Termites are one of the most destructive pests.
If allowed to inhabit your property long enough, these insects can cause significant damage to wooden structures. They may invade your indoor space and damage household items, including furniture and books.
By weakening your property’s structural integrity, termites can open up your home for invasion by larger and even more dangerous critters. Timely intervention is paramount.
When dealing with termite infestation, many homeowners are often split between going the DIY route and enlisting professional assistance. Let’s look at how both options stack up against each other.
1. Comprehensive Inspections
For regular homeowners, the surest evidence of termite presence is spotting these insects swarming around in huge colonies. Unfortunately, the infestation is already severe when termites freely venture into the open.
Working with a professional termite treatment company can help you uncover early signs of infestation and address the problem before it escalates.
During routine inspections, the specialist will start probing for evidence of termite presence, such as mud tubes and hollowed-out wood. They’ll then deploy more advanced equipment, such as moisture meters, to detect signs of infestation that can escape the attention of the most discerning DIYer.
2. Trained Expertise
You don’t necessarily require a college diploma or university degree to set up a termite control company. However, weeks of extensive training are necessary to safely undertake a termite treatment project.
Unless you’re a licensed pest control technician, it’s better to contact a professional for any termite removal exercise.
Working with an experienced termite exterminator provides peace of mind knowing you’re engaging someone trained for this particular role.
3. License and Certifications
That termites have invaded your property doesn’t mean you can simply get up and start exterminating them. At least not if you plan to apply restricted-use pesticides (RUPs).
Federal and state regulations require pest removal contractors using RUPs to obtain relevant licenses.
For regular DIYers, that would mean enduring weeks of training and passing the Laws and Safety Exam. Not the kind of time you may have in your hands!
4. Advanced Tools
DIYers lack sophisticated termite removal equipment.
Whether it’s moisture meters for gauging the presence and extent of termite infestation or foam sprayers for exterminating these insects, advanced tools make termite control incredibly easy.
Unlike professionals, homeowners who insist on removing termites by themselves may incur additional costs in purchasing proper equipment.
5. Technical Skills
Besides possessing advanced tools, termite removal specialists are also equipped with technical pest treatment skills. This allows them to guarantee fast and sustainable results.
Pest control experts understand where to apply insecticides and how to set termite traps for maximum results.
They’ll also proceed cautiously to avoid further damaging to already compromised wooden structures.
6. Turnaround and Flexibility
Some homeowners cite fast turnaround and enhanced flexibility as valid incentives for undertaking DIY termite control.
Apparently, such individuals don’t need to wait days for pest exterminators to respond to their requests for termite removal. They also get to work on their terms without being forced to stay home when they’d rather be in the office or running important errands.
That said, professional termite control agencies may offer faster turnaround since they possess technical knowledge and advanced equipment. You could shorten the duration even further by working with local pest exterminators.
7. Safety and Precautions
Termites rarely bite humans. But exposure to a swarm of these critters can cause severe itching.
If that doesn’t dissuade you from scheduling a DIY termite treatment, consider the harm you could cause to your property while removing termites from damaged wooden surfaces. Or the health hazards of handling toxic pesticides.
Professionals will deploy proper safety measures while removing termites, including personal protective equipment (PPE) like face masks and chemical-resistant hand gloves.
8. Insurance and Warranty
You can’t be too careful when dealing with termites. A stumble could send you flying right into a weakened wooden surface, causing unintended bodily harm or structural damage.
Reputable termite control companies possess general liability insurance. If your property gets damaged during the treatment process, you can rest assured you’ll be duly compensated.
Besides, many pest control agencies offer generous warranties, entitling you to free or subsidized services if termites reappear shortly after a treatment exercise.
9. Cost Considerations
This is perhaps the biggest argument in favor of DIY termite treatment. All pest control companies typically charge a fee for their services. For homeowners keen on saving some bucks, DIY termite removal provides just the right opportunity.
But since professionals utilize advanced tools and methods, they can guarantee long-lasting results. You only cry once, so to speak.
Moreover, termite control costs aren’t set in stone. Actual fees depend on your property’s size and location, the type of termites involved, and the severity of the infestation.
Wrap Up
DIY termite treatment may be preferable for homeowners who possess extensive pest control skills and have extra time on their hands.
Some individuals also consider it more affordable to deal with termites themselves than to enlist professional help. But as we’ve seen, this can turn out to be a false economy when you consider the numerous things that could potentially go wrong.
And while some homeowners may further argue that DIY termite removal saves time, it’s possible to find pest control companies that offer incredibly fast turnaround. That’s especially if you go for local exterminators.
So, compared side by side, professional termite removal provides far more benefits than DIY treatments.
