How to Get Rid of Termites!
Should I worry about Termites?
There are numerous answers to these questions. Although it may seem like a minor problem, termites can eventually lead to very heavy costly repairs to your house. It may seem that termites are only present at a certain location in your homes, however, these pests are always spread throughout, nesting in the foundations. It is imperitive to exterminate the nest of termites in order to get rid of these pests. If termites are not removed timely, they eventually damage all wood work in the house. In that scenario, the wood has to be removed and replaced, and proper termite treatment still needs to be conducted. Homeowners are reluctant to choose a proper 'Termite Proofing' solution due to the cost. However, extensive repairs are even costlier.
Termites cause heavy damage to residential houses and commercial buildings each year in Lahore, Pakistan. They primarily feed on wood, but also damage paper, books, insulation, and even swimming pool liners and filtration systems. Termites can injure living trees and shrubs, but more often are a secondary invader of woody plants already in decline. While termites may infest buildings at any time, they are particularly relevant when buying or selling a home. Besides the monetary impact, thousands of winged termites emerging inside one's home are an emotionally trying experience — not to mention the thought of termites silently feasting on one's largest investment. They cause expensive damage to existing structure lead to lengthy repair works and high 'Termite Treatment Costs'.
Why are termites often discovered in the spring season?
In the spring season, a large number of flying winged termites, known as 'swarmers' typically emerge inside buildings. In nature, termites swarm to disperse and start new colonies. Triggered by warmer temperatures and rainfall, the winged termites emerge from the colony and fly into the air. The swarmers then drop to the ground, shed their wings, pair off with a mate, and attempt to begin new colonies in the soil. Termite swarmers emerging inside a home are incapable of damaging wood and only live for about a day. Removal can be accomplished with a broom or vacuum. The emergence of flying termites in a house is a clear indication of a nest of termites in the vicinity, and the house should be treated immediately. There are also other clear 'Signs of Termite Infestation'. There are also a number of different reasons for 'What Causes Termites' in houses, and the necessary steps which can be taken to avoid any future infestations.
What are signs for a termite infestation in my home?
Discovering winged termites indoors almost always indicates a serious infestation warranting treatment. Since the winged termites or swarmers are attracted to light, they often are witnessed around tubelights, bulbs, doors and windows. Ofthen winged termites are mistaken for flying ants. Flying ants also tend to swarm around the same season. Termites have straight antennae, a uniformly thickened waist, and wings of equal size. On the other hand, ants have elbowed antennae, constricted waists, and forewings that are longer than the hind wings.
Another clear sign of a subterrenian termite infestation are earthen mud tubes extending over foundation walls, support piers, window sills etc. As shown in the picture, the mud tubes are typically about the diameter of a pencil, but sometimes can be thicker. The main reason for the construction of these mud tubes is shelter while forging for wood and returning to their colony below the surface. To help determine if an infestation is active, the tubes may be broken open and checked for the presence of small, creamy-white worker termites. Termite-damaged wood is hollowed out along the grain, with bits of dried mud or soil lining the feeding galleries.
You can find more about 'Signs of Termite Infestation' from our page.
Can I perform a complete termite treatment myself and save cost?
It’s best not to for home infestations. Ridding a home of termites requires special skills and tools. A knowledge of building construction is needed to identify critical areas where termites are likely to enter and where termite treatment is required. Many of these potential points of entry are hidden and difficult to access. Termite control also utilizes specialized equipment such as powerful masonry drills, large-capacity spray tanks, and long metal rods for injecting termiticides in the foundation. A typical termite treatment may involve hundreds of gallons of a liquid pesticide, known as a termiticide, injected into the ground along the foundation, beneath concrete slabs, and within foundation walls.
Moreover, the type of termite infestation can also play a major factor in determining whether the treatment can be done by yourself. Drywood termites are locally present in door frames, window sills etc. and can be treated by an individual with the proper concentration of termitcide. However, as previously stated, subterranean termites requires special skills and equipment, and its best to reach out to your local 'pest control service', like Safe Havens Enterprises.
Which termite control method is most effective?
The type of termite control method is highly dependent on the type of termite infestation. Hence, it is very important to identify the correct breed of termites through different Signs of Termite Infestation.
In Pakistan, due to the high temperatures and monsoon rainfall index, two types of termites are usually found. Subterrenian and Dampwood. There are two general categories of termite treatment or such termites, liquid termiticides and baits. Liquid termiticides have been around for many decades. Their purpose is to provide a long-lasting “barrier” in the soil that prevents termites from entering and infesting buildings and houses. In most cases, termites already within the building die off as well, since they cannot return to the soil and their nests for supplemental moisture. Safe Havens Enterprises termiticide, PROTECT, is non-repellent and has a two prone action. You can read more about benefits of our product on our Termite Control Service page. Such products are usually more reliable for termite control infestations in the first attempt. Please contact us before you choose to perform any termite control method.
You are also advised to read more about 'Best Termite Treatments'.
Does the whole house need termite treatment or should I just treat where I see termites?
Subterranean termite colonies may contain many thousands of individuals foraging in numerous directions. For this reason, localized spot termite treatments are usually a gamble except in cases of warranty related treatment or drywood termites. Most reputable pest control companies will not warrant spot treatments, since it is likely that termites will eventually find other points of entry into the building.
Many termite control companies do offer what are termed "perimeter" applications of termite proofing, using a liquid product such as PROTECT. Typically, this involves termite treatment around the entire exterior of the home, and spot treating any infested or high-risk interior areas. Due to the reliability of such termite treatments, Safe Havens Enterprises also offers a warranty in the event termites return.
How long will the termite treatment remain effective?
All liquid termiticides are supposed for termite control for at least 5 (five) years when applied according to label directions. The duration of control on any given home will depend on several factors, including: which termiticide product was used, thoroughness of application, area of application, local environmental conditions and density of termites on the property. If termites swarm and continue to infest the structure the year following termite treatment, it is not from degradation of the termiticide; but rather, because the pests have found an untreated gap in the chemical barrier.