What Not To Do About Termites On Your Bradenton Property

It’s no secret, termites are some of the most destructive pests faced by Florida property owners. In fact, in the United States alone, termites are responsible for over five billion dollars’ worth of damage each year. It is critical for homeowners to take the proper precautions to protect their Bradenton property from these destructive pests. Since termites can cause more damage the longer their infestations are allowed to exist, dealing with them promptly and effectively is paramount if you want to limit the damage to your Bradenton property. Unfortunately, when faced with termite infestations, many people turn to DIY termite control methods that simply don’t get the job done. That’s why, as a Bradenton property owner, you need to know the effective methods of termite control that you can count on should your property become infested with these destructive pests.

Termite Basics

Termites are small, ant-like pests that feed on the organic matter that makes up wood. They are typically pale yellow, brown, or black in color. Termites live in colonies that are comprised of three separate castes. These castes consist of workers, soldiers, and reproductives. Workers gather food for the colony while soldiers protect the colony from any would-be threats. Reproductives are charged with setting out to create new colonies in a process known as a termite swarm.

There are two species of termites that Bradenton property owners might face. These are subterranean termites and drywood termites. Subterranean termites live underground in the soil and will travel to find wood to eat. Drywood termites, alternatively, live inside of the wood that they are eating.

The Pitfalls Of DIY Termite Control

When faced with termite infestations, many people elect to tackle the problem on their own. In doing so, they rely on certain DIY solutions and products that, by and large, aren’t really that effective when it comes to eliminating entire infestations. Some of these tactics include orange oil, heat, and OTC sprays.
Orange oil is a DIY termite treatment that is supposed to break down the exoskeletons of drywood termites. However, it is hard to effectively apply it to the entire colony and does not work on subterranean termites which are far more common than drywood termites. Furthermore, orange oil can damage furniture and other wood items that it is applied to.

Heat is a method of termite control that involves heating infested wood to at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature that termites cannot survive in. However, without professional help or the use of expensive equipment, achieving this heat level effectively throughout the infested area is quite challenging.
Finally, OTC sprays that are intended to kill termites typically do not work effectively enough to be considered solutions. While they may indeed kill some termites, they, more often than not, do not address the greater problem. Moreover, effectively applying termite treatments takes a certain knowledge of the pest that most people simply do not possess.

Tried & True Termite Prevention Methods

While DIY termite treatment may not be the best idea for effectively removing infestations, there are steps you can take to better protect your home from termites before they have a chance to move in. These include:

• Keep your home well-ventilated to prevent moisture buildup.
• Use dehumidifiers in areas of the home that are prone to moisture buildup.
• Remove or replace any decaying or rotting wood.
• Fix any leaks in your home including pipes and fixtures.
• Keep woodpiles away from your home’s exterior.
• Limit wood-to-soil contact around your home by creating gravel or cement barriers between the soil and wood such as deck posts and siding.

Subterranean Termite Bait Stations

Effective Termite Control For Your Bradenton Property

If you do find yourself dealing with a termite infestation on your property, the best idea is to contact the professionals here at Rodent Solutions for assistance. Here at Rodent Solutions, we know termites. We know how they operate and what it takes to effectively eliminate an infestation. So, don’t put your home in more danger than it needs to be. Give us a call today.