Best practices to identify and treat termites

Matt Remmen

When it comes to treating termites, it’s important to take a step back. A customer who calls about an infestation typically will have seen damaged wood on a specific structure. Before diving into identification and treatment on that structure, consider a few best practices:

• Look at all of the wood structures on the property. A customer might only see damage on one structure, but you should inspect all of the wood on the property in places like trees, fences, sheds and decks. There are plenty of pests that damage
  wood, so it’s important to give the property a comprehensive inspection.
• Ask about recent relocation and travel. Relocation and travel are popular right now. If the customer or a neighbor recently moved or traveled with furniture, personal items, or even a boat from places like Florida and California, it’s possible they brought drywood termites with them, for example. Knowing this can help make the identification phase easier.
• Pay attention to the building construction. When left unchecked, WDO can render buildings unsafe. The structure may require more than treatment, and that work may include detailed repairs to make the structure habitable.
• Ask for help. Between inspection, identification, product selection and application, there’s a lot that goes into treating termites. Make sure to reach out to a distributor, university entomologist or other expert as needed for help throughout the process.