Subterranean termites are currently swarming in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. If you see termites with black bodies with grayish wings flying around the house, you were not visited by the tooth fairy. Subterranean termites are one of the most destructive termites in the world. Some people think its because they can eat faster than other termites such drywood termites. The truth is, subterranean termite colonies are incredibly large, which means they have far more mouths to feed.
Termites are social insects that live in highly organized colonies. The workers are responsible for feeding the entire colony, which is a huge responsibility. Certain members of the colony cannot feed themselves and need the help of worker termites. Therefore the workers never stop looking for new food sources – how can they when the whole family is depending on them?
So what does this mean for you? There are two common solutions in the marketplace. You can either treat the soil or install bait stations. First I will talk about soil treatments because this is the traditional method for eradicating subterranean termites and then I will get into the baiting technique.
A soil treatment involves trenching the earth around the perimeter of your home and then dumping chemicals into the ground. In some cases a termite technician will even drill into concrete slab, decking and walls in order to reach termites in inaccessible areas. The procedure is invasive for the home, not to mention the Earth. The chemicals used to control subterranean termites by soil treatment are particularly bad for aquatic life. When heavy rains wash the chemical into bodies of water it creates a real dilemma for sea life (think fish and turtles.) As far as effectiveness is concerned, the verdict is still undecided. The effectiveness of a manual application of pesticide depends on the skill of the applicator. If the application is not thorough, eradication is difficult. Termites can squeeze through an opening of 1/32 inch, which is incredibly small. This means slipping by a chemical barrier is a piece of cake for an insect this tiny.
The other option used to eradicate subterranean termites is baiting stations. Subterranean bait stations are simply little plastic stations that lure termites to laced bait. The stations are inserted in the ground every 10 feet around the perimeter of your home. When the workers feed on the laced bait, they carry it back to the colony. Remember, the workers are responsible for feeding the entire colony. This means everyone eats the same meal. When the workers carry the bait back to the nest, they deliver a lethal dose to the colony. Here is an option that does not involve dumping toxic chemicals into the soil or using invasive drilling techniques. And it works like clockwork.
What we like more about this option is the ability to have an ongoing warranty. Chemical treatments only last 5 to 7 years before it begins to break down in the soil or wash into bodies of water. If the termites return after the chemical has worn off, the entire treatment must be repeated. However, bait stations are a perpetual monitoring system. If the homeowner keeps up the warranty with the pest control company, the stations can be monitored quarterly. If the termites return, they are fed laced bait and sent off to termite heaven. Call us if you want to talk termites. You can even call us if you do end up getting a visit from the tooth fairy. We can treat your home for termites, Call Cloud Termite and Pest Control 941-746-1147 or Email Us for a free quote.
