Termites - PestPolicY

Termites, those tiny white insects, can wreak havoc on your wooden structures and house foundations. They create small, round holes in wooden items, walls, cardboard, and paper as they feast on cellulose. Also, Termite inspections can be quite costly. To assist you in combating these invaders, we've evaluated the best termite killers for both pre- and post-construction use. Let's begin! 1. Spectracide Terminate Termite Killing Foam Spectracide Terminate Foam2 is a versatile spray foam that expands to reach the deepest areas where termites hide in your home. This foam fills the wooden spaces within your structures, effectively preventing termites from returning. Its attachable nozzle allows you to spray both indoors and outdoors, including deep inside termite nests and holes. However, it's important to note that Spectracide Terminate Foam2 is mildly poisonous, so avoid spraying it in hospitals, food areas, or places accessible to children and pets. A thorough clean-up or vacuuming is essential after spraying in these areas. It's a sobering thought that if termites knew about the presence of every home, they would infest them all annually. Suburban houses, with their wooden structures, represent the most attractive food source for termites in the surrounding environment. While termite foraging may seem random, these pests follow both natural and human-made structures. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWiSIlx2xns 2. Spectracide Terminate Termite Killing Stakes Spectracide Terminate comes in 15 stakes, effectively treating an area of about 1,200 square feet. This termite baiting solution boasts a long residual effect, lasting up to a year, while also eliminating other foraging pests. Termites that come into contact with Spectracide Terminate carry the hexaflumuron back to their nests, leading to a secondary kill effect. However, it's essential to keep Spectracide Terminate stakes out of reach of both pets and children in your household. The package includes a comprehensive instruction booklet and a digging tool for easy use. The active ingredient in these termite stakes is an insect growth regulator (IGR) called Hexaflumuron (0.50%), which disrupts the termite's chitin production. The foam expands and fills the wooden spaces in your structures, preventing termites from returning. Its attachable nozzle allows for indoor and outdoor use, including deep inside termite nests and holes. The Spectracide Terminate "bait" contains "sulflurimid," a cellulose food that termites consume, leading them to their demise. Moreover, these foraging insects carry the sulflurimid back to their nests, effectively poisoning the entire colony. The Good: Pop-up indicators and locator shields, pheromones for enhanced performance, ease of use, and comprehensive termite control and prevention. The Bad: Should be used in conjunction with other termite control solutions for optimal results. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WltlQLqXC8 3. Harris Termite Treatment for Killing and Controlling Next up is Harris Termite Treatment, a potent solution for controlling severe termite infestations. This treatment can significantly reduce termite populations in numerous nests by mixing the Harris powder with a sprayer. The Disodium Octaborate Tetrahydrate solution is non-flammable, odorless, and effectively combats fungi, mold, wood rot, and carpenter ants. It's safe for pets and children, but be cautious not to spray it on flowers, houseplants, or fruits, as it can be harmful. This termiticide can also protect wooden surfaces on your porch, patio, and garage. Its active ingredient is boron oxyanions (borates), which extract oxygen from wood, causing termites and insects with non-porous skin to suffocate. The Good: Protects wood from rot and mold, is non-toxic to pets and children, is non-flammable, and is odorless. The Bad: May harm flowers, fruits, and other plants such as grass. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kN8WP2gnn0 4. Nisus Bora-Care Natural Termite Control - Pre-Treatment Nisus Bora-Care is an excellent choice for both exterior and interior termite control. There's no need to leave your home during treatment, and it's effective regardless of the weather. You can apply it by rolling, brushing, or spraying it on wooden surfaces. Bora-Care is lethal to various insects, including Formosan, dry wood, subterranean termites, beetles, carpenter ants, and decay fungi. One gallon of Bora-Care can treat untreated wood ranging from 200 to 500 square feet. This solution not only prevents dry rot but also shields your wood against termites and other boring insects. The 40% Borate mineral salt (Disodium octaborate Tetrahydrate) is highly toxic to fungi and insects but safe for pets and children. Bora-Care dries clear, preserving the natural appearance of wood. You can dilute it at a ratio of 1:1 to 1:5 with water for optimal results. Nisus Bora-Care is a fantastic option for homeowners constructing wooden or partly wooden houses as a pre-treatment against termites. You can also pre-treat wooden decks, sheds, and cellars to prevent termite infestations before building the physical infrastructure. Before you lay down the physical infrastructure, it’s time to treat the wood using this Nissus Bora-Care. Control methods include baits and barrier-form application of termite insecticides. For pre-treatment, use either in-soil barriers, lumber treatment, baits, or liquid termiticides. The Good: Suitable for both exterior and interior use, can be rolled, brushed, or sprayed on wood, and effectively eliminates wood beetles. The Bad: Requires dilution at a 1:1 ratio. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_qVJE5xSKM&feature=youtu.be 5. BioAdvanced 700350A Termite & Insect Killer – for Outdoors BioAdvanced 700350A Termite & Insect Killer for Outdoors is a versatile pest control product designed to safeguard your outdoor spaces from a range of pests, with a primary focus on termites. BioAdvanced 700350A is highly effective at targeting and controlling termites, forming a protective barrier around your property. Additionally, it combats a wide spectrum of outdoor insects, including ants, carpenter bees, and various common pests. This versatility makes it a valuable tool for comprehensive pest management. This product offers impressive longevity, providing up to three months of protection with a single application. Its sustained effectiveness reduces the need for frequent reapplications, saving you time and effort. BioAdvanced 700350A comes ready to use, simplifying the application process. You can effortlessly distribute it around your property's perimeter using a pump sprayer, ensuring even coverage. Unlike some insecticides, this product doesn't leave behind any unpleasant odors or unsightly stains on your outdoor surfaces. It effectively protects without compromising the aesthetics of your space. BioAdvanced 700350A Termite & Insect Killer for Outdoors is a reliable choice for homeowners seeking to defend their outdoor spaces against termites and a variety of insects. Its effectiveness, ease of use, and enduring protection make it a valuable asset for pest management. Nonetheless, it's crucial to take into account its environmental impact and adhere to responsible application practices. Cons: BioAdvanced 700350A is intended solely for outdoor use. If you're dealing with indoor pest issues, you'll need to acquire a separate indoor insect control solution. 6. TERRO T1901-6 Termite & Carpenter Ant Killer The TERRO T1901-6 is a ready-to-use aerosol spray designed to combat carpenter ants, termites, and carpenter bees both indoors and outdoors. One of the standout features of this product is its aerosol format. This makes it incredibly easy to apply, and you can use it in hard-to-reach areas, such as cracks, crevices, and voids where these wood-destroying insects often hide. TERRO T1901-6 targets not just one but three problematic pests: carpenter ants, termites, and carpenter bees. This versatility can be particularly useful for homeowners dealing with multiple infestations or uncertain about the exact type of pest they're facing. The product is suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications, offering flexibility in pest control. You can use it to address infestations within your home and to create a barrier around your property's exterior. It provides fast-acting results, quickly immobilizing and eliminating the targeted insects on contact. This can provide immediate relief from pest infestations and help prevent further damage. While it offers rapid action, TERRO T1901-6 also leaves behind a residual effect. This means it continues to work even after the initial application, providing extended protection against recurring infestations. The TERRO T1901-6 Ready to Use Indoor and Outdoor Carpenter Ant, Termite, and Carpenter Bee Killer Aerosol Spray is a convenient and versatile solution for addressing infestations of carpenter ants, termites, and carpenter bees. Its aerosol format makes it easy to use, and it delivers quick results with residual protection. However, it's important to note that it may not be a long-term solution for severe infestations, and its chemical odor may be off-putting to some users. Cons: Chemical Odor: Like many aerosol insecticides, this product has a noticeable chemical odor. It's essential to use it in well-ventilated areas and consider wearing a mask if you're sensitive to such odors. 7. Control Solutions CSI - Taurus SC - Termiticide With Taurus SC termiticide, you can easily undertake DIY termite control in your home or business premises. Approved by the EPA, Taurus SC termiticide offers a secondary kill effect when termites transport it back to their nests. Its active ingredient, Fipronil 9.1%, is ideal for both post-treatment and pre-treatment against termites and various wood-eating pests. This termiticide has a quick knock-down effect, eliminating termites on contact within three days. Taurus SC termiticide is odor-free, non-repellent, and allows termites to carry the poison back to their colonies. Once applied to your soil, it not only kills insects but also forms an impenetrable barrier, preventing many pests from entering your home. It effectively controls cockroaches, ants, and termites. Types of Termite Treatments: 1. Liquid Termite Treatment: This method involves using a liquid termiticide, which is sprayed in and around your home where termite infestations are detected. Termites that come into contact with it are either repelled or killed. Non-repellent liquids are also used, which termites do not detect, effectively eliminating them where they live. 2. Termite Baits: Termite baits are a highly effective method for eliminating termites from your home. Liquid treatment is applied to entry points after careful monitoring of potential infestation areas in your home. Termites ingest this liquid and share it with other colony members, effectively controlling the infestation. 3. Borate Termite Treatment: This treatment, also known as wood treatment, is specifically designed to eradicate dry wood termites. A termiticide containing borate is directly applied to the wood surfaces infested with termites, causing immediate death. This treatment is odorless and poses no harm to humans. It can also serve as a preventive measure when applied during new home and furniture construction. 4. Fumigation: For severe infestations with multiple termite nests that are difficult to eradicate with a single treatment, fumigation of the entire structure is recommended. This method involves evacuating humans and animals from the house and covering it with a tent. The structure is then fumigated with termiticide, effectively reaching every corner and crack to eliminate all termites. Are Termite Killer Chemicals Safe? The cost of professional termite treatment varies based on factors such as the size of the building, severity of the infestation, foundation details, soil type, and climate. Understanding termite foraging behavior is essential. Termites primarily seek cellulose (wood or plant material) and water, and this process can seem random. Termites do not see, smell, or sense their environment much beyond their tunnel system's boundaries. They may know there is food (your house), but they find homes through a seemingly random process. Pipes, conduits, and wooden connections to the ground can inadvertently lead termites to a building. Conclusion Termites pose a significant threat to wooden structures and can cause extensive damage. Understanding their behavior and employing effective termite killers is essential for protecting your property. Whether you choose liquid treatments, baits, borate solutions, or fumigation, it's crucial to consider the type of termite infestation and the severity of the problem when selecting a treatment method. Additionally, always prioritize safety when using termite killer chemicals to protect your home, family, and pets.