Termite Exterminators

Expert termite exterminators are licensed pest control professionals who have been trained to inspect your property for termite infestation and eliminate these wood-destroying insects. By the time a homeowner notices the signs of an infestation -- such as discarded wings, tiny piles of wood dust or droppings, mud tubes along the sides of the house or sagging walls and ceilings -- the infestation has already reached an advanced stage. Professional termite exterminators can verify the infestation and recommend the most effective ways to eradicate these pests.

Termites are tiny insects, yet they are capable of causing thousands of dollars worth of damage to homes, commercial buildings, furniture, cabinets and other wooden structures. In its advanced stages, termite damage can undermine the structural integrity of a house. Dry wood termites invade wooden beams and walls from the inside, devouring the interior and leaving these structures hollow. By the time you notice buckling or sagging in your walls, porches or decks, this process has already begun. Termite exterminators can't reverse the damage, but they can eradicate the colonies.

Qualified Termite Exterminators

Many homeowners have been tempted into using do-it-yourself termite control methods in order to save money by avoiding exterminators. Although these products may be very affordable compared to the cost of hiring professional termite exterminators, they are not as effective as the liquid pesticides used by exterminators and may also require you to spend time looking at termite photos so you know what you're up against. Exterminators use specialized rods and other equipment to inject termiticide -- pesticide designed to eradicate termite colonies -- into the soil surrounding your house, the foundations of the home and other areas of the building.

Qualified termite exterminators are licensed by the governing agency that oversees pest control in your state. The leading pest control service providers belong to national or local trade associations that promote consumer awareness of the hazards of insect damage and the available solutions. When you search for quotes from pest control companies, look for exterminators with extensive experience in termite control. Many exterminators offer termite inspection and elimination, but not all contractors specialize in exterminating this particular pest.

Trustworthy experts have a strong reputation in your community and won't rush you into making any decisions about extermination. Reliable professionals will carefully review the benefits, risks and drawbacks of each of the extermination methods they use, so that you can make an informed decision about how the extermination should be handled. Both toxic and non toxic methods should be discussed, so that you're fully aware of the range of services that these professionals provide.

Effective Extermination Methods

Most exterminators use a combination of methods to destroy the insects in and around your home. Colonization usually begins outdoors, in the damp, loose soil under a porch or deck, or in the dirt surrounding a woodpile. These insects are drawn to moist areas, especially damp wood. Termite exterminators often recommend that you keep woodpiles and other damp wooden structures away from the foundations of your house to avoid drawing these insects into your home.

In combination with the liquid insecticides that are injected into the ground and foundations, many termite exterminators use bait to attract the insects. Once the pests have entered a baited trap, they will carry the poison back to the colony. Other members of the colony will ingest the toxic substances, and eventually the colony will die. Termiticides in the soil create a chemical barrier that blocks the pests from returning to the soil once they've entered the house. Colony members that can't eventually return to the soil will not survive.

Liquid termiticides, bait and other chemical products have been thoroughly tested by federal agencies to confirm that they are safe for household use. However, many homeowners still have concerns about using toxic substances in their homes. Ask your pest control service representative about non toxic methods for eliminating infestations. Sand or metal barriers may be placed in the ground as an alternative to the chemical barriers created by termiticide.

When you compare quotes from licensed professionals in your area, talk with these contractors about how they handle the risk of re-infestation. Reliable, experienced contractors will not make any unrealistic promises; however, many companies will return to the house to repeat treatments, if necessary, for a certain period of time. Most commercial termiticides are guaranteed to last for up to 5 years.

Dependable termite exterminators lend their expertise and training to the eradication of wood-destroying pests in your home. Wood damage won't destroy the structural integrity of a house if the infestation is stopped. Professional inspectors and pest control technicians can detect the nearly invisible evidence of a colony, then address the infestation before severe harm occurs. Take advantage of the convenient request form on our site to request quotes from a number of trusted experts on inspection or extermination services.