by Mandy Nolen
Termite season is back and in full swing already! Termites are extremely destructive pests and can literally eat you out of house and home. Worker termites forage continuously for food and cause about $5 billion in property damage each year. Termite damage is more common than damage caused by storms, fires and earthquakes, and the cost of termite damage is rarely covered by homeowner’s insurance. National Treasures such as the White House, US Capitol, Statue of Liberty, Independence Hall and Ellis Island are all protected from termite damage. Formosan termites completely destroyed Honolulu’s Ionian Palace’s Coronation Pavilion, which had to be rebuilt. In addition to damaging structures, termites release an estimated 176 billion pounds of greenhouse gas per year. Have I got you convinced yet that termites are destructive?
Now that you know how destructive these pests are, you are probably wondering what you can do about them. Termites can be difficult to detect, and, because they are such insatiable feeders, most homeowners do not notice them until there is a severe infestation. The best course of action is to avoid an infestation altogether by implementing a preventative treatment. There are two great treatments to prevent subterranean termites from eating your home that are both environmentally sensitive. The products are DuPont Altriset and Dow’s Sentricon Always Active. Both products have achieved reduced-risk ratings from the EPA, which means that no caution words or warnings need to be on their label. Both products are extremely targeted, meaning they only exterminate termites and will not affect any other insects or animals on your property. Neither product is toxic to your pets or family members. And most importantly, both products have proven to be extremely effective. In fact, DuPont Altriset stops termites from feeding immediately. Similar treatment options are available for drywood termites and can also be used curatively for existing infestations.
For more information on green termite solutions and preventative termite solutions, visit the Nozzle Nolen website at www.nozzlenolen.com/termite-control/termite-prevention-detection.
What sort of harm can termites cause? This can vary greatly depending on the species of termites, the size of the colony, it’s age and vigor as well as other factors, such as the availability of food sources. There are many other factors that can play a role in the speed of attack and the extent of damage. In many cases where attack is detected early, the cost of repairs is most often minimal. But the longer the infestation lasts, the greater the damage and cost of rectifying the problem, particularly if they get into the structural roofing timbers. Termites can also damage books, clothing and a wide range of other cellulose based items.