Termite Treatment Options

There are 2 main choices for termite treatment options in a residential home. They are chemical treatments using repellents or non-repellents, and baiting systems using baits. Both termite treatment options can provide great results. In this post we will discuss both treatment options and when they work best.

Termidor Termite Treatments

When we think of liquid, non-repellent, chemical termite treatments, Termidor is the only name that comes to mind. This termiticide made by BASF, is THE name in termite treatments. We use a Termidor HE which is a great product to treat the termite colony fast.

Termidor works by using the termites social colony against them. Once the termite comes in contact with the termiticide, it does not die right away. This is a good thing because we want that termite to spread the chemical to his friends and family. Those termites that have contacted the first termites spread it to others and so on and so on. Since the chemical is a non-repellent, the termites can’t detect it and will happily contact it or eat wood that was treated with Termidor.

Let’s look at how we use Termidor HE for our Termite Treatments

Prepping for Termite Treatments

We have established through a thorough inspection that your home has termites. Now it is time to prep your home for a termite treatment. Since the termites that we have in Chester County and throughout the State of Pennsylvania are subterranean, we need to focus our prep on the ground and soil. We will need access to the entire perimeter foundation of your home. Even if the termites are only found in one section of your home, the entire structure needs to be treated.

Remove any moveable obstructions from the area around the foundation of the home. This includes garden hoses, flower pots, and other objects.
Contact PA PUC to have them properly find and mark any and all buried electrical lines, gas lines, plumbing pipes, cable lines, and other hidden obstructions.
Check for wells, drains, and other water sources that are close to the home.
Identify and remove sources of moisture from the foundation. This includes improper and damaged downspouts, gutters overflowing, and grading issues.

Termidor Termite Treatment

Note: Termidor HE should only be applied by licensed PA Pesticide Applicators.

ALWAYS read and follow the label on the chemical as writte

We will trench around the structure approximately 2 inches deep and 4 inches wide. Depending on the type of construction, the application may even go to a depth of 2 feet. Using a our power spraying equipment we attach a trenching rod to apply the chemical into the soil. The label on the Termidor HE will dictate how many gallons per linear foot we will apply.

After the Termite Treatment, Now What?

After a termite treatment has been successfully completed, there are more options moving forward. We offer warranties that stay with the home that cover if the termites return. There are monitors that can be placed around the perimeter of the home to identify termite activity in the future. Between the termite warranties and a monitoring system, you can rest assured that your termite issue is under control.

Repellent Chemical Termite Treatments

The repellent chemical termite treatments are very similar to the non-repellent termite treatments. The only big difference is how the chemical works and what effects it has on the termites and the colony. For non-repellent chemical treatments, we rely on the termites not detecting the chemical and spreading it to one another. With repellent termite treatments, that is not the case.

Repellent chemicals kill the termites on contact. The termites do not pass along or transfer the chemical to one another. This type of treatment has its advantages and disadvantages. An advantage of using this type of treatment would be in preventative termite treatments. With preventative termite treatments, the termites would die on contact and the colony would not move into the home. The disadvantage is if the colony is already established in the home, then you may be killing just the workers and the colony remains undisturbed.

Termite Bait Systems

Termite bait systems offer a non-liquid chemical approach to termite control. The idea is that wood and cellulose baited stations are installed around the exterior perimeter of the home. These stations are checked throughout the year and if termite activity is noted in the station then treatment begins.

If termite activity is found in the station, the cellulose cartridge is removed and a termiticide cartridge is placed into the station. Similar to the Termidor, the termites eat the bait and take it back to the colony. After a few months the termite colony is destroyed and the monitors remain in place. The monitors are then left to be checked on a yearly basis to see if the termites are active. If activity is found, the same process is repeated.

Here is the baiting/monitoring system that we use.

Pros/Cons of baiting systems

What I like about the baiting systems are that you can visually see the progress of the termite treatments. Since the termites live underground, it is difficult to measure the effectiveness of the termite treatment if using only a liquid treatment.

The cons of using a baiting/monitoring system is that the treatment takes longer to eradicate the colony than the liquid termite treatments. Also, since you are putting pure cellulose into the soil, you could attract termites from the surrounding area that would have otherwise not come near your home. Lastly, the stations are moisture prone and I have found ant colonies LOVE to make the stations their homes.

Termite Treatment Costs

The cost for a termite treatment is affected by a few factors. They include:

Total length of your foundation (Total Linear Feet)
Severity of Infestation
Type of ground around your home (concrete will require additional drilling)
Moisture Issues
Wells or drains near the home
Type of treatment option
Warranty length

Termite Control Chester County — Pest Control Chester County

Termite Treatments Chester County

If you live in Chester County and have a termite issue, we can help. Out experienced and licensed termite technicians will inspect your home and provide you with an affordable treatment option. Termite warranties stay with the home so even if you sell your home, the warranty transfers to the new owners.

Give us a call or send us a message to get termite free today!