There’s a kid’s 3-D movie ride at Walt Disney World based on the hit Disney movie “A Bug’s Life,” and it features a walking, talking, acid-spitting termite named the Termite-ator. This is obviously a poorly worded pun based on Arnold Schwarzenegger’s famous “Terminator” character, but I don’t think it’s a bad comparison. In many ways, termites are exactly like the original Terminator from 1984; relentless, unyielding, never resting and constantly on a path of rampant destruction. And also extremely evil (OK, that last part may just be my opinion).
You see, termites don’t need to sleep or rest. They’re perfectly happy to chew through your wood 24 hours a day, which means a major infestation can really cause some serious damage to your home. So how can you deal with a termite infestation? Allow me to explain it to you as simply as possible:
Minor and/or isolated infestations can be dealt with in various ways; the only surefire method for treating a major infestation is structural fumigation.
So now that you know the answers, let’s look at each one a little more closely.
Minor and/or isolated infestations: The key here is containment. Left unchecked, termites will eventually get to almost every piece of wood in your home, which makes it almost impossible to locate and exterminate them all. However, that process takes time, and in the beginning you’ll only find termites in specific areas. This is the best time to strike.
When the termites are isolated to one area, you don’t have to worry about any slipping through the cracks. Pest control companies have a variety of methods for these scenarios, including using baited traps and heat treatments. Additionally, you can purchase termiticide and try to handle the infestation yourself, although we don’t recommend it.
Major infestation: A major infestation is basically any termite problem where they’ve infiltrated more than one part of the house. If termites have spread out, then there will definitely be small pockets of termites throughout the home as well as the occasional straggler. Now, in order to exterminate every last termite, your only option is structural fumigation.
The gases used during this process will permeate every part of the home and even inside wood, ensuring every termite is eradicated. And just in case it doesn’t work, a quality pest control company will always agree to come back and finish the job.
