There are many terms thrown around in the discussion of termite control and the never ending battle between termites and our homes. For many people outside the industry, two of these terms are particularly confusing, because they are so similar. The terms "pretreatment" and "treatment" sound so much alike that it is natural to assume they must be the same thing. But although they are related to one another, pretreatment and treatment are actually two totally different sets of actions.

Termite Pretreatment is Preventative Action

As its name sort of implies, termite pretreatment is a preventative action, something you would do as a homeowner to make your home more resistant to infestation in the first place. Many builders in areas particularly prone to termites focus on pretreatment to make homes more impervious to these pests. Pretreatment involves treating the soil under a home's foundation before the cement is even poured. This is much easier to do than drilling after the fact, something termite control companies are often forced to do.

Termite Treatment is Responsive Action

Unlike pretreatment, termite treatment is done in response to a known threat or infestation. As far as the application of chemicals and the methods used, treatment and pretreatment are essentially the same. The amount of pesticide used is typically the same, the methods are the same (aside from drilling to gain access, etc.), and in general the whole process is the same. The main difference is in the reason behind the application of pesticide. Treatment tends to be a more hurried application simply because time is of the essence when an infestation threatens a home structurally. But aside from that, termite treatment and pretreatment are similar in their control methods and in the basic goals they share.