Seeking professional help is always the best way to treat termites. This has the guarantee of total eradication through suitable treatments and subsequent inspections. But as much as these methods are effective, you might have some habits that hamper the success rate. The number one pet peeve of exterminators is the homeowners who fail to follow instructions or those that habitually roam the treated area.
Some actions, though not intentional, could jeopardize the quality of treatment your property is receiving. Check this list and ask yourself if you’re doing your part right.
1. Proceeding with carpentry work
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Doing your carpentry work while the treatment is ongoing is a big no-no. The wood dust could be mistaken by frass and the exterminators would find it hard to locate the actual harborage of the pest. Woodwork would also disturb the termites and it might seek a different place to start a new nest.
The exterminators’ access to the house would also be limited since your carpentry work might obstruct their way. Remember that the pest control guys would have to bring different equipment and having construction materials hindering the path would delay the treatment. Such service would only last a day so it won’t hurt to wait.
2. Best Way To Treat Termites: Avoid roaming the area being treated
Chemicals and gasses used in termite treatments are potent. Avoid roaming the place once the exterminators are working as you might inhale fumes that would be detrimental to your health. If the pest control experts don’t need your assistance, let them do the job and stay away from the area subjected to treatment.
In case your house has to be treated using the fumigation method, remember that you will have to vacate the property for about three days. The gas released during the treatment is lethal and it can kill your pest and plants. You don’t have to worry about security since the house will be enclosed in a large tent.
3. Letting the pets toy with baits
Pets are curious beings and if the exterminators are setting up baits, see to it that you’ll remove the furballs from the property for a while. Dogs and cats may excavate the bait and toy with it. During the first phase, the bait could only contain cellulose, but you should watch out as the exterminators would add toxicants on it too.
Your furry friend might ingest the poison and experience stomach problems, and worse, death. Baits are also intended to be undisturbed so the termites could locate it and establish a path through the poison masked as a food source.
4. Thinking that the termite treatment is the one-shot solution
A treatment, as much as it’s the best way to treat termites, isn’t a one-shot solution. You will have to do your part of monitoring the property for possible reinfestations. The exterminators would surely inspect the house to check for the effectiveness of the solution. More treatments would be administered if some termites survived the initial session.
But it shouldn’t stop there. You should still practice preventive measures once the pest is eradicated. This will reduce the risk of future infestations and the hefty cost you will have to pay for getting rid of the pest and repairing the damage.
5. Not removing risk factors
After the treatment, the exterminators would surely advise you to remove risk factors like a stack of wood, overdone mulch, or leaks. Always follow these suggestions to avoid a reinfestation. Ignoring these red flags would surely land you in another event of termite attack.
Start by cutting the excess foliage in the garden and removing dead wood. If you’re planning to stack wood in your yard, place this 20 feet away from the structure and at least 18 inches from the ground. Inside the house, you should practice the same diligence of reducing moisture and dusting off the uninhabited parts.
6. Not declaring the chemicals used for DIY remedies
The reason for seeking professional help could be the failure to yield results from DIY remedies. If you have done this, have the initiative to declare it to the pest control company so they can assess the possible resistance the mites have developed. This is the best way to treat termites and it’s even more important if you used professional chemicals like Termidor.
This is to avoid redundancy on the part of the exterminators. Though most of the chemicals pest control companies use are potent, it might make a difference if they know what solutions you have tried in the past. It’s a matter of admitting your guilty mistakes.
7. Failure to remove clutter before the treatment
If you’re expecting exterminators in your house, take time to dust off your attic and basement. Remove the clutter that may slow down the treatment session. It’s best to toss out large boxes and old furniture as long as it’s not infected. This will be a big help for the exterminators.
In case, you’re afraid of disturbing the harborage of the termites, inform the pest control company of the possible clutter they can arrive at. They might bring additional equipment to help with the treatment session. Just be available during that day so you can help them if they need assistance.
8. Too much cost-cutting
Having a termite treatment in a budget would tempt you to cost-cut to the point of selecting a few areas for treatment. You should know already that this isn’t a wise choice as the termites present on other areas of your house could infest the treated spots once the chemicals lose its effect.
Don’t hesitate to invest for a total coverage. This might cost you more at the moment but it would save you from the future need for treatments.
The best way to treat termites is knowing these dos and don’ts. These things would help the exterminators during the session and the treatment would be faster.