Termite Control Stems from Prevention

12 April, 2010

Spring time means April flowers, May showers and, you guessed it – termite season.

“Termites are the pest that people get the most emotional about,” said Chris Arne, PhD and Chief Entomologist at Ehrlich Pest Control. “When people hear they have termites, they’re understandably concerned. Termites threaten the structural integrity of their biggest investment – their home.”

Termite control and detection is made a bit trickier because of this pest’s secretive nature. “Termites damage homes from the inside out,” said Arne. “Typically, they live in wall voids, hollow doors and behind wood molding. Termite damage can occur for years without homeowners knowing they have a termite problem.”

While there are no guarantees (termites will do what termites will do), the termite control specialists at Ehrlich say there are simple things homeowners can and should do to keep termites at bay. Termites need wood and moisture, so:

• Guard against water collecting near your home. Check downspouts, gutters and hoses. Leaks should be repaired.
• Minimize areas where wood is placed directly in the soil (deck posts, porches, etc.).
• Keep firewood away from the house and remove all dead tree stumps.
• Paint or seal all exterior wooden materials on your home, including shutters, siding and doors.
• Consider an annual inspection to catch problems early.
• Keep wood landscaping mulch away from your foundation.
• If you're building a home, the soil underneath can be treated to form a protective barrier against termites.
• If you live in a high risk termite area, you may want to consider termite monitoring and baiting for added, ongoing termite protection and to get rid of termites. With a termite baiting system, small unobtrusive stations are placed in the soil around the outside perimeter of your home. Termites feed on the bait and bring it back to their colonies.

These stations are regularly checked for termite activity. “Termite baiting has become a very useful tool in our termite control program,” says Ehrlich Pest Control’s Arne. “It gives people peace of mind that the stations are being monitored and checked. They get an instant termite activity report.”

Ehrlich Pest Control provides residential and commercial pest control and termite control throughout Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia and Connecticut.