Thursday, January 1, 2009

Things to Consider About Do It Yourself Termite Control Approach

By Don Pellis

Having a do it yourself termite control plan can save you expenses on renovations and even from unscrupulous termite control companies. However, if you are to do it effectively, you have to learn some basics of termite control.

Approach with Caution

It's common to find homeowners implementing termite control on their own. You should however approach a do it yourself termite control method with some caution. Although some people may have been able to perform these methods successfully, other experts still maintain that doing things yourself may have some disadvantages.

First, evaluate and assess the extent of termite infestation damage on your property before you design your termite control plan. It may take a real expert to know the extent of termite presence and what methods will work best. In some regions, there may also be special methods that need to be employed. Not all individuals also have the necessary skill to use specific equipment and chemicals and may end up endangering the house occupants' health. Consider a do it yourself termite control only if you are sure that you know what you are doing.

Termite Baiting

Usually, it is the termite control companies that do the baiting. Now, there are already a couple of options for homeowners to do it themselves. The reason why baiting may be considered ideal by some people is that there are less harmful chemicals involved. The procedure however may take some time and may not always guarantee complete termite extermination when used alone.

To do the baiting yourself, make a personal inspection of the extent of damage on the property first.You have to take note of wooden areas and moisture rich areas that may be conducive for termites. Some places that may need to be carefully marked on your illustration are places where wood comes into contact with soil, ground or areas with too much moisture and places with trees.

You may begin your do it yourself termite control baiting by burying wooden monitors six feet under the ground in strategic areas around your house. These baits may attract termites after a few months. Once you are sure that the wooden monitors already have termites, you can replace them with treated baits. These baits contain substances that may be ingested by worker ants and brought back to the colony for other members to ingest.

Chemical Treatment

Chemical treatment is more complicated than baiting. Before you consider this do it yourself termite control method, be sure that you comply with state laws for chemical applications, drilling and trenching. Make it a point too to follow product instructions to the letter.

This method involves having to inject treatments into the soil or having to apply them on strategic trenches. Although some chemicals may be able to eradicate termites quickly and effectively, they may also be harmful to the environment and may especially be dangerous for people who accidentally ingest or come into contact them.

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