Termites cost American homeowners billions of dollars in damages each year. And unfortunately, almost every dwelling is at risk from these invasive pests. There are two main types of termite extermination methods available and each has different benefits. If you’re concerned that your Elmont, NY, home is affected by termite damage, contact Biotech Termite & Pest Control for help.
How Do You Know if You Have Termites?
Early detection is the best way to minimize the effects and associated costs of a termite infestation. You may need a professional to verify an infestation, but there are some early warning signs that you can watch out for.
When wood damage due to termites is present in your home, various problems can develop. Look for issues such as blistered or sagging floors, unexplained cracks in walls or ceilings, and windows and doors that no longer slide smoothly. Weakened or hollow-sounding wood is another indicator that termites may be feeding under the surface.
Contacting a pest control specialist is the best way to determine if you have a termite problem. Biotech Termite & Pest Control know how to spot termite eggs and larvae and can differentiate between termite swarmers and flying ants. A professional exterminator may also use monitoring stations to identify underground colonies.
Liquid Termite Treatments
Liquid termite treatments create a barrier between a structure and the ground in an attempt to block all termite entry points. They can be used indoors or outdoors and can also be applied within building foundations to create a protective barrier.
Liquid termite treatments provide immediate protection and also help guard against future attacks. Termiticides remain active for approximately 5 years after application. Treating new buildings at the time of construction will help prevent future attacks.
Liquid treatments are undetectable to termites. When a termite attempts to cross the barrier, they either die, are repelled, or carry the solution back to the nest and transfer it to other termites. There are a variety of different termiticides available for use by pest control specialists. Under today’s restrictions, all are safe for use when applied properly.
Termite Baiting Systems
Termite baiting is a safe and unobtrusive method of termite control. Bait stations are placed around the perimeter of a property or in the ground outside of the home. Termites find the bait stations when they are foraging. If the bait stations are properly located, the termites will locate them before they make it to the home. The traps contain wood that termites like to eat, encouraging them to ingest the bait and carry it back to their colonies.
Bait systems do not work as fast as liquid treatments, but over time they effectively eliminate entire colonies. It’s important to use a slow-acting bait because termites can detect fast-acting poisons and will avoid the traps. Slow acting termite baits can take months to infect an entire colony, but this results in a much higher elimination rate.
Termite baiting systems are proactive and can prevent termites from ever reaching your home. They also don’t involve any harsh chemicals which many people feel is safer for their family and pets.
Combining Treatments
If termites have already reached your home, a combination of both liquid and bait treatments may be the best method for termite extermination. Spot treating entry points with liquid treatments and placing bait traps outside the home provides two-fold protection. It stops termites from feeding and provides an alternate method that destroys the colony.