Time for Spring Cleaning!

Your Hometown Pest Control

Make sure pest control is on your to-do list.

Is pest control on your springcleaning list? If not, you might want to reconsider. Tim McWhirter, owner and operator of Canton Termite and Pest Control, says that pest control is an often neglected but critical aspect of home care.

“Pest control is a lot like going to the dentist. Just as you need regular dental cleanings to maintain your teeth, you also need regular inspections and treatments to keep your home clean and pest-free,” McWhirter said. “If you wait until you see pests to schedule a treatment, it will be a lot harder to deal with the problem.”

Often, you won’t see pests in your home until an infestation is advanced. Most pests are fairly reclusive, preferring to hide out of sight. This means that you will usually only spot pests in the open when the population is too large to hide.

“Detecting the problem late in the game makes treatment more complicated since the pests have had more of an opportunity to spread throughout your home,” he said. “In the case of destructive infestations such as termites, the timing of detection can be the difference between minor repairs and thousands of dollars in damages.”

PHOTOS BY J. KING IMAGES

Best Plan is Prevention

Termites are the greatest pest threat to Georgia homes, doing billions of dollars in damage every year. The southeast region is home to several species of termites, all of which feed on wood-based materials in homes such as the frame, wallpaper, furniture, and even paintings.

Termites are a long-term problem. Keeping them at bay requires regular inspection and preventative treatments. Homeowners should schedule an initial inspection of their home with a pest control professional and then set up an ongoing monitoring and treatment plan.

Ed Sullivan, Brent Pickens, William Botts, Jonathan Gay, Tim and Robin McWhirter, Jennifer Baggett, Linda Palmer, Jacob Baka and Dwayne Epps.

Ongoing Treatment a Must

A contract for termite treatment is popularly called a termite bond. A termite bond is simply a service contract that provides for three key protections: 1. Regular inspections and monitoring services. 2. Treatment solutions if a termite infestation is detected.

Ed Sullivan, Brent Pickens, William Botts, Jonathan Gay, Tim and Robin McWhirter, Jennifer Baggett, Linda Palmer,

3. In some cases, repair expenses for some of the damage caused by termites while the home is under warranty.

The two most common termite treatment methods use a liquid soil barrier or a bait system. Liquid treatments are usually applied around the foundation of the home. Termites are stopped when they try to pass through the treatment barrier product before they damage the home. Not all liquid treatments are created equal though. Some are more and less effective depending on weather and soil conditions, and older treatment often required intrusive and damaging trenching and drilling around the foundation.

Bait stations, on the other hand, attract termites with termiticidetreated bait which they then eat and spread to the rest of their nest. The bait stations are visible in the landscape. Bait often requires repeated monitoring visits to be effective.

“Now there’s a third option, the new Termidor HP2 system. It offers all the benefits of liquid treatment without the damage, plus it lasts up to ten years,” McWhirter said.

Advice for Homeowners

The fact is, there is no one approach for all homes. The most effective termite treatment will be determined by the unique circumstances of your property. That’s why it is so important to work with a trained and experienced pest professional.

“We recommend that you schedule an inspection of your home as soon as possible,” McWhirter said. “We are in the middle of swarm season right now, so termites are a lot more active than normal. Guarantee your home’s protection with a comprehensive treatment plan.”

Jacob doing an outside perimeter service.

William setting up a wildlife trap.