Termites can cause significant damage to homes and property. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, homeowners spend over $2 billion to remove termites and repair the structural damage they cause.

If you do need a termite treatment, they last for several years. Once you detect any signs of a termite infestation, it is important to act immediately. Fast action reduces the damage and other problems that come with these pests.

Termite Treatments 101

Termite treatments involve lengthy applications. The only way to know if termites are gone for good is to work with an exterminator’s help.

Heat Extermination Treatment

This treatment does not involve using chemicals. Instead, it uses heat at high degrees to kill termites. Exterminators need to seal up the entire home to ensure it reaches the correct temperature.

Pros

No chemicals involved in the treatment
No chemical residue left in your home

Cons

Treatment does not last long
Best for attic treatments only
Heat can damage furnishing and finishes

Fumigation

Fumigation relies on a chemical-laden gas to kill termites in one fell swoop. Exterminators enclose your entire property in a large, sealed tent. Then they release the gas into your home. The gas seeps into the wood and crevices where the termites live.

Once finished, the exterminators vent the tent so that all surface residue from the gas leaves your home.

Pros

Kills termites throughout your home
Gas vents leave no residue

Cons

Treatment does not last long
Homeowners have a lengthy preparation to protect plants and furnishings
Treatment can take up to a week
Homeowners must vacate their homes during the fumigation process

Liquid Termite Treatments

This type of treatment involves exterminators digging a small trench around the perimeter of your home. Then, they place a chemical barrier in the soil using gallons of pesticide solution. Some exterminators will drill into the foundation to maintain barrier continuity.

Pros

Effectively kills termites at the lowest level of the home
Treatment lasts up to five years
Homeowners can stay in their homes during treatment

Cons

Uses many pesticides
May damage the environment around your home
Exterminators might drill into your home’s foundation to keep the barrier unbroken

Termite Bait Stations

Exterminators use bait stations outside to kill subterranean termite nests. They also install above-ground baits to kill termites in your home.

When termites return to the nest, they have insecticide residue on their bodies and legs. They then spread it to the rest of the colony. Within three months of treatment, the termiticide should kill the entire colony.

Pros

Kills termites in their nests
Uses minimal insecticide
Homeowners do not have to leave their homes
The system works for about a year

Cons

Works best in conjunction with another extermination system
Requires annual maintenance
Termites can move their nests

Factors Affecting How Long Termite Treatment Lasts

The lasting quality of termite treatments depends on several factors.

Termite Type

Two types of termites create problems for homeowners in the United States. Most termites look the same, with white and brown bodies. They are all about ¼-inches long, and the workers generally do not have wings.

Drywood Termites

Drywood termites burrow deeply into dry wood inside of homes. The first signs of dry wood termites include shed wings and dead swarmers, along with their fecal matter.

Subterranean Termites

Subterranean termites build underground tunnels and mud tubes at ground level when they emerge to eat wood. The first sign of an infestation in your home will be mud tubes, usually in your basement or ground-level floors.

Level of Infestation

The number of termites living in and around your home can affect the length of termite treatments.

Home Structure

Your home’s structural materials can also affect the length of the treatment. If your home is mostly wood, termites have more opportunities to hide. Homes with more concrete and steel are easier to treat, as they have fewer areas for termites to nest.