By Sharon Omahen
University of Georgia

You can try and control the insects inside and around your
house yourself. But leave the termites to the professionals,
says a University of Georgia expert.

“There are a few pests you can’t really tackle yourself. I
could walk you through ant, flea and cockroach control, but not
termite control. You can’t tackle them yourself,” said Dan
Suiter, an entomologist with the UGA College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences.

Equipment essential

Effective termite control involves product selection, chemical
formulations and, most importantly, proper equipment, he said.

“Even if you could get the right chemicals, you’d need the
right equipment,” Suiter said. “And you can’t even rent it.”

Suiter coordinates pest control operator trainings at the
Georgia Structural Pest Control Training Facility in Griffin,
Ga.

Many homeowners try do-it-yourself termite treatments after
getting “sticker shock” from a professional’s quoted price.

False security

“They purchase over-the-counter chemicals, spend a Saturday
applying them and then feel pretty good about the job they’ve
done,” Suiter said. “The problem is they now have a false sense
of security. Think of what’s at stake. Your home is the biggest
investment you have.”

Termite treatments typically cost several hundred to $1,000,
depending on the severity of the infestation, he said. It
typically takes several hundred gallons of pesticide at a cost
of $2 per gallon to treat an average home unless baits are
used.

“If you have your home treated, the termite control company
cannot treat again unless there is evidence of termites,” he
said. “The first treatment is viewed as a preventative
measure.”

Suiter encourages homeowners to keep in mind what they’re
paying for when they sign a contract with a pest control
company. “You’re paying for the treatment and for their
expertise,” he said.

Termite trivia

Because of the hot and humid climate, the Southeast is known as
the termite belt, Suiter said. Three native termite species and
one introduced species from China can be found in this
region.

Signs of a termite infestation include damaged wood, shelter
tubes and flying termites. In the spring, winged termites
swarm, leaving their colony to mate and start new colonies.

“Termites really don’t have it out for you personally,” Suiter
said. “They’re just foraging for food. They prefer softer
spring wood, and they rely on moisture to survive. That’s why
they bring mud up with them.”

Many people confuse termites with winged ants. But ants have a
waist and termites don’t. And, ants have jointed antennae and
termite antennae are straight. Both have two pairs of wings,
but termite wings are all the same size. The first pair of ant
wings is smaller than the other pair.

For more information on urban pests, go to the UGA Urban Pest
Management program Web site at www.gabugs.uga.edu. For
detailed information on termite contracts in Georgia, call the
Georgia Department of Agriculture at (404) 656-3641.