Termites can undoubtedly cause significant amount of damage to homes and offices. And while termites mostly devour on wood structures and products, they also have a penchant for trees, paper, and anything that has cellulose. By employing termite treatment solutions, property owners can further avoid destruction of their precious belongings.
Now, the question is that what are the types of termite treatments, and what is the best termite treatment?
There are a few types of termite treatment methods: Depending of which type of termites attacking what type of property, we can offer different methods and options and recommendations for termite treatments. After a thorough termite inspection we can provide a solution to eliminate termites in your property or prevent (monitor) any future termite attack.
We offer different products for example Nemesis Baiting and/or Termidor Dusting to treat active subterranean termite colonies.
Termite Bait Method – Termite baiting uses a unique approach. Termites eat the bait and share it with the rest of the colony. With just a small amount of toxicant materials, termite baits when applies correctly, kill every single member of the population of termites wandering in and around the structure. Plus, termite baiting method is an effective alternative where the property is untreatable with termiticides (near a body of water for instance), or when there is an issue about pesticide use, and even when termite barrier treatment failed.
Termite Barrier Treatment – For many years, the traditional method of treating subterranean termites is by applying a liquid pesticide (termiticide) directly to the soil. The purpose is to create a continuous chemical barrier around and under the structure, which blocks all possible routes of termite access. Termites that try to penetrate the treated soil are either repelled (repellent) or killed (non-repellent). However, some termite entry points are concealed behind walls, floorings, and other obstacles, making termite chemical barrier challenging to accomplish. And sometimes even if access is not a concern, it is difficult to evenly soak the soil and apply a thorough coverage. Termite barrier treatment may also require a significant amount of termiticides to be instilled into the ground along the foundation, underneath concrete slabs, and within foundation walls.
Choosing the right termite treatment method is a case to case basis and depends on many factors. That’s why property owners should not expect for one termite treatment type that is all effective. Both methods of termite infestation elimination are effective as long as instructions are properly followed. It is always recommendable to contact a professional termite exterminator and let them do what they do best—eliminating termites.
Termites have bred on Earth for at least the past 250 million years. And there are different kinds of termites—depending on your location and climate. Also, where termites build a colony depends on their types of specie and their ability to survive in warmer or colder environments. Read on below to learn more about the different termite species.
Drywood Termites – Just as the name implies, drywood termites dwell in dry wood like trees, houses, furniture, and other wooden structures. Unlike other termite species, they don’t require contact with the soil in order to live. Drywood termites can also endure dry conditions for long periods of time, as they obtain moisture from the wood they consume, and the metabolism they use to process the wood. As such, they can usually be found in warmer climates that don’t reach freezing points during winter. Drywood termites generally aim for the wood in your home’s structural timbers, frames, furniture, and hardwood flooring. Unfortunately, you might not readily detect the damage for several years because these types of termites are slow workers. But since they live above the ground, their activities are more evident, making them easier to identify and control. A clear indication of dry wood termite infestation is dry and powdery pellets scattered around wooden structures in your household. These pellets can either be their faecal matters or wood particles they are feeding on.
Subterranean Termites – Also known as “ground termites,” subterranean termites dwell in the soil underground, and burrow up to the surface in a complex system that enables them to access nearby food supplies. Sometimes, they can even reach to roughly 130 feet in earnest search for wood. The most destructive and aggressive specie of termite, subterranean termites can insatiably consume as much as 15 pounds of wood and other cellulose materials weekly. They prefer soft, spring wood fibre, which means their damaged wood has a honeycombed appearance, with only the grain left behind. Unlike drywood termite colonies, subterranean termite colonies can house thousands of workers, and create mud tubes as pathways to their food sources.
Formosan Termites – Originated in East Asia, Formosan termites are also subterranean type of termites, and deemed to be the most destructive specie. They can easily be distinguished from other subterranean termites by their slightly bigger size and brownish-yellow bodies. While most subterranean termites generally need soil contact to get moisture for survival, Formosan termites are capable of building cartons (nests inside the colony made of chewed wood, soil and unprocessed cellulose) to preserve water source for the colony until they can discover a more stable water supply. Formosan termite colonies are usually bigger than subterranean ones, amounting to hundreds of thousands of members. The size difference and not the eating speed of Formosan termites allow them to cause considerably more serious damage than other types of termites.
Dampwood Termites – Around 1 inch in size, dampwood termites are the largest specie of termite. They don’t have worker caste, and the nymphs assume all the responsibilities typically done by the workers. And while dampwood termites don’t require soil contact to survive, they need wood with high moisture composition. As such, dampwood termites generally proliferate in cool, humid areas near the coast—and can endure even extreme flooding. They can be found in damp or rotting wood in logs, dead trees and stumps, and woods that are in direct contact with soil or kept near water. Dampwood termites may plague buildings, utility poles and wood stacks if these have wood-to-ground contact, and areas dampened by water leaks; however, infestations in structures are uncommon. If you have dampwood termite infestations, all you have to do is reduce the moister in that environment. Termites will then disappear from those area.
Many home owners are tempted to try Do It Yourself or DIY Termite Control. This clever TV advertisment from America for Termidor includes termites describing what they think of DIY Termite Protection. Yes there are LOTS of practical things homeowners can do to avoid or reduce the chance of termites destroying your home – but don’t be fooled. Termites are powerful little insects.
Enjoy this Termidor Home Termite Control video.
On American TV you will see some funny advertisements for Termite Control. Here is just one for Termidor Home Termite Control.
I can’t imagine this advert in Australia but I think you will enjoy it anyway.
Termidor dust is an effective termite treatment as it can kill a termite colony. Termidor dust can only be applied by trained pest controllers. The termites pick up the dust on their bodies. They then return to their colony. This infects the colony.
As termites are also cannibals they eat the poisoned body and die. In this way the poison can quickly spread through the entire termite nest.
Termite damage on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and North Shore costs home owners thousands of dollars. Regular termite inspections and termite monitoring is a sensible way of protecting homes.
Watch this 1.20 minute video
