How to Get Rid of Termites Once and for All

Termites are the most destructive pests to a home. They can consume wood and plant-based materials until nothing remains. Here’s the ultimate guide to getting rid of termites from a professional termite exterminator’s perspective.

The best way to rid your home of termites is to have it professionally inspected on a regular basis. Of course, you must also keep an eye on things yourself in between inspections.

Termites can infiltrate your home in two ways: by air and through the ground (assuming they weren’t already there). A dry wood termite infestation happens when an existing colony releases flying termite swarmers. When these swarmers find a wooden crevice in your home, they shed their wings, carve out a small nest, and begin laying eggs in order to establish a new termite colony.

Subterranean termites, on the other hand, have underground colonies and may enter your home through the foundation. While foraging for food, these termites may come across a rich new food source – your house. Subterranean termites frequently construct mud tunnels over foundation walls to gain access to the structure’s wooden components.

As soon as you suspect you have a termite infestation, we recommend consulting us for termite inspections and termite control.

Signs of a Termite Infestation

Termites can cause significant structural and economic damage to homes and commercial buildings. They can also eat their way through furniture, paper products, fabrics, clothing, footwear, and even non-cellulose materials such as soft plastics, building sealants, and rigid foam insulation.

They aren’t always obvious, but here are a few indicators that termites are wreaking havoc on your home.

• Mud shelter tubes can be found in brick foundations or architraves.
• Hollow-sounding wood  
• Floors or doors that are sagging.
• Skirting boards, door jams, and architraves are easily damaged because termites affected the structural integrity of the timber 
• Cracks in paint and plaster
• Power outages 

Temperature and rainfall appear to have the greatest influence on termite activity, followed by the age of the house. If you come across a termite nest on your property, don’t disturb it: the termites may abandon the area, relocate, and go undetected.

If you suspect termite activity in your home, schedule a professional termite inspection as soon as possible to determine the best course of action.

Why should you book a professional termite control service?

The Building Code of Australia requires termite management systems to be installed in all new homes and extensions in every state, except for Tasmania, where the termite risk is negligible.

Homes built after July 1995 must have a “durable notice” of treatment in a prominent location in the building that includes the following information:

• method of termite control
• installation date
• the average lifespan (for chemical barriers)
• future inspections suggested

How to Get Rid of a Termite Infestation

If you’re constructing a new home or performing extensive renovations, make sure to include appropriate physical or chemical barriers. Some can be retrofitted, but it is preferable to install them during the construction process.

What are Termite Baiting and Termite Barriers?

Termite baiting and termite barriers are the most common methods of termite extermination. 

Using a bait system is quick and simple. When you want to get rid of pesky pests on your own, you can use a termite bait system. Termite baiting allows you to apply the pesticide directly to the soil. The termites will eventually find this bait, feast on it, and die.

A termite bait system has the advantage of being able to be used in areas where soil pesticides cannot be applied, such as near a well or a swimming pool.

This is a less toxic but more expensive option that will necessitate regular maintenance. Monitoring and bait stations use trace amounts of low-toxic chemicals that affect the exoskeleton of the termite and kill it without harming other animals or humans.

How do termite exterminators remove a termite infestation once and for all?

• The pest control expert installs a baiting station (or several) near the house, usually in the ground.
• The station is checked on a regular basis, repositioned if necessary, and bait is added to replenish the station when termites are discovered.
• The termites return to their nest with the bait and spread it through grooming until the colony is wiped out.

Because there is no guarantee that the termites will find the bait, using a monitoring and bait station as your sole method of termite management is generally not a good idea. So most pest control experts recommend using termite barriers as well. 

There are two types of termite barriers: physical and chemical.

Physical Termite Barriers

Physical barriers are long-lasting, non-toxic, and require little if any, maintenance or renewal. They will not kill termites, but they will keep them from entering your home.

Physical barriers are classified into four types:

• Termite shields (also called ant caps) 
• Woven stainless steel mesh 
• Composite systems 
• Reticulation systems 

Chemical termite barriers

Chemical barriers, on the other hand, are placed beneath and around concrete slabs, as well as around building piers and footings. They require upkeep and renewal. They create a zone of treated soil that can last for several years before it needs to be re-treated.

If you choose chemical barriers after building a new home, trenching and concrete drilling may be required.

Enviro PCS: Termite Control Sydney

If you are concerned about termites causing damage to your property, please contact Enviro PCS to schedule an inspection. We guarantee professional and effective termite treatments that will last for years using the industry’s most effective and non-toxic termite control product. We look forward to assisting you.