Prevention: don’t create an environment that is likely to attract termites!
- Do not place plants too close to structures.
When plants are growing close to buildings they provide food and moisture for termites. It also makes it difficult to see any signs of damage.
- Remove potential food sources.
Don’t leave lumber, wood, cardboard, paper products and plant debris around structures. Anytime there is direct wood to soil contact it creates an ideal condition for termite infestation.
- Eliminate moisture sources.
Leaky faucets and sprinklers create ideal soil conditions for termites.
- Perform regular termite inspections.
Regular termite inspections will allow you to identify areas conducive to termites. Early detection will help prevent damage and save you on costly repairs.
Control: getting rid of termites.
- Soil insecticides – chemicals are applied to the soil creating a barrier or toxic zone around and below the structure. Termites are killed when termites come into contact with the toxic chemicals. Repellent chemicals will not necessarily kill all the termites but it will keep them from coming into the treated area.
- Physical barriers – create an obstacle that the termites cannot penetrate.
- Basaltic Termite Barrier – perfect sized, particles of rock packed underneath the house to form a barrier which the termites are unable to penetrate.
- Termi-mesh – stainless steel screen with holes too small for the termites to penetrate. The screen is installed under the house to provide a barrier. It can also be used to for cold joints in concrete and other problem areas.
- Baiting stations – Stations are placed around the home and when termites are detected in the station bait tubes are placed in the stations. Termites feed on the bait that is spread through the colony by workers who feed the rest of the colony. The chemical interferes with the further development of termites, killing them
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