Approach with Caution



It's common to find homeowners implementing termite control on their own. You should however approach a do it yourself termite control method with some caution. Although some people may have been able to perform these methods successfully, other experts still maintain that doing things yourself may have some disadvantages.

Before you can apply any do it yourself termite control method, you should first be able to properly assess the extent of termite damage as well as the conditions which promote termite infestation. It may take a real expert to know the extent of termite presence and what methods will work best. In some regions, there may also be special methods that need to be employed. Not all individuals also have the necessary skill to use specific equipment and chemicals and may end up endangering the house occupants' health. Consider a do it yourself termite control only if you are sure that you know what you are doing.

Termite Baiting

Baiting is usually undertaken by professional companies but there are one or two product options for do it yourself termite control once your property has been inspected. The reason why baiting may be considered ideal by some people is that there are less harmful chemicals involved. The procedure however may take some time and may not always guarantee complete termite extermination when used alone.

If you want to do the procedure yourself, then you may first have to make a personal inspection and illustration of your property and surrounding areas. You have to take note of wooden areas and moisture rich areas that may be conducive for termites. Some places that may need to be carefully marked on your illustration are places where wood comes into contact with soil, ground or areas with too much moisture and places with trees.

You can begin the process of baiting by strategically placing wooden monitors six feet under the ground around your property. These baits may attract termites after a few months. Once you are sure that the wooden monitors already have termites, you can replace them with treated baits. These baits contain substances that may be ingested by worker ants and brought back to the colony for other members to ingest.

Chemical Treatment

Chemical treatment is a little more difficult to do yourself. Before you consider this do it yourself termite control method, be sure that you comply with state laws for chemical applications, drilling and trenching. Make it a point too to follow product instructions to the letter.

This method involves having to inject treatments into the soil or having to apply them on strategic trenches. Although some chemicals may be able to eradicate termites quickly and effectively, they may also be harmful to the environment and may especially be dangerous for people who accidentally ingest or come into contact them.