Philadelphia may be the City of Brotherly Love, but that love isn’t offered to termites. These destructive pests cost homeowners billions of dollars in damages every year. Want to know how to get rid of termites in Philadelphia? Read on to learn how to spot signs of termites and all the ways to prevent and get rid of them.
Termite Treatment Options in Philadelphia
Dealing with termites in Pennsylvania is hard. If you learn that your Philadelphia home is under attack by termites, there are several treatment options available to you:
Bait Stations
Bait stations are an effective way to eliminate subterranean termites. A pest control pro places hollow plastic cylinders filled with poisoned cellulose bait around the perimeter of your home. The stations can be placed above-ground or in-ground.
When termites find the bait stations, they consume the slow-acting poison and take it to their nest, spreading the poison and eventually killing the entire colony. Even though they need to be regularly monitored and refilled, bait stations are incredibly effective.
Termiticide
The most popular termite treatment option is termiticide, which is available as either a repellent or non-repellent chemical. Termiticides are available in liquid, foam, or granular form and are used for subterranean and drywood termites.
Termiticides can be applied by drilling holes around the perimeter of the home, where the termiticide is inserted. Liquid termiticides can also be used as a soil drench or spray, and foam is often used in walls. Granules can be used to spot-treat your perimeter.
Heat Treatment
Heat is often used as an eco-friendly option against drywood termites. This treatment method uses heaters to increase the temperature of the infested wood to a minimum of 120 degrees Fahrenheit for 33 minutes, killing the termites.
Depending on the severity of the infestation, heat treatments can be applied as a whole-structure treatment or as a spot treatment. Keep in mind that some objects in your home can be damaged from the heat, and this treatment may not be effective on tile and concrete, which may not heat up to a lethal level.
Fumigation
Also known as “termite tenting,” this is an extreme but effective termite treatment option for severe infestations of drywood termites. Fumigation involves placing an airtight tent over the home while toxic gas is pumped inside and left for 24 hours to ensure that the termite colony is eliminated.
Homeowners and their pets need to vacate the home for a few days, and indoor plants should be removed.
Non-Chemical Treatments
For those who prefer chemical-free treatments that are better for the environment, there are a few treatment methods to choose from:
- Electricity: An Electro-Gun is used to zap termites with high-voltage and high-frequency electrical currents.
- Liquid Nitrogen: Injecting liquid nitrogen into the infested area of wood will freeze the termites.
- Microwaves: Technicians can “cook” termites to death using microwave technology.
Note: These treatments are effective only with drywood termites.
Signs of Termites in Philadelphia
To avoid costly damages, here are several signs of a termite infestation to keep an eye out for:
- Mud tubes along the walls
- Clicking noises in the walls
- Peeling or bubbling paint
- Sunken areas in the drywall
- Blistering and damaged wood
- Warped and sagging floors
- Termite holes in the walls
- Damaged wooden furniture (Check out our article: How to Get Rid of Termites in Furniture)
- Discarded wings from swarmers
- Hollow spots in the wood
- Loose tiles
- Crumbling baseboards
- Piles of termite droppings (only for drywood termites)
Types of Termites in Philadelphia
There are two types of termites that make “The City that Loves You Back” their home:
Subterranean Termites
The most common type in Philadelphia and the U.S., subterranean termites are tiny (1/8 to 3/8 inch long) but destructive, with the largest colonies containing up to several hundred thousand termites.
Subterranean termites live underground and get their moisture from the soil. They often avoid the open air by constructing mud tubes with dirt and droppings.
Drywood Termites
Drywood termites are not native to Philadelphia, but they can still find their way there by hitching a ride on lumber, furniture, or other wooden objects.
Drywood termites make their nests above ground in dry wood, getting their moisture from the wood instead of the soil. Their colonies stay small, hosting a few thousand termites at most.
How to Prevent Termites in Philadelphia
Getting rid of drywood and subterranean termites can take a lot of time and money, so the best action for Philadelphia homeowners is to avoid an infestation before it occurs. Here are a few things to do to prevent both drywood and subterranean termites:
- Coat wood with silica gel: This works as a desiccant against termites.
- Treat outside and inside wood: Use borax, varnish, neem oil, or orange oil to prevent termites.
- Store cellulose materials: Firewood, cardboard, and newspaper should be stored at least 20 feet from your house and off of the ground.
- Seal cracks or crevices: Use caulk or sealant on outdoor entry points, and apply varnish to outdoor furniture.
- Repair leaky faucets and pipes: Excess moisture attracts termites.
- Don’t overwater your lawn: This will prevent excess moisture from accumulating.
- Schedule a routine termite inspection: Contact a reliable local pro so that you catch early signs of termites before they can do significant damage.
- Introduce beneficial nematodes into your lawn: These small roundworms work as a natural insecticide by eating termites.
- Clean and maintain your gutters: This helps to avoid excess moisture and damage to your foundation.
How Much Does Termite Treatment Cost in Philadelphia?
The average cost for termite treatment can range from $275 to $863, with most homeowners in the U.S. paying $558.
In Philadelphia, the cost of termite treatment averages between $249 and $395, depending on the house’s size and the severity of the infestation.
FAQ About Termites in Philadelphia
How Common are Termites in Philadelphia?
Termites are a problem everywhere, but the frequency of termite infestations in Philadelphia is high enough to have earned the city a spot on Orkin’s Top 50 Worst Termite Cities list several years in a row.
When is Termite Season in Philadelphia?
Subterranean termites in Philadelphia swarm from March to June, while drywood termites typically wait to swarm in late summer to early fall.
Can Termites Survive the Winter in Philadelphia?
Yes, termites are active year-round, even when Philadelphia dips below freezing. They survive by moving deeper underground, or into warmer areas of the house, to escape the cold.
Hire a Pro
If local termites are infesting your home in Philly, let Pest Gnome connect you with a local termite control pro today for termite or other pest issues.
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