How Long Does Termite Treatment Last? An Extermination Timeline

Termites are among the most destructive pests that homeowners and businesses can encounter. Every year, termites are responsible for some $5 billion in property damage across the United States alone. Along with the destruction termites can cause, their presence in a building can contribute to allergic reactions.

How? As termites burrow through wood, drywall, and other materials, they accelerate the spreading of mold spores in the environment.

Without the help of a pest control expert, contending with these termite colonies can be a frustrating and time-consuming experience. Read on to learn more about common signs of termites, what’s involved in the extermination process, and how long termite treatments last.

Common Extermination Timeline

People who suspect they have a termite problem often ask ‘how long does termite treatment last? ‘ The answer to this question depends on a few factors, including the extent of the infestation, the type of termite, and how quickly you call an exterminator for help.

Here is the typical sequence of events when it comes to termite extermination. 

Discover Evidence of Termites

First, you’ll want to confirm that there is an active termite problem. Since termites prefer dark and moist environments, their presence isn’t always immediately obvious.

It’s critical to try and recognize the early warning signs of termites to mitigate the damage these pests can do. Given time, termites begin to undermine the integrity of struts, rafters, and other critical parts of your property’s infrastructure that can be quite expensive to repair.

Signs of Termite Infestation

One of the most common indications of a termite infestation is finding mud tubes in or around the premises. Mud tubes are essentially tunnels that termites build to travel from one area to another, and they’re usually pretty easy to spot. Look for these mud tubes leading into the structure near the foundation, and be sure to check basements, closets, or other dark areas. 

Aside from mud tubes, there are several other signs of a termite infestation to look for, including:

• Discarded termite or ‘swarmer’ wings
• Termite droppings, also called ‘frass’
• Damage to paint, wood, or wallpaper
• Doors or windows become difficult to open

In addition to these visual signs of termites, you may notice more subtle indications of an infestation. Pay attention to squeaking floorboards or sections of walls that sound hollow. When the entire colony is active in an area, you may also notice the faint odor of mold or mildew.

Call the Professionals

After discovering signs of termites, it’s time to contact local pest control professionals for help. Give them a summary of the problems you’re experiencing and schedule a convenient time as quickly as possible for them to inspect the property.

Upon arrival, the pest control technicians will be able to determine the severity of the infestation and the best way to remedy the issue.

Treatment and Termite Extermination 

Professionals will need to walk through your home or business to determine the best course of termite treatment.

Pest control experts have many different tools at their disposal for termite colony extermination, and the approach they choose will depend on where the termites are located.

Types of Treatment 

Using foam or liquid termite treatments, experienced pest control technicians can often stop an active termite infestation within a day or two. Foam termite treatment is often used to fill voids in the walls where termites are known to frequent, while liquid treatments may be applied around a home’s foundation to discourage termites from gaining entry.

For smaller termite infestations, pest control professionals may not need a foam or liquid termite treatment, instead they may choose to use dry termiticide by itself or in combination with other treatment methods. 

Additional termite control methods include:

• Termite bait treatment, known as bait stations
• Physical termite barriers, such as metal flashing 
• Fumigation

Annual Termite Inspections 

Wondering how long does termite treatment last? Termite treatment lasts only a few years, and if termites are highly active in your area, it’s possible these pests could return in a year. The best way to prevent this from happening is to schedule annual inspections with a pest control professional.

These inspections will guarantee that a pest control service can address an infestation before these pests establish themselves on your property again. 

Termite Extermination with Budget Brothers 

With over 25 years of experience serving clients throughout the Phoenix Valley, our team at Budget Brothers is a professional termite control company dedicated to providing top-tier pest control services at competitive prices.

We offer fast, same-day service and will beat any other estimate you receive for termite extermination services.

When you’re ready to take action against your termite problem, contact us at Budget Brothers to get started today.