Effectiveness of Subterranean Termite Control

The effectiveness of subterranean termite control is the assessment of how well it works helping homeowners who are on guard against this pest. In North America the subterranean termite (more commonly referred to as the ground termite) is one of two major species of termites. Subterranean termites are especially populous in the warm coastal southeastern United States, but they are also found much further north. The termite appears to be quite an adaptive insect that seems to do well wherever it goes on the continent, a trait that makes it even more dangerous because its whereabouts are not entirely predictable.

Subterranean Termites Live Underground

As their name implies, ground termites live under the ground. This makes them harder to locate in some cases, although it does necessitate one construction element that becomes a tell tale sign of their presence in the home. To reach food sources above ground and transport them back to the colony, ground termites construct earthen tubes or tunnels to make travel easier. Finding these tubes and seeing that they are occupied with workers is a sure sign of present infestation. However, the presence of dried out mud tubes that are abandoned may only suggest that subterranean termites at one time stopped by and may or may not have done significant damage. The only way to tell is to locate any such damage.

One of the best ways to make an immediate impact in your termite control efforts if a live infestation is present is to discover and remove these mud tunnels. Their removal will set the worker way back in their efforts to supply food to the colony and in some cases may even hasten their abandonment of the home altogether. Of course, it is not always this simple, but every little thing you can do to disrupt their routine helps. Even just the limited effectiveness of removing mud tunnels helps disrupt that routine while other methods are in use to serve as a permanent fix.

Termite Proofing a New Home

To eliminate the chance of ground termites doing damage to a new home, you can get quotes from licensed termite professionals on termite proofing new construction homes. This method of termite control cannot be described as perfect or 100 percent effective, but it greatly reduces the chances of subterranean termites ever getting into the home. The idea is to make it as difficult as possible to even gain entry so that they will give up and try some other house. The cost of this service in particularly prone areas may as well be figured into the basic price of the home. Be sure the termite proofing gets done before the home is built because certain parts of the job must be done beforehand in order to be effective.

Termite Control in Existing Structures

If there is any chance of infestation a thorough inspection should be immediately ordered. Follow ups in these areas need to be performed at least once a year depending on the density of the pest population in the area. Companies can work out deals with customers where they will include some follow up inspection work as part of the cost of treatment or pretreatment. Depending on what the initial inspection reveals, the inspector and the homeowner work together to set up an action plan and plot out a strategy for short and long term eradication and prevention.

In some parts of the country, subterranean termite control is a regular expense that homeowners just have to deal with or risk being infested and pay the cost of treatment.