Controlling a Termite Infestation
Termite infestations can cause thousands of dollars of damage to the affected property. Additionally, they cause the value of the property to decrease, making it difficult to sell in the future. When detected early, this problem can be dealt with urgently, preventing extensive damage from occurring.
It is important to carry out routine termite inspections of all buildings. These inspections should be done by termite pest control experts who know what signs to look for. These signs may be overlooked by other pest control operators who aren't experts in this area.
Signs of a termite infestation
Although all signs cannot be identified without the aid of professional equipment, certain signs can be clearly seen and should not be ignored. These include:
Swarms of termites: These may be visible in the external surroundings of the house and consist of male and female termites looking start a new colony.
Wooden structures sounding 'hollow': Give a few knocks on wooden structures and listen for a hollow sound. As the wood is eaten away from the inside, only the outside remains, resulting in this classic hollow sound.
Clicking noise emerging from walls: This noise comes from soldier termites knocking their heads against the wall in response to danger, the noise also comes from termites munching on wood.
Dark brown pulp around wooden structures: This is a mixture of termite faeces, saliva and chewed wood.
Small numbers of termites may also be visible inside the home: These should be cleared using a household vacuum before pest control arrives.
How is an infestation treated?
Initially, the pest control operator will carry out a thorough inspection of the property. They will look for signs of an infestation, and if an infestation is present, they will assess how severe it is. If the infestation is in its initial stages, less invasive measures will be used to get the situation under control. These include preventative measures, such as reducing moisture around wooden structures.
In a severe infestation, bait boxes are placed strategically around the property. These contain a substance that is toxic only to termites and harmless otherwise. The termites consume this bait and take it back to their colony. In this manner, the entire colony can be eradicated. Termite insecticides are only used as a last resort as they consist of strong chemicals. If these are used, the property may need to be vacated for the day to carry out the treatment.
Share