Exact Answer: Around 5 years
Termites have the potential to cause irreparable damages to our homes by feeding on furniture and important documents. They not only feed on wood and paper but also on living trees, swimming pool and buildings. Hence, it is essential to check the growth of the colony of termites.
It is essential to be able to identify a termite. A termite possesses a straight antenna, a uniformly thickened waist and uniformly sized wings, unlike an ant that possesses constricted waist, longer forewings and shorter hind wings.
Termite damage is hard to predict because the outer surface remains intact. Hence, close observation by professionals can only help in detecting termites.
Termite treatment is necessary if termites are detected and it is best to do this at the earliest. There are various ways of termite treatment, each with its own timespan and effectiveness.
How Long Does Termite Treatment Last?
| Method Used | Time Taken |
| Liquid Soil Treatment | 5 years |
| Baiting Stations | 8 to 12 months |
| DIY | Few days |
| Termidor HPII | 3 months |
There are 4 types of termite treatment. The first one being liquid soil treatment, followed by baiting stations, DIY method and Termidor HPII. All three types of treatment have different timespan.
The first one, liquid soil treatment is one of the oldest and most effective methods of termite treatment. In this type of treatment, one needs to consult a professional who would apply an insecticide along the walls of the house.
This liquid insecticide sinks into the ground, creating an odourless barrier around the house. This method of treatment requires a minimum of 5 years.
The second one involves installing the baiting stations in the ground. In this method, the bait containing termite food (cellulose, paper and cardboard) and a slow-release chemical is implanted in the ground at a distance of three metres.
This process is effective but it takes a significantly longer time to see results. This method of treatment requires around 8 to 12 months.
The third method, the DIY method, involves implementing the above methods at home. This method is relatively easy due to the requirement of minimum equipment and easy- to – follow expert guides.
One can also control termites by the physical termite barrier technique, which keep termites away from home. Although these barriers can last for up to 20 years, they are less effective in comparison to the chemical barrier. It should be used as a prevention.
Termidor HPII is a termiticide used for continuous and highly infested zones. This method can be easily done in three months. This is the most effective due to the requirement of less maintenance, low retreat rate. It is even cheap.
One can also use termite sprays outside the house and even in the interiors to kill the termites. They show results faster than baits within one or two days. However, it is not recommended in cases of severe infestations.
Why Does Termite Treatment Last So Long?
The average duration of termite treatment depends on the type of termite, the degree of infestation and the home environment. While some termites can be eradicated in a short time, some take a longer duration.
The degree of infestation is also a determining factor of the duration of treatment. If the termite colony is larger, the treatment requires to be long term.
The termite professional should also be able to reach all the wooden components of the house to shorten the duration of treatment.
The effectiveness of these treatments lasts from few months to around 10 years. While the bait stations technique should be done once in few months, methods like liquid soil treatment should be done once in 5 years. On the other hand, Termidor HPII can be done once in 10years.
The expected lifetime of any treatment depends on the treatment type used, chemicals and materials used, and the person who performs the process. Hence, it varies from place to place and from person to person.
Conclusion
The termite treatment is most effective when it is carried out by experts or professionals. It is quite difficult to implement these steps accurately and precisely.
There are various types of termite treatment. Each varies according to its effectiveness and the time was taken to complete the process. One should choose the treatment according to the degree of infestation. It is even recommended that the treatment should be chosen wisely.
Within a few months of treatment, termites start dying off. However, even after the complete eradication of these pests, regular inspections should be done to prevent their recolonisation. Hence, routine checks are mandatory.