Get Live Help Now With Professor Pest's Live Online Chat: Chat Now!

Discovering termites infesting your home can be disenchanting. But there is no reason to panic. Our step by step guide will help make sure follow a process that lends itself to the most efficient, cost-effective remediation approach available. 

Step 1: Relax. Don't Panic. 

Although termites work (eat) diligently day and night, they almost certainly didn't show up in your home overnight and you shouldn't feel the burning desire to try to eradicate them overnight. Although certain species of termites such as the formosan termite are capable of causing damage at a faster rate than say drywood termites, the damage caused in another week or two are all but certain to be indiscernible. So slow down and allow yourself to understand what kind of termites you're dealing with, why they're infesting your home, and what treatment options may be available to you. 

Step 2: Perform a Comprehensive Termite Inspection. 

Without a doubt, the most important part of the process is a quality professional termite inspection. Many companies offer these termite inspections for free and can provide valuable insight into your situation as a starting point. Can you do this inspection yourself? Maybe...but for most people, that's probably not a wise decision. The quality of any inspection will be a function of the quality of the inspector. So before you decide that you personally are ideally suited for the inspection, make sure you understand what you are going to need to look for and what your findings may indicate. Dealing with termites is seldom cut-and-dry, and experience goes a long way in properly evaluating all facets of a termite infestation. 

During the inspection, many determinations will need to be made, including (but not limited to): 

• The specific type of termite;
• Identifiable points of termite entry;
• Additional potential points of termite entry;
• The extent of the termite infestation;
• How long the termite infestation has been present;
• The extent of the termite damages;
• Contributing factors;
• Conducive conditions;
• Inaccessible areas;
• Prior termite treatment history;
• Type of construction;
• Age of the home;

Step 3: Assess the Inspection Findings.

Whether you've done the inspection yourself or have consulted a professional to assist, you now have the answers you'll need to move the process forward. You now know what kind of termite you're dealing with, why they are in the environment, how and why they have gotten into the structure, about how long they've been there, additional potential points of entry, and much more. With that information in hand, you can now begin to consider what treatment options may be available. Remember that different types of termites require different types of treatment measures:

• Subterranean Termites: Liquid soil treatment, sub-slab soil injection, hollow-block injections, wall void foaming, bait & monitoring systems, etal...

• Formosan Subterranean Termites: Same treatment measures as subterranean termites, but in some instances direct treatment of carton nests and potential structural fumigation is also necessary.

• Drywood Termites: Direct liquid spot treatments to impacted wood members, wood surface spray applications, wood injection, foam treatment, heat, freezing, localized fumigation, structural fumigation, and more. 

Step 4: Consider Treatment Options & Gather Estimates.

Regardless of the type of termite you're dealing with, there is almost always more than one way to potentially treat. It is essential to understand the advantages and limitations of each treatment approach in order to assess which method might be most practical for you. Some companies only offer certain treatment methods, and may be inclined to overstate the advantages of that approach as a result. Some companies may offer localized spot treatment options for certain infestations whereas others may require a more comprehensive treatment approach. 

Because treatment approaches and prices can vary rather remarkably from one termite company to the next, Pest Control Everything recommends getting estimates from 5 reputable termite companies before making any decisions. In addition to variances in treatment options and pricing, you're also likely to discover significant differences in Agreement Terms regarding what is and is not included as part of any service plan. 

Step 5: Resist The Urge To Do Your Own Termite Treatment

In almost all situations, doing a termite treatment well, even for trained professionals, is seldom easy. It requires familiarity with certain types of products, treatment techniques, application equipment, safety gear, local regulations, and much more. Attempting to do your own termite treatment to save the hassle and expense of hiring a professional exterminator might seem like an appealing option for some people. But please proceed with caution before going down this path. Our article titled How Not To Treat For Termites provides an in-depth look into some of the considerations that should be taken into account before attempting a do-it-yourself approach to termite control. 

If you do choose to proceed with your own treatment, please be sure to invest in the necessary application and safety equipment in order to make a proper application as effectively, safely, and environmentally conscientious as possible. 

To get connected with professional termite companies in your area, please submit the form below now.