How To Get Rid Of Termites

Background.

Termites are a group of eusocial insects that, until recently, were classified at the taxonomic rank of order Isoptera, but are now accepted as the epifamily Termitoidae, of the cockroach order Blattaria.

Species.

Termites mostly feed on dead plant material, generally in the form of wood, leaf litter, soil, or animal dung, and about 10 percent of the estimated 4,000 species (about 2,600 taxonomically known) are economically significant as pests that can cause serious structural damage to buildings, crops or plantation forests. Termites are major detritivores, particularly in the subtropical and tropical regions, and their recycling of wood and other plant matter is of considerable ecological importance.

There are 3 major types of termites Common in California are the subterranean termites that build nests in soil, dampwood termites that nest in moist wood and soil, and drywood termites that nest above ground in dry wood. Management of each termite species is different.

Where Termites Get In.

Everywhere. Since Termites can fly, nest in and above the soil, and settle in wet and dry wood, it is difficult to instill preventative measures.

How To Keep Termites Out.

• Keep a 12-inch barrier of smooth concrete, sand, or other material between the soil surface and substructure wood beneath a building.

• Choose termite-resistant wood for fences or other structures that must contact soil.

• Remove wood piles, untreated fence posts and buried scrap wood near structures.

• Provide adequate ventilation to substructures and keep them dry.

• Immediately repair foundation cracks.

How To Get Rid Of Termites

• Destroy shelter tubes that subterranean termites build between soil and wood structures.

• If Dampwood Termite nests are accessible, remove infested wood and eliminate excess moisture.

• Drywood termites can be controlled with heat, freezing, electricity, microwaves, fumigation, or spot treatments of chemicals.

• For any infestation, contact a professional for help. Pesticides licensed only for use by a pest control operator are usually necessary to control subterranean and Dampwood infestations.

Professional Extermination Method.

Berrett Pest Management uses the safest and most effective techniques that are currently available on the market. Depending on each infestation, our highly trained technicians will prescribe one or multiple of the treatments described below.

BP Local Precision Treatment

This treatment is used when termites have not yet traveled into inaccessible areas of the home. This is a chemical / liquid only treatment; we will drill and treat all infested areas of the home using a diamond pattern. We also treat the adjoining boards to prevent the termite from traveling to them.

BP Local Precision Foam Treatment

This treatment is used when the termites have traveled into inaccessible areas of the home. This is a chemical/foam treatment; we do all steps of the local precision treatment then we foam all adjoining boards.

Premium Foam Treatment

All the above steps in both the local chemical and the local foam are followed. We then proceed to treat all around the structure.

Subterranean Treatment

This treatment is also offered in both local treatment (infested areas) and full home treatment (all around home). There are two different ways the treatment can be done depending on the type of foundation. If infestation in found in crawl space then the full perimeter treatment would be done in that area. If infestation in found along the outside of the home the treatment will be done around the full outside of home either by trenching or by drilling.  

Fumigation

First the home is wrapped in large tarps, then the tarps are filled with a fumigant gas which is circulated through the entire structure using fans. The tent is left on the home for at least 24 hours then we remove all tarps and air out the home. The owner can re-enter home when no signs of fumigant is detected. Although this treatment will effectively kill all drywood termites at all stages of the life-cycle, this process leaves NO residual on the wood and CAN NOT kill subterranean termites.

For more information contact Berrett's Orange County Termite Control Office at 888.250.5503

For more methods on how to get rid of Termites check out UC Davis: Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program

*Cited from UC Davis Integrated Pest Management Program & Wikipedia