Do termites return after treatment? In this guide, we will be looking at why these insects come back and how to prevent a resurgence.
Every homeowner dreads termite infestations due to the sheer level of damage caused.
Termites are also among the most difficult infestations to deal with. Sometimes, a problem lingers on way beyond treatment. Of course, such treatments may have been shabbily done.
So the question is; do termites come back after treatment? If they do, why do they resurface? Was the extermination measure used not reliable enough? Do they come from someplace to replenish the previous colony?
What are the causes of such resurgence?
Join us to discuss these and more.
Termites Can Come Back After Treatment
Termites can return with a bang even after carrying out a detailed treatment of the infested area. There are instances where a property has sustained some level of damage due to termite presence.
Such property is much more vulnerable upon their return or resurgence.
This is a nightmare for most homeowners as their prized property is being destroyed. The natural response will be to fight back but even that can be overwhelming.
It becomes increasingly difficult to control termite resurgence when the control methods used aren’t effective.
Why The Resurgent Termite Infestation?
Whether proper treatment is carried out or not, the potential for a termite comeback is quite high. Such comeback is more frequent in cases where treatment wasn’t properly administered.
However, even the best termite treatment methods see termites return after a while.
In a nutshell, treatments don’t last forever, unless of course preventive measures are administered and sustained.
To have a real chance of tackling termite infestation, treatment needs to be done by professionals. DIY methods won’t do much to rid your home of these pests.
Maintenance isn’t a One-Off Thing
To have a real chance at combating invading termite populations, you must understand that maintenance isn’t a one-off thing. Termite infestations can be so severe that your property ends up destroyed or significantly impacted.
So, apart from treatment costs, you end up incurring tens of thousands of dollars in repair costs.
The understanding that termite infestations and treatments are beyond a single event goes a long way in helping you anticipate and prepare.
Such preparation could be in the form of scheduled inspections and possible treatment when termite presence is detected.
An Area Could Be Prone to Termite Activity
The key reason(s) why termite problems could persist may be attributed to your location. Your home or property could be located within a termite-prone area. Such areas could have frequent infestation problems than others.
However, professional treatment and scheduled inspections go a long way to address the problem. With scheduled inspections, signs of termite activity and presence are being examined.
Apart from visual inspections, the use of specialized detection tools could apply.
DIY Strategies Are Grossly Inadequate
Sometimes, in a bid to reduce treatment costs, some homeowners adopt DIY treatment strategies.
Experience has shown that such methods are significantly inadequate and won’t do much to eliminate termite populations within your property.
It may kill some but won’t wipe out the entire colony. On the surface, things may look okay, but in reality, things may just be getting started. The longer it takes to wipe out a termite colony, the more vulnerable your property is.
These pests could eventually overrun your home causing irreparable damage.
Concerted Efforts are needed to Halt Termite Resurgence
You have a responsibility as a homeowner to ensure that termites do not return after treatment.
Such responsibility requires you to call for professional help. By agreeing with a reputable pest management service, your space is protected for years to come.
Based on the level of termite activity within a certain location, inspections may be more or less frequent. It all depends on findings made by the pest control experts.
Knowing the most basic signs to look out for will go a long way in preventing termite resurgence on your property.
Such signs include blisters in wood flooring, mud tubes, hollowed or damaged wood as well as drywood termite droppings are strong signs. Also, evidence of swarms such as scattered termite wings found near closed windows and doors give you a heads-up.
The only way to be certain is by calling the pros.
Termite management services conduct a thorough inspection of your property to determine if truly these pests have returned. It all starts with you.
How observant you are can make the difference.
How Often Should Termite Inspection Be?
Remember we said to keep termite activity under check; an infestation needs to be professionally treated. Afterward, it will be crucial to call for scheduled inspections of your property.
Such scheduled inspections are done in such a way that your property is kept safe from termite activity.
Yearly termite inspections are needed to forestall termite resurgence on your property.
Under such arrangement, your home is kept safe from these pests and anything out of the ordinary (in terms of signs of a comeback) is immediately addressed.
Is Treatment Performed During Each Inspection?
Not at all! Treatments are only administered when there’s a confirmed case of termite activity. Inspections simply seek to find out whether these pests are present or not.
Such inspections lookout for signs and symptoms of termite activity.
The biggest proof of termite presence is when live termites are actually seen around or near the targeted area.
How Long Do Termite Treatments Last?
Since we’re discussing the possibility of termite resurgence after treatment, it’s important to consider how long treatments last.
When a reputable pest management service is contracted to perform termite treatment or extermination, such treatment lasts from 6 to 13 years.
This is a significant amount of time to gain relief from termite activity. However as stated earlier, inspections should be done yearly.
The need to Perform Repeat Treatments
After treating your home for termites, a pest control service will have to return after a few days or weeks to determine if the treatment has been effective or not.
Here, signs of termite activity are inspected to resolve them once and for all.
In most cases, such repeat treatments come at no additional cost to the homeowner as the pest service is simply ensuring that its treatment has the desired impact.
Termite issues are likely to persist even after treatment. We’ve seen the different scenarios that play out and how often inspections are to be performed.