Termite termination ???

[LowerUnit]

Any suggestions for elimating termites other than call a pest control company?

The dang things showed up in the house and I've currently placed "Terminate" termite bait stakes (available from Home Depot) around home perimeter. Also picked up some Ortho pesticide control ($40 qt @ HD) which instructs to use 3.2 ounces per gal in 10 foot length trenched barrier 12 to 15 inches deep and is supposed to protect up to five years. I currently have only sprayed the foundation with this stuff. I can do the trench barrier from the work stand point, but is there something else or a better more economical pesticide? I've seen signs of them in the house but not sure what treatment to use.

Any ideas or am I better off to give the "bug" guy $750.00 with a one year guaranty and $100 to extend it annually as opposed to trying it myself?

[Jim Boyd]

Jim, your resident Orkin man here Sorry I can't tell you allot about termites because I'm in pest control, not termite control. But I will tell you what I've read in a half-hearted cross training session of three days.
Were you able to find the point of entry? Mud tubes on the side of the foundation? If yes you might give it a shot. If not there are lots of other areas they can get in that require drilling holes on the interior floors and injecting foam. Another common area that is missed are entry stairs. If you have steps at your front door, most likely they are hollow and would require drilling and injecting of a termitacide. Of course this is for subterranean termites. If you have drywood termites it requires different procedures. The choice I made to get rid of termites in my house was to hire Orkin. The peace of mind and the guaranty did it for me. No discounts either

[cabinetman]

Jim is absolutely correct. The treatment for subterranean is different than drywood termites. I've owned two homes that needed tenting. I do know that keeping the little buggers out in the first place is the trick.

For drywood termites, protecting the exterior is a great start. Any entryway to the house is their path. I was told it isn't easy for them to get in. The have to find a hole in trim boards or gaps somewhere. My plan after treatment was to go around the whole house, check all the areas for possible entry. Had to fix weatherseals and repaint trim, and installed a different mesh for eave vents.



A THING OF BEAUTY IS A JOY FOREVER - John Keats

[MilDoc]

Agree with the above. If they are the subterranean variety, trenching is a must. Surface treatment won't cut it. And if you have an "attached" (ie, right next to the house) concrete walk, etc, then holes must be drilled to get down to dirt next to the house. That's why they're called subterranean.

[JR]

You do not want to screw around with termites. Get the professionals in there ASAP.

JR

[LowerUnit]

Thank you for the input.

Yeppo, these are the subterranean variety.

Would've been a lot nicer if you told me they were just little things and would go away if I yelled at them.