Not only have chemical formulations been updated, application techniques also have evolved to focus on more targeted applications at lower volumes. In the past, pest control experts applied termiticides extensively to create soil barriers to deter subterranean termites. Today, these materials can be applied with more targeted methods, including rods that run beneath the foundation of a home and baits that contain very small amounts of treatment materials.

While termiticide and bait formulations are now more targeted and less concentrated, you should still contact an expert for treatment application. Pest management professionals receive the training and certification required to stay up to date on the latest treatment materials, techniques and regulations. Qualified experts use EPA-registered formulations according to label instructions to help provide the most effective treatment with the least amount of pesticide.

To help ensure safe termite treatment in your home, make sure you understand the products suggested by your termite control specialist. He or she can answer questions about the benefits, limitations and safety precautions associated with specific products before recommending a prevention and treatment approach for your home.

Safe Termite Control Products
There are many termite control products currently registered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for residential termite treatments.

Subterranean Termites
A few common EPA-registered products for subterranean termite control include fipronil (Termidor®), chlorfenapyr (Phantom®) and imidacloprid (Premise®).

Drywood Termites
The EPA offers specific certification and training for licensed pest management professionals who provide whole structure fumigation with sulfuryl fluoride, a fumigant.

Borate solutions also have been approved for use in direct wood treatment. The most common borate used for wood treatment is disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (DOT).

Not only have chemical formulations been updated, application techniques also have evolved to focus on more targeted applications at lower volumes. In the past, pest control experts applied termiticides extensively to create soil barriers to deter subterranean termites. Today, these materials can be applied with more targeted methods, including rods that run beneath the foundation of a home and baits that contain very small amounts of treatment materials.

While termiticide and bait formulations are now more targeted and less concentrated, you should still contact an expert for treatment application. Pest management professionals receive the training and certification required to stay up to date on the latest treatment materials, techniques and regulations. Qualified experts use EPA-registered formulations according to label instructions to help provide the most effective treatment with the least amount of pesticide.

To help ensure safe termite treatment in your home, make sure you understand the products suggested by your termite control specialist. He or she can answer questions about the benefits, limitations and safety precautions associated with specific products before recommending a prevention and treatment approach for your home.

Safe Termite Control Products
There are many termite control products currently registered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for residential termite treatments.

Subterranean Termites
A few common EPA-registered products for subterranean termite control include fipronil (Termidor®), chlorfenapyr (Phantom®) and imidacloprid (Premise®).

Drywood Termites
The EPA offers specific certification and training for licensed pest management professionals who provide whole structure fumigation with sulfuryl fluoride, a fumigant.

Borate solutions also have been approved for use in direct wood treatment. The most common borate used for wood treatment is disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (DOT).

Common termite baits include insect growth regulators (IGRs) and slow-acting metabolic inhibitors and toxins (materials that get into termites’ nervous systems).

When they occur naturally, IGRs control a termite’s growth and development process. However, chemical manufacturers can use IGRs to disrupt a termite’s normal development. If a termite is not able to molt, it will die. Common IGRs include hexaflumuron (commonly found in Recruit® III), diflubenzuron (commonly found in Advance®, Exterra and Truth® bait systems) and noviflumuron (commonly found in Recruit® IV).

Modern termiticides used in bait stations break down very quickly and are much safer than termite control products that were used in early termite control and are no longer manufactured or sold in the United States. A few common termiticides include sulfluramid, hydramethylnon and fipronil.

Termite bait systems work by combining a chemical that can control termites with a food that they love (cellulose). Worker (forager) termites will eat the material and take it back to their nest to share with the larvae, soldiers and reproductives they feed and groom. Through this transfer effect, bait stations can control entire colonies effectively.

Depending on the size of a termite colony, it may take a few weeks or a full year for a termite bait system to control or suppress the colony. Regular inspections by a trained termite expert are important to ensure the effectiveness of treatment.

Bait systems consist of multiple bait stations placed around a home, typically installed at fixed intervals of 10 to 20 feet apart. A bait station is a plastic, child-resistant compartment that holds a termite bait cartridge. When a bait system functions solely as a monitoring system, the cartridge consists only of termite food. Then, when termites have been detected, the food cartridge is replaced with a cartridge that contains a non-repellent, slow-acting material that kills termites.

If your pest control professional discovers signs of drywood termites in your home during an annual termite inspection, he or she can discuss options for controlling the infestation, including structural fumigation.

Unlike annual termite inspections, you do not need to fumigate for termites yearly or at any other scheduled interval after the active colonies have been controlled. However, after fumigation, it is important to continue to receive annual inspections to identify signs of infestations as soon as possible. Fumigation leaves no residue that can help prevent future reinfestation by drywood termites.

Tips to Prevent Drywood Termite Infestations
A drywood termite infestation begins with a king and queen that slip into a crack in the wood of a home, excavate a little “nuptial” nest and seal themselves inside. To help prevent an infestation, you can use protective wood treatments and regular home maintenance, including the following activities:

• Seal all cracks, crevices and joints on the exterior of your home.
• Add a fresh coat of paint to exterior wood when it begins to peel or bubble.
• Keep screens on attic and foundation vents.
• Get rid of any materials that might house termites in your yard, including dead trees and lumber. Store firewood far away from your home to avoid easy access.

Termite barriers come in a wide variety of forms. Physical, non-chemical barriers include sand and basaltic particle barriers, as well as stainless steel mesh barriers. Chemical versions include soil treatments and plastic barriers that are treated with termiticide.

Termite Barrier System Protection
Physical, non-chemical termite barriers are designed to prevent termites from accessing specific areas of the home where they might try to enter undetected, or at least force them to make their activity more visible. Since termites can enter cracks as small as 1/32 inch (the width of a business card), continued monitoring and professional inspections are still essential to detect activity as soon as possible.

Soil treatments with termiticides provide effective control of current and future colonies, when applied properly. To ensure the effectiveness of your treatment, ask your termite professional to explain what activities might affect the product’s concentration. For example, how would landscaping activities affect the protection and how long is the termiticide active?

Termite Barrier System Costs
The cost of a termite barrier system depends on several factors, including

• the type of barrier chosen (physical or chemical treatment and the materials used for each),
• the size of the treatment area,
• whether your home is pre- or post-construction and
• signs of past or current termite infestations.

If you are building a new home, you should consult with a termite expert to understand all of your termite prevention options. There are a number of termite prevention products that can be built into a home that is under construction.

Whether your home is pre- or post-construction, your termite expert can help you understand the benefits, limitations and cost-effectiveness of different termite barriers. He or she can help you evaluate prevention and treatment approaches to determine which methods will be most effective and appropriate for your home.

Illegal Termite Chemicals: Organochlorines
Organochlorines, also known as cyclodiene insecticides, have been in use for more than 60 years to control termite colonies.Chlordane is an example of a widely-used organochlorine that is now not available in the U.S. It was removed from commercial sales in 1988 following discoveries that it was a probable human carcinogen and its residual effects negatively impacted the environment.

While several organochlorines have been removed from market in the U.S., newer formulations called pyrethroid products have been developed. Fipronil (Termidor ®), chlorfenapyr (Phantom ®) and imidacloprid (Premise ®) have been proven to provide effective control, with negligible impact on humans, pets and the environment, when applied according to label instructions. Unlike earlier versions, the residual effects of these newer termiticides can be reduced with detergent and water. While these chemicals have less of an impact on people and the environment, they still should be applied only by trained professionals.

Organophosphates
After chlordane was removed from market, organophosphates became popular formulations for termite control. Organophosphates interfere with an insect’s ability to control its movement, which renders the insect paralyzed and causes its death.

Isofenphos was one type of organophospate commonly used from 1987 – 1992. The Pryfon formula distributed by Bayer Corporation was discontinued in 1992 due to studies suggesting the chemical might break down more quickly in some soil types and climates.

The other main organophospate on the market was chlorpyrifos, which was sold under the brand names Brodan, Detmol UA, Dowco 179, Dursban, Empire, Eradex, Lorsban, Paqeant, Piridane, Scout and Stipend. These products were first introduced in 1982 and removed from market for post-construction applications in 2002. The exact reasons for chlorpyrifos® removal from the market are not known. Most experts believe the removal was a result of more stringent pesticide regulations following the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996.

Over the years, the pest management industry has developed new termiticides and application methods to help improve effectiveness and minimize the impact of treatment on the environment.

Several of these technological advancements focus on more targeted techniques for termiticide application or the adoption of non-chemical methods, such as heat treatment.

Illegal Termite Chemicals: Organochlorines
Organochlorines, also known as cyclodiene insecticides, have been in use for more than 60 years to control termite colonies.Chlordane is an example of a widely-used organochlorine that is now not available in the U.S. It was removed from commercial sales in 1988 following discoveries that it was a probable human carcinogen and its residual effects negatively impacted the environment.

While several organochlorines have been removed from market in the U.S., newer formulations called pyrethroid products have been developed. Fipronil (Termidor ®), chlorfenapyr (Phantom ®) and imidacloprid (Premise ®) have been proven to provide effective control, with negligible impact on humans, pets and the environment, when applied according to label instructions. Unlike earlier versions, the residual effects of these newer termiticides can be reduced with detergent and water. While these chemicals have less of an impact on people and the environment, they still should be applied only by trained professionals.

Organophosphates
After chlordane was removed from market, organophosphates became popular formulations for termite control. Organophosphates interfere with an insect’s ability to control its movement, which renders the insect paralyzed and causes its death.

Isofenphos was one type of organophospate commonly used from 1987 – 1992. The Pryfon formula distributed by Bayer Corporation was discontinued in 1992 due to studies suggesting the chemical might break down more quickly in some soil types and climates.

The other main organophospate on the market was chlorpyrifos, which was sold under the brand names Brodan, Detmol UA, Dowco 179, Dursban, Empire, Eradex, Lorsban, Paqeant, Piridane, Scout and Stipend. These products were first introduced in 1982 and removed from market for post-construction applications in 2002. The exact reasons for chlorpyrifos® removal from the market are not known. Most experts believe the removal was a result of more stringent pesticide regulations following the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996.

Over the years, the pest management industry has developed new termiticides and application methods to help improve effectiveness and minimize the impact of treatment on the environment.

Several of these technological advancements focus on more targeted techniques for termiticide application or the adoption of non-chemical methods, such as heat treatment.

How Does a Stainless Steel Mesh Termite Barrier Work?
Mesh termite barriers have tiny openings that are too small for termites to squeeze through – typically 0.66 by 0.44 millimeters. When constructed of stainless steel, a mesh barrier is too hard for termites to chew through.

Stainless steel mesh barriers are non-toxic. They do not contain pesticides that control termite populations. Instead, they simply provide a physical barrier to prevent termites from entering a home at the point where the barrier is located.

This woven termite barrier functions much like a termite shield. When these types of barriers are installed correctly, subterranean termites are unable to enter a home undetected. However, they can build mud tubes to seek other entry points. Annual termite inspections by a trained professional can help identify signs of activity.

Installation of a Stainless Steel Mesh Termite Barrier
Termite mesh barriers can be installed during the construction of a new home. The manufacturer of the Termi-Mesh ® brand barrier requires that installation be completed by trained and licensed technicians. This product is only available through select companies in the U.S.

Termite mesh barriers come in a variety of shapes that provide protection to specific areas where your home is vulnerable to undetected termite entry. For example, a specially-shaped mesh piece is designed to prevent termite entry around water pipes that enter your home. Mesh also can be attached to flat surfaces with the help of bonding cement.

Similar to sand and basaltic barriers, stainless steel mesh barriers do not control termite colonies – they prevent them from entering in less visible locations. Your termite expert can recommend other prevention and control methods that can be combined with these physical barriers to help provide effective protection.

Treatment Knowledge
A pest control exterminator can recommend the best treatment approach to prevent and control the particular species of termite likely to infest your home. A qualified expert is trained in the methods, techniques and products used to treat termite infestations, including relevant safety and environmental regulations.

Tools & Techniques
Depending on the location of an infestation, treatment may require industrial-strength tools. For example, soil treatments may need to be applied under your home to prevent and treat subterranean termite infestations. Your exterminator will have the tools required to drill holes in your foundation to insert treatment rods under the house, plus the specific termiticide formulation that will be most effective.

Prevention Techniques
In addition to providing treatment for active infestations, your pest control expert can recommend ways to prevent future infestations through home maintenance tips and residual termiticide applications. In fact, an inspection should address any potential problem areas around your home, such as leaks, poor grading or a low-sloped roof, that can create excess moisture that allows termites to survive.

Characteristics of a Good Pest Control Company
A reputable termite extermination company will back its work with a guarantee. Because termite damage can be expensive, you likely will want to work with an established pest control company with a guarantee that will protect you in the event of further termite damage.

A good pest control company:

• is licensed,
• provides a free, on-site inspection before compiling a quote for treatment,
• offers a service guarantee and
• has an established track record for providing effective termite prevention and treatment.

Characteristics of a Good Pest Control Exterminator
A good pest control exterminator:

• is skilled at identifying termites,
• provides a detailed inspection report,
• is knowledgeable about construction and home building,
• understands local and state pest control ordinances,
• knows which pest control products are EPA-approved and
• understands EPA standards.

Common Brand Names for Sulfuryl Fluoride
The three most common brands of fumigant approved for residential termite control in the U.S. include:

• Dow AgroSciences has sold sulfuryl fluoride under the brand name Vikane® since 1961.
• Ensystex II began selling sulfuryl fluoride under the brand name Zythor in 2005.
• Target began selling Master Fume® in 2009.

Dow AgroSciences also sells ProFume®, a sulfuryl fluoride fumigant approved for use in food commodities, mills and food processing facilities.

Fumigants provide effective control for termites that are entrenched in areas of the house that cannot be reached by liquid treatments or more localized treatments. Fumigant gases disperse evenly throughout a house and penetrate wood structures to reach the crevices where termites build their nests.

After a termite inhales sulfuryl fluoride, the gas breaks down to form fluoride and sulfate. Fluoride disrupts the termite’s metabolism and causes its death. However, it may take a few days for all of the insects to die. Do not be alarmed if you see living termites up to three days after fumigation.

As a termite fumigant, sulfuryl fluoride has many benefits:

• It penetrates walls well to reach termites.
• It aerates quickly, meaning it leaves your home rapidly once the fumigation tent is removed.
• It does not damage electronics.
• It is nonflammable.
• It does not leave residue on household items. Sulfuryl fluoride dissipates completely into the air.

Sulfuryl fluoride has a few drawbacks:

• At very high temperatures, it decomposes to form a corrosive acid. Your termite expert should make sure all heat sources are turned off before fumigation.
• Sulfuryl fluoride is colorless and odorless, which means it should only be used by certified experts trained in fumigant application. While your professional will inspect the home to make sure no one is inside, he or she also likely will use chloropicrin (a tear gas) as a warning agent to double check that the treatment area is cleared of all people and pets before the treatment begins.