Affordable Termite Prevention

Affordable Termite Prevention at Termite Prevention Systems and Pest Control

Worker termites are small cream colored insects about the size of a grain of rice. Soldier termites are
slightly larger than the worker and can have a reddish-brown head with large jaws. These two types of
termite are often found together in wood lying on the ground or in mud tubes leading from the ground
up foundation walls to wood structures. These tubes are usually found in crawl spaces and in attached
garages.

The workers job is to gather cellulose material (wood) for the colony to eat and the soldiers protect the workers and the rest of the colony. The other type of termite most often seen by homeowners are called termite swarmers. These insects come out of the ground, up from structural foundations and sometimes even from baseboards, cracks and crevices inside structures. Termite swarmers are specialised colony members that swarm out to mate with and create new colonies with swarmers from other colonies.

Termite Damage

Termites feed on cellulose material. They can eat nearly any kind of wood but prefer soft woods like pine as well as wood derived products like paper, cardboard and fiberboard. Most houses are constructed from wood on a cement or brick foundation. Termites will create tubes up foundation walls to the wood of the structure. When they reach the wood, termites can process as much as 2 feet of wood a year.

The damage may not even be visible because termites usually leave a thin layer of wood on the outside of the lumber and chew out all of the soft wood, leaving nothing but a shell and the hard growth rings inside. Other areas subjct to termite infestation are wooden door and window frames, decks or any other wood in contact with the ground.

Treatment

For active termite infestation we usually recommend a liquid termiticide treatment be administered. For the treatment we dig a 3" trench around the building. Any concrete slab abutting a house wall has a 1/2 inch hole drilled at 1 foot intervals. The entire garage slab is drilled around it's perimeter at 1 foot interval. The crawlspace (if any) isalso trenched and hollow block foundation walls are drilled at 1 foot intervals as well. We use a liquid termiticide (Dominion 2L) for the treatment. The termiticide is injected through the soil to the footer of the building at one foot intervals. The treatment is meant to place 4 gallons of termiticide for ever 10 feet. Termiticide is injected into the drilled holes to reach the soil underneath the slabs. The drill holes and trench in the crawlspace are also treated with termiticide. All holes are then plugged. This chemical is ingested by the termite workers. It is a slow acting chemical that reacts with the enzymes in the termites gut making them unable to digest the cellulose material (wood). The infected workers carry the termiticide back to the rest of the colony including the king and queen. No more termites.

The other type of treatment is a preventative measure, termite bait monitoring. Using an auger we dig small holes 3 feet out from and at ten foot intervals around the building. We put a (Firstline) bait monitor in the hole. Each monitor consists of a plastic tube, disc and lid with a tube of wood inside. When they are inspected we pull out the pieces of wood to check for termite activity. If termites are found it is noted and then we place a new tube in the hole. This one contains termiticide that acts like that in the liquid treatment.

Is this safe for kids and pets?

We use the safest products and treatment plans possible to ensure the safety of our customers and the environment. These treatments are performed according to regulations set by the Clemson University Department of Pestice Regulation. All pesticides/termiticides are administered by licenced and bonded technicians.

Payment Methods and Arrangements

We accept Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, checks or cash. Payment arrangements are available on a case by case basis.

After the Treatment

After the treatment it takes about a month for the entire colony to be exterminated. After that the liquid will act to protect the structure from future infestations.

CL-100 Letters

CL 100 letter is a document showing that the building in question has been inspected for wood-destroying organisms by a certified specialist. We inspect all exterior walls, garage, interior walls, and crawlspace for any signs of activity. CL 100 letters are usually needed when someone is buying or selling a house through a mortgage broker. A clear termite letter is required for any home purchased with a loan in South Carolina. CL 100 letter is $85+ depending on the size of the building to be inspected.

Termite Bonds

A termite bond is like insurance against termites. Wood destroying organisms aren't covered by homeowner's insurance so people have to go through a company like TPS to get this insurance. The customer pays an annual renewal fee of $150+ depending on the size of the building. Most of our bonds are non-repair bonds. This means we agree to re-treat the building at no cost if at any time an infestation is found after the initial treatment. The other bond is a $10,000 repair bond. This one pays for any repairs needed due to termite damage up to $10,000. We inspect bait monitors quarterly and liquid treatment customers annuallyso that we can be sure that the treatments are current and effective.