TERMITE TREATMENT OPTIONS


Termite treatments began early in the 20th century and included treating the soil with a diesel based termiticide. Obviously, this kind of treatment caused environmental havoc in the process of protecting homes from termites. Other products were developed, including a product that was used for decades called Chorodane.

Because of the long residual (long lasting) nature of this product, it was used for termite treatments for decades. In the late 1980's, concern over the environmental impact of chloranated florocarbons resulted in banning Chorodane.

Since the termite control industry relied so heavily on Chordane for so long, this governmental action forced the industry to pursue other treatment options.

There are two basic treatments available;

BAITING PROGRAMS CONVENTIONAL TREATMENTS
Conventional treatments involve injecting a liquid termiticide into the ground around the foundation to establish a uniform barrier to keep the termites out. A baiting program involves putting bait around the structure so the termites can feed on the bait and eventually die.

Conventional Termite Treatments

Conventional termite treatments differ little from the termite treatments associated with Chlorodane treatments, except for the products that are used. The treatments involve putting a continuous termiticide barrier around the foundation to prevent termites from entering the structure. For specific procedures on how this is accomplished, check out How a professional treats your home .

The most common products available for conventional termite treatments include:

Dursban
Dragnet
Talstar
Prevail

The advantage of a conventional termite treatment program is that it stops the termites immediately. Although all termite treatments are not 100 percent effective, this treatment, if done by a qualified termite treatment company, is the most effective, averaging 80 - 85% effective with the first treatment. The major disadvantage with this type of treatment is that it is very obtrusive. It involves injecting a termiticide into the ground on both the outside and the inside of the foundation and may require drilling holes through the floor of your foundation.

Baiting Programs

There are several baiting systems available today. These include:

  • Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System was the first effective baiting program to be released on the market. It was developed by Dow Chemical Company in conjunction with the University of Florida. Over extensive tests, Dow claims that this system actually eliminates termite colonies. This system is now used at the Statue of Liberty and the White House, among other prominent locations.
  • First Line was developed about the same time as Sentricon and was released later the same year. First Line, developed by FMC Chemical Corp., kills the termites by using a slow acting stomach poison and is an integral part of FMC's Systematic Termite Control system.
  • Exterra Termite Baiting® Termite Interception and Baiting Systems was developed using the same action as Sentricon with a different chemical. There seems to be a large amount of excitement and interest with this product in the industry.
  • Terminate and other termite baiting programs do not have a lot of confidence within the termite control industry. In fact, some are being sued for not fulfilling the promises of there sales people.
If you were to consider baiting programs, then you should consider one of the first three. As time goes on, other baiting programs are sure to be released. Be careful of their claims. Only programs with thorough third party research should be considered.
The advantage of the baiting programs is that it is not as obtrusive. Usually the baiting is done outside the foundation. Any inside treatment usually involves attaching a bait station to a sill plate or other beam. The disadvantages are twofold. First, this does not stop the termites immediately. It can take up to two years to stop one colony from doing damage and it does not stop another colony from entering the structure when it wants to. Secondly, the cost of the baiting programs tends to be 50 - 100 percent higher than the conventional treatments.
Either method of treatment requires a pest management professional that does termite treatments. You may want to look at the following web sites to gain additional information on termites and termite treatments.

New Termite Treatment Options

Two new termite treatment products have recently been released that show great promise. They are:

Premise

This product, using a product within new insecticidal category, is not repellent, allowing the termites to readily pass through the barrier, causing their nervous system to be effected causing them to stop feeding and eventually dying, as well as normal feeding, grooming and colony maintenance activities are disrupted, making the termites susceptible to infection by naturally occurring organisms.

Thermidor

Developed in France, this product also causes death by allowing the termites to pass through it and picking up the termiticide, causing the termite to share the product to other termites.

CHECK OUT THESE SITES FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TREATMENT

Termite Damage Information Center

How a Professional Protects Your Home and Property

Termite Treatment Evidence in Hollow BlockClick on this image for a larger image and description!

If you have any questions, please ask Pestdude! pestdude@triad.rr.com

Also see the following links:
PESTICIDES
CHOOSING A PEST MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL