Best Termites Control and Prevention strategies around the Home

A termite’s most basic needs are food, moisture and warmth. In the absence of any of these, they will either die or migrate to a place where conditions are favorable. Termites are social insects which live in colonies and mainly feed on cellulose which is the main building block of wooden objects. There are three main types of termite groups classified by their feeding habits; Subterranean, dry wood or grass eating. These three types contribute most to damage of property that leads to millions of dollars worth of economic losses.

The most common termites control strategy employed is the use of liquid termite chemicals. These chemicals are applied around and beneath a building during or after construction, thus preventing termites from gaining access to a structure. They act as a chemical blanket around a building denying the termites access. Advantages of the liquid treatment method are that it lasts many years and provides immediate protection. The method is relatively cheaper and less complicated.

Use of bait system is another method of termite control. It consists of a plastic ground station where untreated wood or other termite food is placed. They are monitored once per month or as set by the system provider. If termites are detected, they are trapped and fed with a slow acting toxicant. As the other termites come in contact, they get poisoned and die. It’s much safer to use because not much chemical is poured into the ground.

Use of sand barriers is another method employed to prevent destruction by subterranean termites. This method is very successful if very tiny sand particles are used. A layer of sand is placed and compacted along trenches in foundation walls. The right grade of sand to be used can easily be purchased from hardware stores. A slab barrier method can also be employed. It uses the same strategy as sand barriers, preventing termites from boring holes into the structure.

Metal shields are also employed in termite prevention strategy. They form a physical barrier that termites cannot penetrate through. It can be used in combination with slab material. All the joints should be well soldered or sealed using bitumen based sealant. Other simple strategies and prevention methods that can be applied are digging up and removing dead tree stamps around the home, use of termite resistant wood species like cedar, removing piles and trash away from home, chemical treatment of timber and avoiding contact of ground by wood.