How long does the Termidor application stay in the ground? It kills termites that are present but does it also prevent them or do I need to apply something else? Thanks.
Termidor is still being tested and monitored but when used at label rates, it has proven to be 100% effective 7+ years. In other words, when applied properly at labeled rates, you shouldn't have to do another application for many years to come. My guess is you can expect to get at least 10 years of residual in areas around the outside foundation perimeter of the home. Inside treatments that are protected could last longer. This would include locations like crawl spaces or under a slab. So to answer your question, a job done properly using Termidor as explained in our TERMITE CONTROL ARTICLE should yield excellent results and prove to be all that is needed to both control the current termite problem as well as protect the structure for several years after the application. If you have further questions or concerns, please give us a call on our toll free at 1-800-877-7290.
Filed under residual by on Jan 3rd, 2010. Comment. 
We have a post-and-rail fence dividing our backyard garden from the lawn (total of 8 posts). Termites have invaded the posts and even the rails. What would be the most efficient way to kill these pests?
B.J.
Termites will readily attack wood or other cellulose material which is both vulnerable and readily available. Fence posts buried in the ground are generally prime targets and should always be treated prior to installation or else termites will surely find them at some point in time. It sounds like that time has arrived for your fence but that doesn't mean the fencing is all bad; just because you see termites it doesn't mean there is significant damage. A good treatment when termites are first detected can many times keep them away for good and save the targeted wood from being replaced.
Ideally the soil should be treated prior to the fence poles being installed. If they're already in the ground, you can usually treat them by removing some dirt around the base of the pole and loosening up the soil enough so a good liquid treatment will soak down to where the termites are gaining access. This means a good soil drenching will be required. Most labels like that on CYPER TC TERMITE CONCENTRATE will list 1.5 gallons of mixed product per foot of pole buried. So if the poles are 4 feet down, you'll need to use 6 gallons of mixed product to get a good treatment in place.
For more information on how to treat around the home or other structures, refer to our TERMITE CONTROL ARTICLE which covers most of what you'll need to know about this destructive pest. If you have more questions about termites, please give us a call on our toll free 1-800-877-7290 and one of our tech reps will be able to further assist.
Filed under infestation by on Nov 30th, 2009. Comment.
We get a lot of inquiries from customers who are wondering when they should change out the Inspection Cartridge located inside their Advance Termite Bait Station. As explained in our termite control article, you should inspect them every 45-60 days. Upon inspection, you should find them to be in one of three conditions: 1) No activity and in pretty good shape. 2) Damage and rot but no insects. 3) Live termite or other insect activity.
The following video walks you through the process of inspection and should help educate you as to when you should change one or leave it be.
Filed under live by on Oct 14th, 2009. Comment.
I have read your website but am not totally sure what I need to treat my house for drywood termites.
The areas of infestation are wood beams approximately 1 foot thick and 10 feet long, they're in the walls in a few places.
I'd like to speak with someone before I place my order to as this is first time I've tried to do it myself.
I think I'd need 1 jug of Termidor and some foamicide. I have an electric drill and awesome I will have to buy a long very narrow drill bit to drill holes in the wood beams to fill them up with foamicide.
Drywood termite treatment needs to be done at key locations. Typically this is where they are nesting. It sounds like you know at least one of these locations and with the right tools, you should be able to get the nest directly. Access holes will be needed and if you can flood the area with TERMIDOR by using our LIQUID FOAMER, you should be able to get the product where it most needs to be.
Please give us a call at 1.800.877.7290 this Monday and ask for Mike or Chad. I'm sure they'll be able to further assist and enable you to do this job yourself. Taking the the time to learn just what you need to use and where to apply it will enable you to do the job right. I'm sure we can assist you in accomplishing this goal.
Filed under drywood termites by on Jul 11th, 2009. Comment.
What do you have for termites that the average homeowner can use and do on their own?
We've got several options all listed on our main page. I suggest you start by checking out this article at:
http://www.termites-swarming.com/termite-control
In this termite control article you'll be able to link to all the products by clicking on them where they appear underlined in the text of the article. That link will show you more product information including how to use the item, it's cost and other packaging sizes available. Currently we offer the old traditional liquids, the baiting systems as well as the newest products like TERMIDOR. Most homeowners are able to do their own job effectively and by doing so are able to save a lot of money. I'm sure we can further assist if you still have questions. Just give us a call on our toll free at 1.800.877.7290 if you do.
Filed under homeowner by on Jun 28th, 2009. Comment.
I'm seeing winged ants or termites swarming around an old dead tree stump. This stump is around 20 feet from my house and I haven't seen any in the house but I'm worried. Do I need to treat the stump and what amout my house?
First, it is always best to know if they are ants or termites swarming from the tree stump. We have a lot of details on how you can tell the difference in our Termite Control Article.
Second, if the house hasn't been treated in the past 5 years, it's always wise to get it protected whether those are ants or termites swarming. A good treatment is the best way to keep them out and if you haven't had one done recently, either hire a service to do some work or get some of the Termidor and do the job yourself.
Lastly, leaving the termites or ants to feed on the old stump may be prudent. Some people believe that letting them eat something old and not important is Ok. This way they aren't looking for another food supply which could lead them to your home. We tend to agree with this philosophy but we also believe it's best to take a proactive stance and get the home treated too.
Filed under winged by on Apr 17th, 2009. Comment.
I've got termites in a live tree and I don't want them killing it. Is there anything I can do that won't hurt the tree but get rid of the termites safely?
You can safely treat around the tree and in the exposed galleries to knock out the termites and save the tree. In fact, you will be doing the tree a big favor. Termites will readily take advantage of trees which have been weakened or under stress and can live just under their bark causing damage. Some trees seem to be immune to this behavior and in some regions there are plenty of dead trees to keep local termites satisfied but in some areas, live trees are readily infested and die much sooner than normal.
The easiest thing to do is get some of the Termidor featured in our Termite Control article and spray it over all the exposed bark where you either see termite mud tubes, galleries or damage. You can also spray or pour some around the tree base and let it seep into the soil. This will stop the infestation as explained in the article.
Filed under in by on Apr 12th, 2009. Comment.
I heard you can use motor oil to treat for termites. If I place used motor oil around my house will it help keep termites away? Any idea what the rate might be and if this treatment will actually work?
Besides breaking the law (you're not allowed to pour waste oil into the ground) there is no evidence to suggest such a treatment would work. It's true that there have been some cases where wood has been treated with motor oil which proved to prevent termites from eating it once treated. But chemically treating the ground (dirt) is a lot different than treating wood. It would take a lot of oil to treat the ground and the consequences would be devasting to the environment around the house. I strongly suggest you do not attempt such a treatment. The good news is that the proper products designed for this application are now reasonably priced and quite effective. I suggest you review our Termite Treatment article for more details where you will learn what chemical options you now have that are effective.
Filed under termite by on Apr 12th, 2009. Comment.
I've had some termites swarming in my house and I want to know if I can do a treatment myself. I see your article covers a lot of stuff but will it work and can I actually do the work?
Our termite control article does cover a lot of information. But that's mostly because termite control can be tricky – especially to someone that hasn't done anything like this before. The good news is that with the products available today, you can do a good treatment with the right equipment and advice.
First, I suggest you review our article in close detail so you can determine if it's something you are willing to try. If you think you're willing to spend a few hours it will definitely save you a bunch of money. Most of our customers walk away very satisfied with the results once they learn how much getting it done professionally was going to cost compared to the amount of work they had to do. And if you have any questions along the way, we're just a phone call away at 1.800.877.7290. Our technical reps will be able to walk you through whatever is required for your home and between our telephone assistance and our web site, you should be able to tackle most any pest related problem including termites.
Filed under in by on Apr 5th, 2009. Comment.
I've been having termites swarming for the past few days and I'm wondering what the best way is to kill them?
How to kill termites swarming is easy. The first thing to do is identify where they're coming up. Next, keep a vacuum close by and just suck them up as they emerge from their tubes. If they're coming out of a wall or some piece of wood, use the Baygon Aerosol in these voids which will provide longer control. But even that won't be a complete job. To stop them properly, you'll need to have a termite job done as explained in our termite control article or else risk extensive damage to the home.
Filed under how by on Apr 5th, 2009. Comment.
I've got an unfinished basement with cinder block walls. I can see mud coming out of some cracks and there are white insects sticking their heads out of this mud. I think they're termites. How can I treat this area? Do I have to drill holes?
Termites do nothing but forage around looking for food and they typically do this under ground. Foundation walls which can run deep into the ground will many times cross paths with these foraging termites. Solid poured concrete walls won't let them enter but cinder block foundations are subject to cracks which can let them get inside. The good news is that if the wall is accessible from your unfinished basement, you can drill some holes through which you can pump some termiticide as explained in our termite control article.
Once you've got access holes, treat with Termidor and use the Foaming Tool to get the best coverage. And treat as much of the home as you can since once termites find a house, it's likely they'll enter at another location if the house isn't properly and thoroughly protected.
Filed under in by on Apr 5th, 2009. Comment.
I've got flying termites swarming in my house and they won't stop. Everyday we have hundreds of them flying around the house and I want to kill them all!! What can I use to treat them?
Treating flying termites is pretty easy. As explained in our termite control article, flying termite swarmers aren't strong and they don't live long. Use our Baygon Aerosol to treat them. It's fast working and easy to use.
In the wild, most all of the flying termites sent out to swarm will die. In the home, the easiest thing to do is to vacuum up all you find. But while they're active, you should try to learn where they are coming from. Is it a wall or crack in the floor where they are emerging? This will be important when it comes time to treat. If you identify termite tubes where they are coming from, getting the home treated as explained in our termite control article will be important so the home doesn't get bad termite damage. When this treatment is done, above soil treatments can be accomplished with some Baygon Aerosol which is good to use anywhere the termites are emerging. This is a good product to use on flying termites as it will kill them quickly and stop the relentless swarms.
Filed under flying by on Apr 5th, 2009. Comment.
Do you have any termites swarming pictures or video I can look at to see if that's what coming up in my kitchen?
We have a good termites swarming video which shows them in good detail. Our termite control article also provides the key identifying characteristics you can use to determine just what you have in your kitchen.
Filed under swarming, termites by on Apr 3rd, 2009. Comment.
I've got some swarming bugs in the bathroom by the sink. I think they might be ants but I'm afraid they could be termites. how can I tell the difference?
Swarming termites will tend to drop their wings and walk around in pairs after awhile. Also, they have bodies which are mostly long and two segmented. Ants have bodies which will have three distinct body parts and they won't drop their wings. Additonally, ants will have antennae that are elbowed whereas the termite antennae will be long and straight. We have more details in our termite control article but if you're unsure, send us a sample and we'll let you know.
Filed under wings by on Mar 31st, 2009. Comment.
I think I have termites swarming in my garage. I'm seeing bugs coming up around the door frame and they have wings. After awhile they start walking around the floor and some of them don't have wings anymore. I read your article about termite identification and I'm sure these are termites. Should I call a service company or do the work myself?
First, it sounds like you do indeed have termites. As our termite control article explains, they will release swarmers which will eventually drop their wings and try to find a mate so they can start a new colony. Based on what you're describing, it sounds like you've got some activity for sure.
Second, it would be wise to either hire a service company to treat the home or do it yourself. Termite treating is about as easy as it can be with products like Termidor but it still must be done right. With the right materials and equipment, I'm sure you'll be able to solve the problem so the real question is whether you're prepared to do the work that's required. Treating slabs and the exterior can take some time and effort but if you're willing to put out the effort, I'm sure we can guide you through the process. You will be able to save a lot of expense by doing it yourself so I suggest you give us a call on our toll free to discuss this option further.
Filed under swarming by on Mar 29th, 2009. Comment.
