There are two termite treatments commonly used in Georgia: barrier treatments and baiting. Let’s take a quick look at both methods and consider the pros and cons of each.

Barrier treatments: These methods have been used extensively for many years. Chemicals are injected into the ground around the perimeter of the home forming a barrier that repels and/or kills the termites. Holes are drilled in concrete where necessary (driveways, garage floors, basement block walls, etc.) and are patched after the chemical is injected. The treatment remains effective for up to 5 years.

Barrier treatment advantages:

• Proven history of effectiveness
• Control is more rapid than with baiting systems
• A single treatment generally protects the home for five years

Barrier treatment disadvantages:

• May have an unpleasant odor that can last days or even weeks
• May contaminate nearby water supplies (wells or ponds near the home)
• May not kill the colony but just repel it
• Drilling into concrete may leave cosmetic blemishes
• Requires professional application

Baiting systems: These have been used in this area since 1995. The concept is simple and has been proven effective. Bait stations, consisting of wood blocks, are placed around the perimeter of your home every ten to fifteen feet. Technicians monitor the stations about four times a year for signs of termite activity.

When wood at a station indicates termite activity, the wood block is replaced by a piece of wood treated with a chemical that prevents termite maturation and reproduction or a chemical that prevents digestion and starves the colony. Eventually the colony will be substantially reduced or eliminated.

Baiting system advantages:

• May be installed by the homeowner
• No odor
• Safe for water supply
• Kills or reduces colony size
• Does not require drilling into the concrete

Baiting system disadvantages:

• Requires active maintenance by homeowner or expensive professional monitoring
• It relies on termites finding the stations - will not work if they bypass the station
• Is visible in the yard

Using Both: Sometimes both methods are used to take care of an infestation. The barrier treatment works rapidly to eliminate the active colony and the baiting system helps prevent future colonies from attacking the home.

Georgia Wood Infestation Report

Previously, a standard clause in most real estate contracts required the seller of a property to provide an Official Georgia Wood Infestation Report (commonly called a Termite Clearance Letter) which indicates that there is no active termite infestation. This letter will also note indications of previous termite activity.

Currently, it is the responsibility of the buyer to obtain a Wood Infestation Report. Only a few lenders currently require this clearance letter prior to closing. Despite this change, I still recommend that you inspect 2-3 times per year if you know where to look (or get a professional to check your home on a regular basis).

These reports cover other wood destroying situations as well, such as powder post beetles, wood boring beetles, dry wood termites and wood destroying fungus. These other pests are not as common and are not as damaging as the subterranean termites.

Treatment, Prevention and Questions: If you have any questions, or think you may have an infestation, be sure to seek profession guidance to make an accurate diagnosis. You may want to maintain a termite bond on your home and have it inspected professionally each year.