at various stages of formation and development. The images below may be useful for identifying a potential colony in and around a dwelling which is suspected to be under assault by a termite infestation.

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