Termite Eggs

For good termite control, you'll want to find a treatment that will destroy termite eggs as well as killing adult termites. If you only destroy the adult pests in your home, the eggs can still hatch and produce more insects. However, if you eliminate the eggs, too, you shouldn't have to worry about future termite control and effects of termite damage on real estate. You should be able to find the best service to help you with this for the lowest cost by getting quotes from several local companies before you get started.

Find Termite Eggs

Though these insect eggs are visible with a naked eye, termites usually lay their eggs in places that you might not usually check or cannot get to. If you want to check for eggs anyway, look under roof overhangs and in any dark, out of the way corners where the eggs would not be disturbed. If you're determined to find eggs, though, you'll probably need to tear down some walls or find underground nests.

You'll know that you've found the eggs because of their appearance. Generally, they look like caviar but smaller. They are white, translucent, and have a generally oval shape. There are usually anywhere from a few to several dozen eggs in one location, as a queen can lay up to 1000 each day.

Because the eggs can be so plentiful, it's important that any termite control method you choose destroy them, too. If you don't destroy the eggs along with the adults, you will not achieve total control over your pest problem. Instead, you'll only kill off adult termites and your problem will return once the eggs hatch.

Destroy Termite Eggs

In general, any method of termite control aimed to kill adult insects will also effect the eggs, though it's important that you talk with your exterminator specifically about how he intends to get rid of them. Note that some methods of termite control will destroy the eggs directly, while others aim to destroy the adult population, including the queen, and kill off the occupants of the eggs as they hatch.

One direct method of termite control that kills eggs as well as adults is fumigation. Though it only works with certain types of termites, it is often the quickest, easiest treatments available. If you choose this route, the extermination company will cover your home with tarps and pump poisonous gas into your walls. The termites and their eggs will die.

Unfortunately, fumigation is highly toxic. You will have to vacate your home for up to 48 hours and take all pets and house plants with you. When you return, your home should be safe again and the termite dead or dying. However, some people are uncomfortable with the poisonous gas and therefore choose other methods of termite control.

These other methods of termite control include baiting the termites, setting up a barrier around your home to keep them out, and various non toxic methods that work with varying levels of success. If you're interested in these, do some research to find out how they're handled in your specific area.

Now that you know what you're looking for when it comes to termite eggs and how to destroy them once you've found them, you're ready to pursue overall termite control. Talk to several local companies to get quotes, so you can find the service that is best for you and your situation. If you're not sure what's best, take your time and research until you feel confident making a choice.