Termite Control In Northern Virginia, Maryland & Washington DC

Annual Termite Control Services In DC, MD & Northern VA

Miche Pest Control provides termite control services in Washington DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. We get rid of termites fast by combining termite bait stations with direct treatment of areas with termite damage and live termites, providing fast relief from termite infestations as well as lasting protection from existing and future termite populations. Included in your first termite control service from Miche Pest Control:

• Spot Treatment Of Areas With Termite Damage
• Spot Treatment Of Areas With Live Termites
• Installation Of Termite Bait Stations For Lasting Protection

This service plan provides year round protection from subterranean termites. We use products that are registered with the EPA, and labeled for use around homes, hospitals, day cares, and pet kennels. The first service is designed to get rid of an existing termite infestation, and immediately starts working to keep termites from coming back after they've been eliminated. The bait stations are loaded with enough bait to last a year - that's why we do at least one service per year, and more if you need. If you're having issues with termites in between regular services, just let us know and we'll go back out in between services at no extra cost.

Subterranean Termite Control In DC, MD & Northern VA

By far, the most common species of termite found in Washington DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia is the eastern subterranean termite. Subterranean termites live in underground colonies, and build tunnels (mud tubes) to protect themselves while they search for food. Termites feed exclusively on wood and other cellulose materials. Their mud shelter tubes are often constructed in areas such as crawlspaces, masonry voids, and even directly into wood that is in direct contact with soil. Often, termites and termite damage go unnoticed for long periods of time because these areas are typically hidden and often difficult or even impossible to inspect. Because termites can infest a structure before ever becoming visible, proactively protecting your home or business is critical in minimizing the damage that termites can cause. Termites cause approximately $5 billion dollars in property damage per year in the US, and according to the US Forestry Service, Washington, Maryland and Virginia are all in the Moderate to Heavy Zone for termite infestation risk. Our direct treatments of areas with termite damage and live termites combined with the installation of termite bait stations provides fast relief as well as long term protection from termite infestations.

Annual Termite Protection With Advance Termite Bait Stations

With its chitin-synthesis-inhibiting active ingredient, Trelona (used in Advance Termite Bait Stations) doesn't just reduce the number of termites - it achieves ongoing structural protection through termite colony elimination. In the testing data submitted to the EPA, control of subterranean termites was observed during the annual inspection at 100% of the homes treated using the Trelona ATBS system. In a separate study, termite activity ceased after approximately 4 months.

Why Use Bait Stations Instead Of Liquid Termiticide?

There are a number of advantages that using bait stations to control termites have over using liquid termiticides. Some of the reasons we use bait stations instead of a liquid treatment are listed below: Termite bait stations are more environmentally friendly, since they don’t require hundreds of gallons of termiticide to be pumped into the ground. Bait stations take advantage of termites’ biology for control, providing protection without requiring invasive drilling, trenching, and more. Liquid termiticides degrade over time; the only indication that a liquid treatment has broken down or worn out is the presence of termites. Bait stations are easily monitored, and in cases of unusually high activity, it is easy to add another station to supplement the treatment when needed.

Termite Control With The Trelona® Advance® Termite Baiting System

We use BASF’s Trelona® Advance® Termite Baiting System to eliminate termite infestations and work proactively against subterranean termites. Advance® Termite Bait Stations are placed in the ground around the foundation. They are low profile and designed to minimize tampering by children and/or pets. We install stations near active termites and termite damage, then install stations around the perimeter of the home to provide ongoing, proactive termite protection. To supplement the standalone Trelona® Advance® Termite Baiting System, we also use a termiticide foam in the areas with termite damage and/or active termites to speed up the control process.

Are Advance Termite Bait Stations Better Than Sentricon Stations?

Advance Termite Bait Stations feature a larger size and unique vertical slots in a superior design that leads to faster termite hits. In a university study, termites found Trelona ATBS Annual Bait Stations faster than Sentricon stations. 50% of the the Advance Termite Bait Stations were found within 8 days, with 85% being found within 33 days, while it took 46 days for the termites to find 50% of the Sentricon stations. The remaining 50% of the Sentricon stations were never found during the course of the study. Advance Termite Bait Stations are larger, and as such, contain more bait. When "hit" by termites, they are more effective at delivering enough bait to provide control of the termite colony.

How Many Homes Are Damaged By Termites Each Year?

While there is no single United States government agency or independent organization that compiles and tracks termite data and damage, data reported to state agriculture agencies and academic experts indicates approximately 600,000 homes in the United States are damaged by termites each year. The cost to repair termite damage varies, depending on the amount and location of the damage, as well as the construction of the home and the accessibility of the damage.

How Much Damage Do Termites Cause In DC, MD & Northern VA?

Residents of the United States spend an estimated $5 billion per year to control termites and repair their damage. While some infestations are discovered quickly and may not need any repairs, sometimes (rarely) homes may require demolition because the termite damage is so widespread and catastrophic. On average, a homeowner who discovers termite damage will spend $3,000 on repairs; this is typically specifically excluded from coverage by homeowners’ insurance policies.

Home Termite Control

A home is the average homeowner’s largest investment. Subterranean termites live in nests underground, but they can enter buildings through gaps and cracks less than 1/16th of an inch wide. Once inside, they create mud tubes allowing them to remain out of sight, sheltering them as they move between their colony and their food source: the wood within the walls of the home. Due to their secretive nature, termites can remain undetected until their damage becomes extensive. To get rid of termites and protect your home, we recommend our Annual Termite Control plan.

Termite Reduction Tips For Your Home (Or Business) In DC, MD Or VA

• Dispose of unnecessary cellulose materials around the home, especially in crawl spaces.
• Replace landscaping mulch with cellulose-free alternatives.
• Alternatively, maintaining a 6-inch gap between your mulch and the foundation may reduce the possibility of termite intrusion.
• Keep siding (especially wooden siding) at least six inches above the ground.
• Ensure proper water drainage in and around your home.
• Minimize moisture issues in basements and crawl spaces.
• Prevent standing water from building up around the home.
• Make sure gutters are functioning properly.
• Inspect for & fix leaky plumbing and/or air conditioning condensation lines.
• Seal gaps around utility lines such as water, sewer, natural gas, and electrical lines to limit the opportunity for termites to enter your home (or business).
• Ensure there is no earth & wood contact - whenever there is wood in direct contact with the soil, there is an opportunity for an unseen termite infestation.

You can also check out our collection of blog posts on termites and how to identify them:

• All About Termite Removal
• What Do Termites Look Like?
• What Is The Difference Between Ants And Termites?

Protect Your Home Or Business From Termites With The Help Of Miche Pest Control!

Whether you’re looking for termite control for your home or business, Miche Pest Control can help. Serving the Washington metropolitan area, we provide the best possible termite control. As a family owned and operated business, we would love the chance to earn your trust, not just for today, but for the years to come. With a thorough service, guaranteed results, and our dedication to customer service waiting for you, we look forward to your call.