The following pre-construction and post-construction soil treatment methods are most effective for subterranean termite control. If you have other termite problems, including Formosan, Dampwood, or Drywood termites, you may need to follow more extensive control methods such as fumigation.
I. Pre-Construction Preventative Treatment
The best way to protect a structure against termite attack and damage is to pre-treat construction elements before construction has been completed.
1. Exposed wood can be treated with an insecticide/wood preservative such as Boracare. These products will last the life of the wood.
2. Foundational walls and piers can be treated with a termiticide (Termidor SC) at the soil level: - Dig a trench in the soil adjacent to the structure, 6 inches deep by 6 inches wide.
- Soak the soil on both sides of the foundation walls at the rate indicated on the product label. Using a 5 gallon bucket is easier than a sprayer for this task.
- Loosen the soil on the bottom of the trench with a spade for additional penetration.
- Replace the soil in the trench, being careful to mix each shovelful with the diluted termiticide.
3. Concrete Slabs should be treated with Termidor SC. This job is much easier if the treatment is applied under the slab BEFORE it has been poured. If the slab is already in place, the chemical can be injected through a drill hole, though this may require the help of a professional.
II. Post-Construction Preventative Treatments
1. Begin with an inspection to determine problem areas where attack is likely to occur. It may pay to have a professional termite control company assist you with this.
2. Basements can be treated by drilling holes through the floor at evenly spaced intervals and injecting the termiticide (Termidor SC) into the soil.
3. Crawl spaces may also be treated with Termidor SC using the trenching method: - Dig a narrow trench (6 inches wide by 6 inches deep) along the inside and outside walls foundation and around pier and chimney base (the trench does not need to go any deeper than the footing).
- Soak the soil on both sides of the foundation walls at the rate of 4 gallons per 10 linear feet. Using a 5 gallon bucket is easier than a sprayer for this task.
- Loosen the soil on the bottom of the trench with a spade for additional penetration
- Replace the soil in the trench, being careful to mix each shovelful with the diluted termiticide.
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