Blog Post

Myths and Misconceptions About Treating Termites

Admin • Jan 21, 2020

Termites — Melbourne, FL — Bobby Grisson's Pest Management

An estimated 5 billion dollars in damage is done each year in the United States by a very common and insidious pest: termites. If you suspect termites are infesting your home or you've dealt with termites in the past, chances are your first call will be to an expert exterminator to treat your home.

When it comes to the variety of treatments available, chances are you’ve heard some misinformation that might be keeping you from protecting your home against termite damage. Here are a few of the most common myths and misconceptions about treating termites.

My Neighbors Treat for Termites, So I’m Safe

Termite colonies can be massive, and you might be surprised to learn that a single termite colony can live inside several homes at once or move from one home to the other. But just because your neighbors treat their homes for termites and you don't, it doesn’t always mean the colony will move into your home.

However, a neighbor with a termite infestation could mean that the colony is large enough to impact your home as well.

If your neighbor's home is infested with termites, talk to a termite specialist about the treatment options available and have them perform an inspection. Creating a chemical barrier around your home is one option to prevent a termite infestation.

I Only Need One Treatment to Get Rid of Termites

There are several effective professional treatment options available to rid your home of termites and prevent termites from returning to your home in the future. However, a single application of one product won’t completely eradicate termites from your home, especially if the infestation is large.

Instead, an exterminator will employ a single- or multiple-treatment plan over the course of several days, weeks, or even months to control the termite infestation. Here are a few treatment options available:

Termite bait. The exterminator places bait stations around your property that are filled with an attractive but deadly bait. The termites mistake the bait for food and bring the bait back to the colony where the bait is consumed by the other termites.
Soil treatments. When a home is infested with subterranean termites, a pit is dug around the perimeter of the home and filled with pesticide. The subterranean termites feed and live in the soil, where the termites encounter the poison and die.
Fumigation. For larger infestations, the exterminator may recommend fumigating your home. This often involves placing a large tent over the home and releasing a chemical inside the home and tent to kill large amounts of termites.

Depending upon the type of termites and the extent of the infestation, the exterminator may employ several of the above-mentioned and other techniques. It often takes several treatments to eradicate a termite colony.

Homemade Termite Treatments Are Just As Effective

Finally, you might be compelled to try a few DIY treatments because they are just as effective as anything a professional will use. In reality, homemade termite treatments won’t eliminate all of the termites in your home, even if the chemicals used are organic and seemingly safe.

For example, boric acid can be bought at your local grocery store and spread over affected areas where you see termites. Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible for you to reach every inch of the affected areas with the boric acid, rendering this method ineffective.

From the idea that DIY treatments are just as effective as a professional's treatment to the concept that a single treatment will banish an entire colony, there are several common misconceptions about treating termites. Contact the professionals at Bobby Grisson's Pest Management with any further questions.

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