Growing up, I lived in a sprawling farmhouse in the country. This beautiful home was constantly filled with the sounds of laughter and the smells of delectable food being prepared in the kitchen. Unfortunately, our home was often invaded by some unwanted guests, ants. Pesky ants would welcome themselves into our living room, kitchen, dining room, bedrooms, and bathrooms. One night, I crawled into my bed only to discover I wasn’t alone. Ants had somehow climbed onto my bed! These destructive ants even ate holes in some of the clothing hanging in my closet. Is your home filled with unwanted, biting ants? On this blog, you will discover the latest methods pest control specialists use to rid homes of pesky ants.
Those Pesky Ants
Bait Or Barrier – Which Is Right For Your Termite Problem?
Logan Watson
If you're dealing with a termite problem in your home, most pest control experts will offer two potential solutions: baits and barriers. These options take fairly different approaches to solve the problem, and acute infestations may sometimes necessitate using both. Understanding how baits and barriers work can help you work with your pest control expert to decide on the best solution for your home.
Barriers Explained
Despite the name, barrier methods to termite control don't typically involve physical barriers. While some options are available for physically excluding termites from a property, it's usually necessary to take these steps during construction. Instead, barrier control refers to the usage of chemicals that act as the first line of defense in the soil around your home.
There are many different chemical barrier types and brands, but they're generally relatively similar in application and effect. To install a chemical barrier, a pest control expert will dig a trench around the perimeter of your home and treat the soil with a liquid pesticide product. This product remains in the soil, forming an invisible protective barrier around your home.
Chemical termite barriers are generally safe for humans, pets, and other animals, although they may not be suitable for areas where they can leach into groundwater or wells. The goal of a chemical barrier is to prevent termites living on your property from entering your home. Termites inside a home will periodically return to the outside soil, so these barriers also tend to kill active infestations.
Baits Explained
If you've used ant baits before, then termite baits function similarly. However, unlike ant baits, termite baits aren't simple stations you install around your home. Instead, a pest control expert will install these stations by drilling down into the ground. This extra step is necessary so termites will encounter the bait as they tunnel through your property.
Two common misconceptions about bait stations are that they attract termites or trap termites. In reality, these stations will not pull in termites from the surrounding area and won't trap them once they're inside. Instead, the stations rely on termites encountering them during normal foraging behavior. Once inside, they carry the poisoned bait back to their colony, where it can do more damage.
Which Option Is Right For Your Home?
Both baits and chemical barriers can effectively deal with a termite infestation and help protect your home over the long run. The best option for you will depend on your infestation, the type of home you live in, and any extenuating factors such as the presence of nearby wells. In some cases, you may want to use a chemical barrier to repel termites combined with baits to deal with an acute infestation.
Whichever option you prefer, you should always consult with an experienced and qualified termite extermination expert before making your choice. An expert can help you evaluate the severity of your situation and explain why one method may provide more effective elimination and long-term control.
Contact a termite pest control service to learn more.
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