Termite Pest Control - Termites -Do It Yourself Termite Baiting Systems

Welcome to Do-It-Yourself Termite Control, a division of Do-It-Yourself Pest Control, Inc. your best resource for pest control supplies for residential and commercial control of pests, including treating termites.

For the last 30 years, customers in our stores and visitors to our web site have asked," What can I do for termites myself ?" Many times we have suggested that they get a Pest Control Service Company to do the work for Subterranean (Ground) termites, because of the many different factors, particularly on slabs or basements.

In most all cases, a service company would be needed for Drywood Termites.

1. How to do your own termite baiting, you will find the "how" of doing your own pest termite control using Termite Baits such as the Advance Termite System, Hex Pro Termite Bait Systems or Firstline Termite Bait Systems that work for Subterranean Termites.

The Advance and Hex Pro System have chitin inhibitors, similar to the system used by Sentricon. Advance and HexPro Systems are labeled for pre treatments(pre constructions) while Firstline Bait System is not labeled for pre treatments.

2. Traditional Chemical Termite Treatment, you will find the "how" of doing your own pest and termite control using Termidor SC or Taurus SC.

These two products both contain the active ingredient Fipronil and represent the cutting edge of termite treatment technology. Fipronil’s ability to go undetected by termites makes it the chemical of choice for any termite control situation.

With traditional "repellant" termiticides, any of the smallest gap in the treated soil can be detected and exploited by the termites to gain entry in the building. They will find ways around it. This is a major short-coming of the older more traditional chemicals used for termite control. Termidor SC 20 oz. or Taurus SC will yield 12- 24 gallons of finished product.The table below will show the maximum label application rates and cost per gallon of finished yield.

Termidor SC-$68.90	Taurus SC-$56.85
Yields 24 Gallons $2.87 Gallon	Yields 24 gallons $2.36 Gallon

 

Doing Your Own Termite Work

• Doing your own termite work, in particular applying chemicals for termites, may not be for everybody. We also hope to help you with guidelines for finding a qualified service company that treats termites at How to Choose a Pest Control Service.
  
  
• At Termite Home Inspections, you will find a series of pictures showing damage from termites, powder post beetles and carpenter ants.
  
  
• Can I apply termite chemicals myself?, is designed to answer that question. It will give you recommendations and instructions if needed to treat for termites.
  
  
• Traditional / standard termite chemical barrier treatments for Subterranean (ground) termites are designed to prevent them from entering the structure. They also will prevent termites inside the structure from getting to the soil to get the moisture needed to survive.
  
  Since the currently available chemical barrier pesticides are very short lived, in some cases, no more than 3-5 years, the concept of using a chemical barrier treatment as a the sole means of controlling subterranean termites has been challenged by baits designed for termites.
  
  
• There are various Baiting systems, for termites on the market. Instead of injecting chemicals into the soil which will only last a few years, you can now place termite bait directly into the ground around the outside of a structure which the termites will find, feed on and die. The technology of termite bait systems are constantly changing and improving.
  
  Baiting colonies of termites is simple and can also be used as a monitoring tool to detect termites where they are not yet a problem.
  Termite baits eliminate and control in conditions where the structure is untreatable with soil termiticides (near a body of water for example), or there is a concern about pesticide use, and even in structures where soil treatments have failed.
  
  
• The Subterranean (Ground) Termite will have colonies in the ground, building vertical tunnels that look like mud tubes above ground level so that they can search for food.
  
  
• Subterranean(Ground) termites can form tunnels through cracks in concrete, so slab homes are not exempt from these termites.
  Subterranean termites will die if exposed to air for an extended period of time; tunnels are used for transporting the food to the nest and protecting themselves.
  Subterranean termites need to stay in contact with the soil in order to survive as opposed to the Drywood termites that only needs low moisture.
  
  
• Drywood termites are more prevalent in the coastal regions. These termites may be carried in furniture from one region to another. Drywood termites are found many times in the attic wood structure.
  
  Drywood termites are more prevalent in the coastal regions.They may be carried in furniture from one region to another.
  
  These termites are found many times in the attic wood structure.
  Refer to our section on Termite/Ant Diagram to determine the major difference between ant appearance and termite appearance.

Additional Information

Signs of Termite Infestation May Include:

• Mud like tunnels, usually vertical, among the foundation of the interior or exterior walls.
  
  
• Termite wings.
  
  
• "Swarmers" or flying termites appearing in the house, particularly near light sources.

Subterranean Termite Appearance:

• Worker: wingless,light colored, 1/8 inch long
  
  
• Soldier: the head is elongated with mandibles.
  
  
• Supplementary Reproductives: light colored with no wings or very short
  
  
• Primary Reproductives: most often seen, winged, and darker than the other three castes These are also called "swarmers".
  

Drywood Termite Appearance:

Drywood termites are larger (up to 1/2 inch long) than the Subterranean termite.

Diet:

Drywood termites diet is wood and other cellulose material, such as paper, cardboard, etc.

Recommended Products and Treatment:

The presence of termites in your home or under your home is a serious problem and should be treated by a professional pest control operator. Due to the many different factors involved we feel a professional would serve your needs better in many cases than doing it yourself.

However, we do carry a several lines of Professional Termite products.
Feel free to e- mail us or call us for further information.