How to treat for termites

Termites can be a real problem, expensive to treat and the damage they cause is even more expensive. Whether you have no signs of wood destroying insects or a full blown termite swarm, you can benefit from having your home treated. The goal of a termite treatment is to create a barrier at every possible entrance point to your home. One small gap in coverage and you could still be dealing with termites. While I recommend strongly you get a professional to treat your home for termites, know not everyone can afford it. Here we will give some general advice on how to treat your home yourself. This is not an extensive guide, but it will cover the basics of what to do if you are doing the work yourself.

what you will need to treat termites

• Safety goggles
  
• Chemical proof elbow length disposable gloves
  
• Trenching shovel
  
• An insecticide labeled as a Termicide
• Water
  
• Chemical proof apron for mixing (if required)
  
• Chemical resistant rubber boots
  
• 5 gallon bucket
  
• Hammer drill with multiple long bits for concrete
  
• Funnel
• Flexible pipe for the funnel
• Saw for cutting through Sheetrock
• Bath trap door or a sheetrock repair kit and paint
• rubber stopper for drill holes in the concrete or quickcrete to cover the holes
• Plastic liner or tarp
• Flashlight

---

how do termites enter your home

Termite can enter your home by:

• tunneling up the foundation
  
• tunneling through the gap in the foundation under your bath tubs
  
• through any expansion concrete slab
  
• tunneling up columns that extend over your slab (you won't be able to see the tunnel since it is in side the column)
  

how to treat a home built on a slab for termites

1. Use your trenching shovel to make a 4 inch wide by 6 inch deep trench around the entire foundation of the home.
   
2. You will have to use the hammer drill on any areas of the foundation that are up against a concrete slab that is not part of the original foundation. Use the hammer drill to bore through the concrete until your break through to the soil underneath. You should do this every six to eight inches or as far apart as the termicide label recommends. Be sure to put an additional drill hole past the corner of the house to ensure the barrier you will be creating has no gaps.
   
3. For any bathtubs in your home on the first floor only, you will need to cut out an entry point to treat. Look at your bathtub drain. Go to the wall directly behind the drain. (this will most likely be in the next room) Cut a rectangular hole in the wall with the bottom of the hole starting roughly six inches from the ground. The hole should match the size of the trap door.
   
4. Put on your safety glasses, safety gloves, boots and apron. This product is deadly so make sure that you do not get it on you and keep those without safety gear away. Be especially cautious to keep children and pets away as well.
   
5. Follow the label instructions for mixing the herbicide.
   
6. Apply the amount of herbicide per linear foot of trenched soil based on the label's instructions.
   
7. Backfill the soil your removed from the trench on top of the termicide so that it is completely covered. Do not leave an area that has been treated and has not been back filled unsupervised as this can lead to someone accidentally coming in contact with it.
   
8. Use you your funnel to fill the holes your previously made in the concrete. Follow the termicide label instruction for how much to add.
   
9. Use the rubber stoppers or quickcrete to cover the holes. This prevents the chemical from being disturbed so it can remain a strong barrier.
   
10. Take off your rubber boots before going inside your house. You do not want to track any termicide onto your floors inside.
    
11. Lay out a plastic liner or tarp beneath the area of Sheetrock you cut out. 
    
12. Use the funnel and flex hose to administer the termicide to the trap cavity under your bath tub. Follow the instructions ont he termicide label for how much to use for each bath trap   This is the big hole in the foundation under your tub where you can see dirt.
    
13. Install the bath trap door or fix the sheet rock.
    
14. Clean up and properly dispose of all products according to the pesticide's label.

advice on your home and termites

All termicides are not created equal. Some termicides guarantee five years of protection while some only guarantee two years. It is a lot of work treating your home for termites as you will come to find out so in an effort to not have to do it again sooner than later, I strongly recommend spending extra and buying the termicide with a longer residual.

When handling any pesticides, always consider both your personal safety and the safety of others your top priority. Keep this in mind not only when you are applying pesticides, but also when you are storing pesticides and when you dispose of pesticides.

Keep dirt and mulch at least six inches off the foundation of your home. 
Keep piles of leaves and old wood away from your home. 
Keep plants, including tree branches, pruned at least two inches away from your foundation.
Do not plant woody plants directly against to your home.

Termite extermination is a lot of work and a small mistake in treatment can cost you a lot in repairs. I strongly recommend hiring a professional. Call us at 225-752-2333 or request service below.

Request Service