Termite Protection

Termites are often a silent, invisible destroyer, as termite damage can go unnoticed until the problems they cause have already become an emergency.

By enrolling in a termite protection program or plan, homeowners can prevent thousands of dollars worth of damages from occurring as a result of termite infestation.

Read on to learn about what termite protection is and whether it’s worth the investment.

What is Termite Protection?

Termite protection refers to a specific type of pest control service that extends beyond a standard pest control plan. In comparison with DIY termite bait stations that last about a year, professional termite protection methods (liquid treatment, heavy-duty bait, wood treatment) can provide homeowners with up to five years of protection.

Termite protection plans usually include regular termite inspections, protective measures to prevent infestations, and a “termite bond”.

A termite bond is an agreement that clients get into with a pest control company that assures routine termite checks and termite treatment procedures. With these bonds, the pest control company will usually cover any damage that occurs as a result of termite habitation. It’s similar to an insurance policy that protects homes and commercial buildings from termite damage.

Do Homeowners Need It?

Termite protection is usually recommended for homeowners because, with roughly 45 types of termites in the US, there are very few areas where termite damage is rare.

Most termite species thrive in moderate temperatures and moist climates, but desert and drywood termites can survive in hot, dry climates like the deserts of the Southwestern US.

These pests are a common issue across most of the country, other than Alaska, where termites are rare due to the cold weather.

Because of how prevalent termite infestations are throughout the US, termite protection is definitely worth considering. Homeowners who live in areas that are particularly prone to termite infestations can rely on termite protection plans to keep their homes structurally sound and increase the overall value of their property.

How Much Damage Can Termites Do?

To provide an accurate estimate of the damage a termite infestation can cause, it’s important to determine the size of the colony. Larger, older colonies can do more damage in a shorter length of time than newer, smaller colonies.

One termite can consume around 2% of its body weight in a single day, and a colony of around 60,000 can eat one square foot of wood in about a month. The colony in this example is quite small, as moderate colonies are at least twice this size. Large colonies can have around 2 million termites in their midst.

Usually, it can take around three years for small to moderate termite colonies to cause noticeable damage, but by then, the cost to remedy the situation is already going to be several thousand dollars.

In extreme cases, large colonies can either destroy a home completely or render it uninhabitable in as little as two years.

In any situation, it’s better to prevent damage from being done to a home rather than having to pay for repairs later. Termite protection provides homeowners with significant savings opportunities, as the cost of a plan is only a fraction of the cost needed to replace termite-damaged wood.

For peace of mind, reach out to the Critter Gitter today to schedule an inspection.