When it comes to controlling termites, over-the-counter
products
may be less expensive, but in the long run, they could really
cost you.

“If you see a swarm of termites around your house, don’t
panic and rush out and buy the first thing you can find to
control
them,” said Brian Forschler, an entomologist with the
University
of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences.

Take Time to Think

“Most termite damage isn’t sudden and catastrophic,”
he said. “So take some time to think before you
act.”

Most termites native to Georgia swarm from now until early
June, he said. They swarm when a percentage of the termites
within
a population become adults and fly away to start a new
colony.

“Termite control is a difficult process at best,”
Forschler said. “One of the advantages of using
professionals
is that they will give you a contract that assures you the job
will get done.”

Homeowner-applied treatments don’t come with any
guarantees.

Don’t Rely on Home
Control

“Using a store-bought termite bait is a really scary
prospect,”
he said. “I’d say, use one if you’d like to, but don’t use
it as your sole method of control.”

Homeowner termite baits hit the market about four years ago,
shortly after the professional baits became available.

“The over-the-counter baits sell, but you’re just rolling
the dice if you use them,” Forschler said. “I’ve gotten
the material to work, but I know termite biology and have time
to test it, check it and replace it three weeks after the bait
is eaten. Not three months later when you think about it
again.”

Forschler says when it comes to controlling termites, don’t
opt for the cheapest choice.

You Get What You Pay For

“People just want something easy and cheap,” he
said.
“For about $40, they can buy something they think will
protect
their house. And it may or may not. All this versus the $1,000
you’d pay a professional for a termite treatment.”

Despite the high sales of termite baits, the professional pest
control industry doesn’t appear threatened by the competition,
said Forschler.

“Professionals aren’t concerned about homeowner
treatments
because they know how difficult it is to control termites,”
he said. “They just figure those customers will become their
customers soon enough.”