Preparation
Before applying termite control products, it is important that you take some preparatory steps. This includes:
- Inspecting the infested area and identifying the exact locations of the termites, as well as surveying the area to ensure that the products will be applied properly.
- Removing any furniture, debris, and other items that may be obstructing access to the infested areas.
Once the area is cleared, you can move onto the next step.
Identify the type of termite infestation
Identifying the type of termite infestation is an essential first step for successful termite control. There are two main types of termites that can cause damage to buildings and houses – subterranean and drywood.
- Subterranean termites live in nests located either in humid soil near a building, or inside walls and wooden structures.
- Drywood termites usually build colonies in isolated pieces of wood, such as dead branches and logs, which may lie nearby a structure but not necessarily be connected to it.
Before applying any treatment measures, it’s important to determine precisely where the infestation is located and what kind of termite it is. Both types require different solutions – subterranean require moisture-eliminating prevention strategies, while drywood need specialized fumigation treatments.
Inspecting the damage carefully can help you decide on an appropriate solution. Wood structures should be checked for signs of activity including mud tunnels or burrowed galleries, while above-ground nests like tree stumps need further investigation if they are suspected as harboring a colony of drywood termites.
Choose the right product for the job
When tackling termite control, it’s important to select the appropriate product for the job. Different products are prepared differently, and you will need to do your research before you start. Choose a product with active ingredients that can kill existing pests and such as chlorfenapyr, bifenthrin or imidacloprid.
If you are doing preventative treatments, there are other active ingredients to consider such as dinotefuran which have longer residuals ensuring protection well after drying has occurred. Additionally, foam products offer next-level reach as they can go even further into hard-to-reach places where other trench and drill methods won’t go.
Make sure to consult a professional before using any form of chemical treatment on wood structures due to the toxicity of some chemicals used in termite control products.
Application
Applying termiticides to control termites is an important step in termite control. If done correctly, it will help you eliminate the infestation and prevent further damage to your home. It is essential to understand the right type of product, the right application method for the product, and the safety precautions to take when applying the product.
Therefore, in this section we will discuss the different methods of applying termite control products:
Prepare the area for treatment
Before starting with any type of termite control product, it is important to prepare the area for treatment. This is an important step to ensure that the product and application process are successful. After all, there’s no point in investing time and money in a treatment if you don’t have a properly prepared surface.
First and foremost, it is important to remove any furnishings around the areas being treated. This includes furniture, rugs, curtains, cardboard boxes, stored clothing and other items that could possibly be contaminated by the chemical application process. Once these items have been removed from the treatment area they need to be properly cleaned or disposed of as they can contain insect eggs or larvae which can quickly re-infest your home or business.
The next step involves clearing away any vegetation or debris around the foundation of your home such as mulch, leaves, woodpiles and rocks as these can create ideal nesting grounds for termites to hide in before infiltrating your building structure or walls. Also check for entry points around doors and windows where termites may be entering from outside with caulking material or steel mesh which can prevent an infestation from happening again. If you are applying a liquid product like Termidor® SC then be sure to fill any cracks or seal off all gaps where water could collect as this will help reduce future problems with termite activity.
Apply the product according to instructions
When applying termiticide, it is important to follow the instructions carefully as these products can be dangerous to use if not used properly. Never apply more of the product than is recommended, as this will likely cause damage to the soil and other plants in the area. This could also harm any beneficial insects or animals in the area.
Before using any products, check with your local authorities regarding safety regulations and applicator training requirements in your area. Make sure you use protective clothing when handling pesticides and read all label instructions before applying any products.
Put on protective gear such as rubber gloves and long pants and shirts, even if you are using a liquid form that comes in a pressurized can. Keep children, pets, or anyone else away from the treatment areas while you are spraying or working with granules so they do not come in contact with chemicals that might be lingering on plants or soil.
Always follow careful product applications instructions for treating soil around foundations and for injecting into wood materials for termite control; including trenching around building perimeters. Also pay special attention to instructions for applying product around plumbing lines, gas lines, inside electrical boxes, etc., which are used especially when treating homes where a full subsurface termite application has been requested.
Monitor the area for signs of termite activity
It is important to regularly inspect the area for signs of termite activity. Any wood that is accessible should be examined for mud tubes, frass, or other telltale signs of termites.
To more effectively monitor the area, consider using trapping devices that use a baited pesticide to lure and kill termites in a discreet fashion. If live activity is found, contact a licensed pest control company for additional help.
Post-Application
After you have applied the appropriate termiticide product, it is important to monitor the effectiveness of the product. You may need to retreat if the infestation persists. However, it is important to follow all recommendations and guidelines listed on the product label to ensure safe and effective use of the termiticide.
In this section, we will discuss the post-application steps for applying termiticide products:
Clean up any residual product
Once the application is complete, any residual product should be cleaned up. This includes dust which can be a breeding ground for dust mites that cause allergies. Any equipment and containers used in the application process should be decontaminated or washed with warm soapy water to prevent any further infestation and spread of the termite control products.
Depending on where you applied the products, some local and state regulations may require that you clean up any residual product before leaving the area. Make sure to check with your local pest control companies to ensure that you follow all safety protocols and avoid liabilities. Also, if you are using any non-approved products (such as borates or fumigants), ensure that all personnel wear personal protective equipment when handling the products before and after application.
Once done, perform a general clean-up of nearby areas to ensure that no traces of product are left in your living space or office area.
Monitor the area for any signs of termite activity
Once the termite control product is applied, it is important to monitor the area for any potential future signs of termite activity. This will help ensure that the product is effectively protecting your home from an infestation. Signs of termites may include the presence of mud tubes on walls, cracked or bubbling paint or a visible swarmer.
It may also be helpful to set up monitoring stations that contain wood and cellulose-based bait for any potential subterranean termites, and food sources for drywood species of termites if applicable. For more advanced techniques, professional pest management firms may offer both chemical and non-chemical monitoring services designed to track in-ground activity such as termite presence or moisture conditions in soil requiring treatment amendment or retreatment schedule.
Reapply the product as needed
Termite control products should be re-applied at regular intervals to maintain their effectiveness and to ensure that any new pests that have found their way into your home do not become a problem. Depending on the type of product you are using, it may need to be re-applied every three months, or even more frequently in areas prone to infestation.
An easy way to keep track of when a product needs re-application is with a calendar. Make sure the calendar is checked regularly, so you don’t miss any treatment dates due to an oversight. Alternatively, some products come with instructions that clearly state when it needs to be reapplied for maximum effectiveness. By following these instructions, you are ensuring your termite control efforts remain effective over time.
The type of product also has an effect on how often it needs reapplication as well as the selected area: some products will offer long-term protection while others may need more frequent applications; others may be slower acting but last longer; and in certain cases additional treatments will be needed between applications depending on the size and type of affected area. When in doubt, always refer back to the manufacturer’s instructions for details and safety precautions regarding use of the product or contact a professional pest management service for help with controlling termites in your home or property.