If you’ve ever dealt with a pest problem like termites, one thing’s for sure: once you’ve gotten rid of them, you never want them to come back.

But, more often than not, that’s exactly what you’ll be dealing with (especially if you don’t get rid of them professionally or completely). Nobody wants recurring pest trouble so here’s the good news – you can stay on top of pest control by understanding how long your termite treatment should last.

When you know what levels of protection you’ll enjoy, it’s easier to plan ahead for future termite control treatments and keep those pests gone for good.

Here’s everything you should know about lasting protection in Toowoomba and surrounds.

Is termite treatment long-lasting?

In short, yes — though the exact length of protection depends on the kind of treatment you use (and how thorough your chosen exterminator really is).

There are a few primary options for you to choose from, so we’ve rounded up the key info to provide a simple overview.

Physical barriers

The physical barrier is just that – a barrier that physically blocks the termites’ passage and forces them to try and cross at an inspection point. The barrier generally lasts up to 10 years, but only if it has not been damaged or compromised in any way. Think renovations, extensions, tree roots and earthworks really close to the house – these could damage or compromise the barrier!

And this means that 12 monthly inspections are needed to check the integrity of the barrier and maintain your warranty.

After 10 years, you could be needing a new barrier.

Monitoring stations and baiting

Once the monitoring stations are installed around your property they pretty much last forever.

Of course, they’ll need some regular maintenance and monitoring – with inspections required at set intervals. The maintenance may involve refreshing the attractant, but mostly it’s just about cleaning out the crap that accumulates inside the station over time.

In the case that the pest activity is observed at a station, a sterilising agent will be placed inside the stations to be taken back to the nest. This will result in the death of the nest.

Chemical barriers

There are two main types of chemical barrier, both involving the digging of a deep trench around the building structures. With one of the barriers the chemical is sprayed in the bottom of the trench as well as through the returned soil. The other type involves a reticulation or piped delivery system that is buried in the trench.

You’ll want an experienced professional to install these types of systems, so that you can be sure that the trench has been dug deep enough, and the right amount of chemical applied.

For both types the length of time the treatment lasts will vary depending on the chemical that is used as well as soil type. Some chemicals only remain effective for one year, whereas others can be effective for up to eight years.

Does termite treatment provide permanent protection?

No.

As we mentioned, chemical barriers can last between one and eight years, physical barriers last up to 10 years and monitoring stations can last forever, but no treatment provides a “set and forget” option – they all need ongoing inspections and maintenance.

It is important that you remain vigilant around your property and keep an eye out for any possible infestation. Even if you get rid of these pests, they may be tempted to come back. You’ll want to be on the lookout for common signs, so look specifically for:

• Mud tunnels anywhere, but particularly up brickwork and timber/brick stumps, or even around your hot water system
• Darkening or blistering of window sills or other wood areas, including on plasterboard
• Wood that looks to be thinning or sounds hollow

Looking to become a termite-spotting pro? Click here for the unavoidable warning signs of a termite infestation

And remember – turning a blind eye to the signs can leave you exposed to a major reinfestation. That said, if you have the right treatments in place — and properly maintained — they won’t be able to regain their foothold in your home.

How long does termite treatment last?

There’s no ‘one size fits all’ answer to this question. The timeline of termite treatment efficacy includes a range of factors that influence how long your treatment will last.

We’ve rounded up the major variables below to help you plan for your Toowoomba home’s future pest control needs.

Proper maintenance

Again, it’s important to pay attention to the state of your home and your particular treatment. That said, you might not know exactly what to look out for. In that case, we recommend that you hire a professional to conduct regular inspections and monitoring.

At King Arthur Pest Control, for example, we offer regular inspections and maintenance of your pest management systems. This can help give you peace of mind no matter what happens.

Home conditions

There are certain things you can do to make sure that these pests don’t want to return to your home (and that your pest treatment really lasts). This includes:

• Making sure there’s no water leaks on your property. These insects love damp areas, so getting water leaks fixed can make a big difference.
• Getting rid of any piles of wood that are stacked close to the house
• Routing drainage water from air conditioners and hot water systems away from buildings.

Warranties

If you use a professional pest control service, they will offer a written report and a warranty to help give you a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

What’s the best way to maintain a pest-free home?

There are many strategies that you can follow to prevent these pests from establishing a colony in your Toowoomba home. In addition to making sure that there’s no water leaks on your property, that drainage water from air conditioners and hot water systems is directed away from your house, and getting rid of piles of wood, you can:

• Keep plants and vegetation away from your home. Trim your trees and shrubs back from the buildings so they have no place to hide and enter.
• Keep your water features away from timber structures.
• Make sure that any wooden structures you have – like sheds or storage boxes, are not directly connected to your home, or are built with pest protection.

How do you find the best service provider in Toowoomba?

Think you might need some help finding and applying the right termite treatment for your home? It’s important that you choose a treatment provider that will get the job done correctly the first time. Ask questions like:

• How many years have you been in service? The right team will have history serving your community
• Are your technicians licensed and certified?
• Can you provide me with a copy of your pest control license?
• Would you provide a list of references?

If they can’t comfortably answer all of these questions, they may not be the team for you.

Final thoughts

If you’re dealing with pest control problems, you want solutions that will last. After all, you don’t have the time or the money to waste on repeated pest control efforts. Make sure that you:

• Pick the right treatment and it is properly applied
• Make your home inhospitable to these insects
• Properly maintain your pest treatment and the surrounding areas
• Keep an eye out for the biggest termite warning signs

And your home will be pest-free for years to come. If you don’t know where your home stands now, or you’ve noticed some warning signs, feel free to contact us and we will come out and conduct a thorough inspection.