Do It Yourself Termite Treatments
Treating your own structure - for the prevention of - or the eradication of - a termite infestation, is easier than you'd think. The money you will save, when you do it yourself, is considerable and you can get professional results. So pick your termite and read on.
Read through these treatments and if you decide to do it yourself termite control - enter our online store and purchase the same chemicals and supplies professional pest control operators use and get the right products for the job. Do it yourself termite treatment and $tart $aving!
- DIY Liquid Treatment
- DIY Termite Bait Stations
- DIY Pre-Contruction Termite Treatment
- DIY Termite Treatment For Existing Workshop or Storage Shed
TIPS FROM THE PROS
Do It Yourself Liquid Termite Treatment, Here’s How!
Do it Yourself Learning Series
August 14, 2009
By Micheal C Dukes
Certified PCO Georgia and Alabama since 1989
Since 2001 non-repellant low toxicity termiticides are available. Around 2007-2008 permission was granted to all 50 states to do an abbreviated treatment, referred to as a defined treatment. A defined treatment is proven effective preventing or eradicating a subterranean termite infestation.
A defined treatment can only be done using Termidor SC or Premise 2. I prefer to use Termidor SC from personal experience using both products.
Dr. Cook at the University of Kentucky proved that termites could be eliminated from a structure using Termidor by simply trenching around the structure and placing the proper amount of Termidor into the trench. At Knox Pest Control we treat hundreds of homes each year using Termidor and we have had 100% success. Done correctly this treatment using Termidor should protect your home for about 15 years.
Here is one way to do the termite treatment yourself.
SLAB STRUCTURES: (Structures with cement floors)
- Before you handle Termite SC make sure to read the entire label. This is not a hardware store product this is the top professional product used by termite treatment companies around the world.
- Then measure the distance around your home. Let’s say its 180 LN FT. since each bottle of Termidor SC will treat 60 LN FT you will need three 20-oz. bottles.
- Use a mattock or grubbing hoe to dig a trench 4 to 6 inches wide and 4 to 6 inches deep all the way around your structure. These tools are available in most hardware stores including Lowes and Home Depot for around $20.
- Round up a clean 5 gallon bucket and put 4 gallons of water in it, add 3.3 ounces of Termidor SC. Stir and mix well.
- Pour your 4 gallons of mixture into a 10 foot section of your trench. You can kick in the backfill as you treat.
- The product label calls for 4 gals of Termite SC for every 10 LN FT. so you have to continue to repeat this process all the way around.
- If you have a cement porch or driveway that is right up against your foundation you will need to drill a 3/8 to ½ hole thru the slab into the dirt below using a masonry bit. These holes need to be away from the foundation wall about 4 to 6 inches and no further apart than 12 inches. Then you can use a funnel to apply approximately 1 quart of Termidor to each hole. Slowly let the product seep in and under the slab. Plug the holes with mortar patch or use Treber Plugs.
CRAWL SPACE STRUCTURES:
- Do everything above and add this step.
- Go into the crawl space and trench around each support pier and pour 4 gals per 10 feet of pier space. Most piers are around 4 feet in diameter so 1 finished gal of Termidor would do for each pier.
TIPS FROM THE PROS
Do It Yourself Bait Station Termite Treatment, Here’s How!
Do it Yourself Learning Series
Nov.27, 2009
By Micheal C Dukes
Certified PCO Georgia and Alabama since 1989
These instructions are for installing the Advance Termite Bait Station System. Other bait station systems will vary on installation and maintenance. When you order your Termite Bait Station Kit you will need to order enough stations to do the job. I suggest you place the stations at 10 to 15 foot intervals. So if your structure measures 200 Ln. Ft. around you will need to order at least 14 to 20 stations. Don't forget to cover distance around the garage and any other structures on your property that you want to protect against termite infestation. Then add a station for each ten or fifteen foot interval there after.
After you have the right amount of stations, your digging tool and a tape measure you can begin :
DIRECTIONS FOR INSTALLING YOUR TERMITE BAIT STATION SYSTEM :
- Walk around the structure and place the stations on the ground at the intervals you have decided to use, at 10 or 15 feet apart.
- As you place the stations, number the lid of each one, use a permanent marker pen. The first station you place should be number one the second number two and so on. This will help to identify each station on paper and will come into play during the maintenance part of maintaining your termite bait station system.
- Make adjustments to the placement intervals as needed. If you have a driveway or patio just place stations around them or skip around them.
- Use a 4-inch auger to dig each hole for each station, or use a post hole digger, or small spade. Make sure you dig the hole 10-1/2 inches deep. The station is ten inches tall and you want the station tops to be flush with the ground so you won't hit it with your mower or trip over it while you are walking.
- Put each station in it's own hole and make sure the station is secure and snug. No gaps between the station and the dirt, but don't pack it too tight. Spread the excess dirt around or remove it in a bucket.
- Make a drawing of your home showing placement of stations with station numbers now.
DIRECTIONS FOR MAINTAINING YOUR TERMITE BAIT STATION SYSTEM :
- 45-days after your initial installation, open each station and see if you see termites inside. If you don't close the station and move to the next station.
- If you find termites take the top inspection cartridge out and replace it with the active bait cartridge then make that station on your graph drawing so you'll know which stations termites are hitting.
- Repeat this process all the way around your structure checking each station and replacing the top inspection cartridge with the active bait cartridge each time you find termites in a station
- Now go on a 90 day schedule until you find termites . When you find termites check all stations in 45-days.
TIPS FROM THE PROS
Do It Yourself Pre-construction Termite Treatment, Here’s How!
Do it Yourself Learning Series
Nov.27, 2009
By Micheal C Dukes
Certified PCO Georgia and Alabama since 1989
These instructions are for homeowners building their own structures. Most banks and mortgage companies will not accept a treatment without a guarantee, so you might have to have this done by a professional termite company. This is a difficult treatment to do yourself so you may want to leave this one to professionals that have the correct equipment needed. But for the hardy few here's how it's done.
SLAB CONSTRUCTION : (2 stage treatment required)
1st Stage:
- Choose your termiticide. You'll find a list here, select a liquid concentrate and read all product labels.
- Just before you pour the slab and before you put in wire mesh and a vapor barrier treat the soil with a termiticide. In most states 1 gallon for every 10 sq. ft. will do the job. Make it as even an application as you can. example: 1,000 sq. ft. structure requires 100 gallons, 2,000 sq. ft. structure requires 200 gallons and so on. You should try and rent a spray rig from a local rental store for this.
2nd Stage:
- After the building is complete and before the landscaping is done, dig a trench with a *mattock (grubbing hoe) 4 to 6 inches wide and 4 to 6 inches deep all the wall around the structure.
- Put 4 gallons of finished product into the trench and lightly cover it with dirt.
- Although you now know how it's done you might not have access to the spray unit.
CRAWL SPACE CONSTRUCTION : 2 stage treatment required)
1st Stage:
- Choose your termiticide. You'll find a list here, select a liquid concentrate and read all product labels.
- After the pier footers are dug, treat each hole with termiticide. You can mix your product in a five gallon bucket and treat each footer making sure to get product on the sides of the hole too. 1 gallon per each pier footing should be sufficient. (Remember, 1 gal for each 10 sq. ft.)
- Now treat the outside wall footers 1 gallon per each 10 sq. ft. again.
2nd Stage:
- After the building is complete and before the landscaping is done, dig a trench with a *mattock (grubbing hoe) 4 to 6 inches wide and 4 to 6 inches deep all the wall around the structure.
- Put 4 gallons of finished product into the trench and lightly cover it with dirt.
- Go underneath and dig a trench around the inside foundation wall and around each pier and treat those too.
*Mattock - Can be found at most hardware stores and is about the same size as an axe but has a hoe end on it. Use it by chopping the soil and move backwards around the house.
TIPS FROM THE PROS
Do It Yourself Termite Treatment for Existing Workshops or Storage Sheds, Here’s How!
Do it Yourself Learning Series
Nov.27, 2009
By Micheal C Dukes
Certified PCO Georgia and Alabama since 1989
These instructions are for homeowners building their own structures. You will need a clean disposable 5 gallon bucket, a mattock (grubbing hoe) and your choice of termiticide.
SALB CONSTRUCTION :
- Choose your termiticide. You'll find a list here, select a liquid concentrate and read all product labels.
- Dig a trench around your structure 4 to 6 inches wide and 4 to 6 inches deep.
- Mix your product (follow the label) and pour into your trench at a rate of 4 gallons for each 10 foot section.
- Your done
CRAWL SPACE :
- Choose your termiticide. You'll find a list here, select a liquid concentrate and read all product labels.
- Dig a trench around your structure 4 to 6 inches wide and 4 to 6 inches deep.
- Go underneath and trench and treat around each pier and the outside foundation wall, if you have one.
- Treat at a rate of 4 gallons per each 10 foot section.
- Your done.
Important Notice - This article is a part of the Termite MD Learning Series. These articles, tips and secrets of the trade do not work in every situation for everyone, every time. Please carefully read and make your own adjustments in your situation to our statements. Call toll free if you are in doubt or if you have questions! Always follow Product Labels and Material Safety Data Sheets' directions first as this is Federal Law. You will learn how to properly handle, properly use and probably dispose of the products mentioned in this site by reading these two documents.