Did you know that a single termite species already cost the US about $2 billion in property damage each year? This incredibly destructive species is none other than the eastern subterranean termite.
Unfortunately, this is the termite species also most common in Mississippi. It’s actually native to the US but has since then spread to many other parts of the world.
What’s more, experts say that US consumers spend an average of $3,000-$5000 to repair termite damage. However, this doesn’t include the cost of treating for termites. It’s only for repairing termite-destroyed structures.
The good news is that prompt identification and removal can mitigate termite damage. So, the sooner you get your house treated for termites, the lower your pest damage repair costs.
This post covers the top termite treatment options you can get for your Mississippi home, so be sure to read on.
Average Termite Treatment Cost
The EPA says that US property owners spend at least two billion dollars a year to treat termites. If you spread this over the 119.7 million occupied housing units in the US, it averages about $16.70 per house. Not bad, right?
However, keep in mind that while all homes are at risk of termites, not all have ongoing infestations. This is especially true for properties with physical and chemical pest-proofing barriers. These homes have anti-termite defense systems that reject or kill these insects.
The cost of termite treatments vary widely based on the type of treatment and method of application. The cost is usually based on your home’s linear square footage and can range from $10-$18/linear foot. The two most common termite treatments are liquid and termite bait systems.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Termite Treatment
Your final bill depends on how small (or massive) the existing termite colonies are. Note that a colony can house hundreds to several million individual termites.
Another cost factor is the size of your home in linear footage that requires termite treatment. The larger the home, the higher your total bill.
There’s also the type of treatment, be it bait systems or chemical-based termiticides. Nearly all homes in Mississippi received liquid termite barrier treatments at the time of construction. Keep in mind, though, that these pre-construction slab treatments may only last 5-7 years.
Termite treatment chemicals can kill the insects on contact or destroy them gradually. Contact-killing termiticides may be cheaper, but may not take out the entire colony. The chemical never reaches termite queens, so they will continue to reproduce.
Long-term termite treatments include innovative baiting systems. These are the gradual type of termite killers, capable of reaching the entire colony. They do need more time to work, but they can destroy huge chunks of colonies.
A Closer Look at Liquid Termite Treatments
Most liquid termiticides involve soil application. These provide a chemical barrier between a structure and the termites in the ground. As termites are everywhere, the entire perimeter must undergo treatment.
This means that its application is necessary for all pipes and foundations. In new buildings, this isn’t an issue since pest pros can apply them during the construction.
In existing buildings, soil-applied termiticides often involve digging and drilling. After all, the insecticide must reach the areas below the ground for it to work. That’s why this approach can be obtrusive, laborious, and, yes, expensive!
Incorrect application of liquid termiticides can also lead to water contamination. For this reason, only licensed pest professionals can carry out this job. In some cases, the Mississippi may not issue permits if there’s a high risk of contamination.
Spot Treatments for Small Local Termite Infestations
If you catch them super early, you may be able to get rid of termites with a spot treatment. Note, though, that this only eliminates pests affecting a small area. It also often involves drilling so that the insecticide can get deposited into the site.
The disadvantage of spot treatments is that they do not control the termite colony responsible for the infestation in your home. It only targets the termites at a specific location. The most common termiticides used for spot treatments are either liquid or foam. Termidor foam(fipronil) is an example of one of these.
Some spot treatments may involve the use of a chemical called “borate.” You most likely know this substance as “boric acid” or borax. It’s primarily a wood preservative, but it can also kill termites.
Borate or boric acid impairs the digestive functions of termites. This then induces death in the pests.
Borates can either be in liquid or powder form. They’re cheap, yes, but again, it’s only because they have limited effectiveness. They won’t kill a huge chunk of the colony, and they won’t protect all areas of your home either.
Baiting Systems for Long-Term Termite Treatment at Home
Baiting systems also rely on chemicals, but the ones they use can be less toxic. This is especially true for modern baits, like the Trelona ATBS Bait System. It comes with both an active and a passive bait.
The “active” bait consists of novaluron, a type of insect growth regulator (IGR). IGRs are compounds that mimic hormones in nymphs or young insects. They alter the way insects grow, making them unable to reach maturity.
In the case of novaluron, termite workers that ingest or come into contact with it will be unable to molt. Since they can’t molt, their lifespan shortens. The death of the termite workers then results in the colony’s starvation.
Also, note that some termite workers molt and change into winged adults known as “alates.” These are the swarmers that fly, form pairs, look for new shelters, and create new colonies.
Novaluron can prevent these from happening as it renders workers unable to molt. So, the workers supposed to change into alates won’t reach that point. As such, they won’t be able to pair up, mate, and form a new kingdom.
Studies do back up the effectiveness of novaluron in termite control. Researchers say that it helped cut termite populations and mitigate their damage. The average time it took for the baits to control the infestation was 5.4 months.
What’s more, scientists say that IGRs have minimal toxicity. This means that they have a lower risk of causing health effects in people. They also have a lower impact on beneficial insects.
When Is It a Good Time to Get Termite Treatment?
The thing about termites is that they become “obvious” only after they’ve been in your home for years. Take swarmers, for instance: these winged termites come out after three to six years.
So, if you’ve seen these flyers in or around your home, it likely means you have a severe infestation. In this case, it’s best that you don’t delay calling a Mississippi termite control expert. You need to have your home treated as soon as possible to curb termite populations.
At the same time, you don’t have to wait to see swarmers before you call a termite exterminator. Again, these pests can stay hidden and undetectable for years. If you suspect any kind of termite activity at home, get in touch with a local termite expert ASAP.
It’s also a smart idea to have your home set up with termite defense. Baiting systems are also effective in preventing intrusions in the first place. With these in and around your home, you can rest easy knowing that you have lower infestation risks.
Annual termite inspections are also a must, especially if your home is not protected under a termite bond or warranty. You can end up depleting your savings if your home turns out infested with these pests.
Termite Treatment Regulations in Mississippi
The State of Mississippi enforces strict laws on the purchase and use of many pesticides. The thing is, many termite treatments fall under the class of “restricted-use” chemicals. These include many soil-applied termiticides and baiting systems.
This is why only licensed professionals can carry out most termite control activities. Pesticide applicators also undergo training and stringent testing. They must pass exams before they can provide pest control services to MS consumers.
You can buy and apply some insecticides on your own, such as boric acid. However, make sure you follow the directions on the label. Improper use of borax can result in nausea, breathing issues, and vomiting.
For your safety and peace of mind, invest in professional pest control. They’re experts in what they do; plus, they carry insurance. They also have the proper equipment to ensure effective and safe termiticide application.
Put a Stop to Termites Now
There you have it, the complete guide on termite treatment cost and treatment options. Now that you know how termiticides work and how much they cost, the next step is to call an exterminator. Don’t put it off any longer, as these tiny voracious wood eaters can do even more damage in just a few days.
If you live in or near Jackson, MS, please know that Synergy² can handle all your pest control needs. Call or email us now so we can get those termites eating away at your home under control.
Are you not having any luck with termites? We can get rid of your pest problem for you. Learn more about our general preventative residential pest control services or request a quote for your specific problem here. Together, we will eliminate your pest problems once and for all. Did you know Synergy² is a full-service pest company specializing in difficult-to-treat pest problems such as ants, mice, roaches and bed bugs?
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