Termites have the capacity to destroy wood structures in Phoenix, AZ homes and businesses and may compromise their integrity, with damage usually not covered by homeowner insurance policies.
Finding signs of termite infestation may not always be straightforward. When searching, look out for signs such as mud tubes in the attic, cracks in walls or ceilings and fuse boxes as a possible indicator.
Termite Inspection in Phoenix AZ
Before buying or selling a home, a professional termite inspection should always be part of the process. While you might spot signs of infestation yourself, the only surefire way to know that there are no termites is having an expert examine your house.
A termite expert like ACTION Termite & Pest Control will conduct a full inspection of both the interior and exterior of your house for signs of termite infestation, with special focus placed on areas exposed to wood such as baseboards, walls, windows and crawl spaces. They will also pay special attention to areas like bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms which often fall prey to subterranean termites; specifically these rooms should be watched out for subterranean termites that leave behind mud tubes which keep their colonies humid for easy growth.
Moisture can also play a factor in termite infestations, and specialists will inspect your home for leaky roofs, wood mulch near foundation and clogged gutters as potential sources of moisture. They will also look out for signs of termites such as sagging porch supports or termite trails in soil around it.
As soon as a specialist has an accurate understanding of your termite issue, they can recommend an effective course of treatment. General treatments often prove successful since they create a chemical barrier between termites and your home – this method typically only requires less than two days to work effectively.
Chemical Treatment
Termite control professionals use liquid treatments to form a barrier around the exterior of your house and treat any moisture problems nearby, especially if termites are entering through cracks in the foundation. You can help prevent these issues by reducing wood and cellulose products near your home, keeping firewood away from foundation, fixing any leaky faucets and watering systems that might allow entry, as well as clearing away dead trees, stumps, or roots in the yard.
There are various chemicals used to protect against termites, including bifenthrin, Dragnet Ft, Prelude (Permethrin) and fipronyl (commonly referred to as Termidor). All these substances work similarly by creating an impenetrable barrier against termites that they cannot detect and therefore cannot escape; these barrier treatments work best buried into the soil via trench digging and application of chemical onto it.
There are also spot treatments, which involve drilling into wood and spraying termiticide into existing cracks, crevices, or voids with termiticide pellets. This approach may be combined with soil-applied barriers or used alone. Non-repellant chemicals like Imidachloprid (Premise), Chlorfenapyr (Termidor), Dichlorantraniliprole (Altriset), or even Altriset which combines non-repellency with reduced environmental toxicity; transfer effects similar to Fipronyl but with lower toxicity ratings than both alternatives.
Termite Bait Stations
Termite bait stations offer an alternative to perimeter soil treatments, providing more targeted protection from termites. While liquid barrier treatments contain chemicals which could negatively impact your property ecosystem–including beneficial insects and plants–termite bait systems use nontoxic Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs).
Bait station containers are made of hollow plastic cylinders equipped with slits in their sides for termite entry. When foraging termites discover bait in one of these stations, they consume it and bring it back to their colony to share among themselves. Over time, IGRs in the bait cause termites to molt prematurely and ultimately die, thus wiping out entire colonies.
Bait stations we install for our clients comprise wood and other cellulose-based materials treated with low-toxicity IGRs that are less hazardous to the environment, animals and humans than traditional termiticide barriers. A typical bait station consists of wood or other cellulose-based material placed into augured holes around your house perimeter or other conducive locations on your property – at least three meters apart for optimal effectiveness.
ACTION Termite & Pest Control professionals take great care and expertise when monitoring and replenishing termite baits regularly; any that have been completely depleted by termites will be removed immediately and replenished as necessary. In order to maximize results, additional stations may need to be added depending on how active the site is or the size and level of termite infestation present. Termite bait replenishment remains an ongoing responsibility that should only be trusted to trained experts like ACTION Termite & Pest Control.
Monitoring Termites
Monitoring termites is an integral component of any effective termite control plan, and at ACTION Termite & Pest Control we specialize in installing unobtrusive stations around your property at 10- to 20-foot intervals (according to station manufacturer instructions). Each station houses a high cellulose attractant that, when fed on by termites, produces a visible indication – an “red eye” from its clear window on top – signaling activity and prompting you to call in a pest control professional and initiate a termite inspection.
Foraging termites discover and attack bait stations, taking it back to their nests to share amongst themselves and the colony mates. However, the slow-acting insecticides (insect growth regulators or IGRs) present in this bait prevent termites from being able to molt or reproduce and eventually wipe out an entire colony.
Sentricon termite systems are designed to eradicate entire colonies – including their queen – so you’ll never have to worry about re-infestation. A Certified Sentricon Specialist can inspect your home and assess what approach is most likely to prevent an outbreak or outbreak.
