How Long Does Termite Treatment Last?

Termites are pests that feast on timber structures, meaning they pose a real risk to the structural integrity of your house if not detected early enough, and can result in large financial losses for you. Luckily, there are many treatments to help get rid of termites and prevent them from coming back, but how long do these treatments last? In this article, we run down the top termite treatments and how long you can expect them to keep pests away. 

Fumigation is usually the final option for a severe termite infestation, which involves pumping gas into the affected wood for around three days. The gas kills termites and gets rid of the eggs, so this is an effective and relatively quick technique for making sure that a particular colony does not return.
 
However, if there is a termite problem in your area, you may find you have another termite infestation in just a matter of weeks if you don't take the correct precautions. So, fumigation is an effective method of getting rid of the existing issue quickly, but in terms of making sure the extermination is long-lasting, other methods have to be considered.

Applying chemical barriers around your home is one such method. Chemicals designed to eliminate termites are applied to the soil surrounding the property, but they do not kill them straight away. Chemical barriers are slow-acting, allowing the termites to spread the chemicals to the rest of the colony, increasing the chances of them all being exterminated. This method tends to last for five years on average, assuming there are no gaps in the chemical barriers. It can last even longer depending on what chemicals are used, the soil conditions and how big the termite population of the area is. 

Termiticides can be applied to soil but they're more commonly injected into the wood itself, either during construction or after a termite problem has risen. Because termiticides kill the termites before they can do much damage to the wood, this is an effective method that can last for decades, depending on how it's applied and what type of termiticide is used.

This method involves planting bait for the termites that contain slow-acting pesticides, in a similar way to chemical barriers, meaning that it's spread throughout the colony. These need to be maintained all year round to ensure effectiveness, so without proper upkeep, this method is unlikely to last for longer than a year. With regular maintenance checks, however, this is a fantastic long-term method as it gradually reduces and eventually eliminates the entire termite population of the area.
 
If you're experiencing a termite problem in Toowoomba, Highfields and the Darling Downs region, contact the Keiran Mortimer Pest Control team today. We are on call 24/7 to deal with infestations and can identify and apply the most effective method for you.