subject: Termite Control: The Precautionary Measures [print this page] Termites are pests which cost you a lot if they nest in your houses. They ruin houses by eating their cellulose and non-cellulose components. Cellulose materials, or things produced from plant fiber, like wood and paper consist a major part of a termite's diet. Subterranean and drywood termites cost the most damage to human structures.
Termite extermination can be pricey. But it is also necessary when termite problems become overwhelming. Aside from money, termite extermination will require considerable time and effort from the pest controlers and the home owners. Before any extermination is carried out, a proper and in depth termite inspection must be done to determine the scope of the damage and the scale of the termite population.
That's the reason termite prevention is a must. Pest control can be more effective if it is carried out before a structure is built. The termite treatment called "pre-construction chemical treatment" can be achieved at the time of construction helps prevent termite infestation. It involves treating the soil, where the structure is founded, with soil insecticides. This creates a chemical barrier between the ground and also the foundation of the structure, which thwarts the entry of the termites.
But if no "pre-construction chemical treatment" had been done, take the subsequent pest control measures:
Get rid of access/ entry points of termites: Termites are drawn to moist conditions. Control the accumulation of moist in dryer vents and air conditioning unit condensation pipes.
Fill junctions of walls and chamber correctly: Check your property for cracks in the walls, the flooring and other areas because termites can enter through them. If some splits are found, immediately focus on filling them.
Keep foundation free from mud shelter and patch up cracks: Seal off tubes along with other unprotected portions of your property's foundation to avoid termites from nesting in them. Cracks and cavities in the masonry must also be patched with cement mortar to keep termites from getting into the property.
Terminate wood and soil contact: Wooden and other kinds of debris, such as garbage, must be removed from the vicinity of the property. They can be potential breeding grounds for termites. Buried timbers and tree stumps must also be excavated before the property's foundation is constructed. Wooden articles that are at least 18" thick, such as plank shelves should be kept above ground.
Take away wood products: Throw away damp wooden products. If kept within the property, they'll draw termites in. If fixed wooden components of the property such as fences, stairs, and balustrades are broken, or grow moist, immediately perform an anti-termite treatment on them.
Destroy colonies of termites: Abolish all kinds of termite colonies thriving on or near your property with correct extermination methods. If termite extermination is not done well, some termites may survive and they'll soon rebuild their colonies. Do not grow complacent when you have destroyed the termite colony structure that grows out of the ground. Termite colonies do not only grow vertically but also spread horizontally. Make sure that treatment is also done on the soil wherein the colonies have grown.
Get rid of sources of dampness:
Keep most spaces out and in of the house dried out. Prevent water from flowing into the foundation. This could be most devastating when termites catch wind of this. Rain water and other waste water sources should be channeled out of the property. Plinth protection must also be constructed around the house/ building.
Keep drains and gutters clean to avoid leakage: Inspect water and sewage pipes occasionally to check for leaks. Leaks can cause more than moisture, which termites like. Pipelines leading to the kitchen and bathroom must be closely monitored and kept clean. Roofs and ceilings must also be examined for signs of leaks and dampness.
