Mud tubes, pellet droppings, hollow wood, and insect swarms can be real headaches. But once you discover them, you’ll want to get rid of these wood destroyers for good before they cause lasting damage. According to Michael Judas, president and owner of a pest control company, the most effective way to do that is through a transfer termiticide treatment.
Termiticides are an old method for eradicating termites. They’re injected into the soil to create a barrier around the home. Traditional termiticides relied on a repellent effect, where termites would move elsewhere after encountering the unpleasant chemicals. But a transfer termiticide treatment works differently. “It uses a slow-acting, undetectable insecticide,” Judas explains. “Exposed termites carry the treatment back to the colony, spreading it to other termites through normal behaviors. This ensures better results by exterminating the entire colony.“
Transfer termiticide treatment shows results after a month, and can remain effective for many years
The Transfer Effect allows the first termite that encounters the insecticide to survive long enough to pass it on to its friends. Even though the termiticide works right away, Judas says “it normally takes 4-5 weeks to eradicate a termite colony.” The treatment’s longevity varies based on the termite species. For subterranean termites that live in the soil, the insecticide can remain effective for 4 years or more after the colony is gone. But for drywood termites that burrow deep into wood, the treatment may only last a few months to a year.
Transfer termiticide treatment is highly effective, but may require supplementary measures or repairs
According to Judas, transfer termiticide treatment is superior to other chemical options because of its low toxicity and non-repellent formula, which means a lower rate of callbacks. The transfer effect also targets the entire nest, not just individual termites. It can even be used as a preventative measure for subterranean termites. However, this treatment does require some home alterations, like drilling holes around the perimeter to inject the insecticide. These holes will need to be patched up afterwards.
For drywood termites, transfer termiticide treatment is less effective. It can only treat localized areas of infestation, not an entire home. In extensive drywood termite cases, fumigation is also needed to fully eliminate the colony.
