I have termites, what should I do?

Assuming that you have had regular inspections and that you have also been doing your own inspections this may likely be a new colony. This is the best time to set an appointment with a pest control company. Catch the infestation early and eliminate it quickly, this is how you save thousands of dollars in repair expenses.

If this seems to be a new infestation you should thoroughly inspect your property to see if there are other colonies in tree stumps, fence post, fire woodpiles. Be very thorough and ask the pest control company that set an appointment with to check as well. If you live in a neighborhood you might wish to speak with your neighbors and warn them that there may be more termite colonies.

The idea is to prevent any outside colony from spreading into your home, other buildings or into the properties of your neighbors. If all nearby termite colonies are not discovered then you may find your home and other buildings infested again in the near future.

Unless you are willing to do significant research to know how to completely rid yourself of this pest you are better off having a licensed professional do it for you. They take classes and pass exams to be licensed and will be able to address concerns such as child and pet safety with their services. They can answer questions you might have and we recommend writing down questions before they come.

Be careful about choosing a pest or termite control company. There is an entire science to dealing with termites. You want some one who has learned about their behavior, how they enter a home and how they spread. Beyond knowing about termites a licensed pest control company should also have specific knowledge about buildings, construction and other skills that allows them to be thorough in their removal efforts.

If you have discovered an infestation that has been there for more than a year or two then you have additional concerns. The damage may be serious enough that you will need to hire a contractor to repair it. You can get a general idea buy poking a sharp tool into areas that are or have been damaged. If your tool sinks into the wood easily and goes very deep then it is likely that you will need to have repairs.

Damages from termites cause billions of dollars in property damages every year. What is worse is that they destroy parts of a building that is required to support weight. Areas of special concern include the framing for load bearing walls and support boards in floors. While termites are usually found closer to the ground it is possible that a termite colony can cause damages that undermine the supporting wood for your roof.

Some homeowners insurance may cover the cost of repair termite damages and the cost of eliminating the pest. You should contact your representative or check the terms or your policy to see if this is included in your insurance coverage.

Termite FAQ from UoK
A lot of good and factual information from the University of Kentucky.

Termite Treatment Options
From the Virginia Cooperative Extension a well organized group of web pages detailing termite control and prevention.