Metro Guard Termite Treatments

Here is a process summary:

Important Note:

We differ from many companies in that our termite professional is the person that bids your project, answers your questions and completes the work. Many of our customers prefer this because it allows them to get comfortable with the person treating their home. They like the fact that he will be the only one working in their home and that there won't be workers coming and going. Less confusion arises because there is no additional salesman. Our technician bids the project so he knows what was agreed upon before he does the work. Some companies have problems with communication between the person who bid the job and the workers who conduct the treatment.

How is the treatment done??

The goal of a termite treatment is to apply termiticide to the entire area immediately below and around your foundation. A thorough job would mean that everywhere soil touches your home, termiticide is present. The treatment can either work as a barrier with the goal of keeping termites away, or as a "treated area" in which the termites are killed. We feel treated area termiticides work more effectively (see our Products page)

The termite technician will use a combination of drilling and trenching in order to gain access to the soil around and under your home. He will inject the drill holes with termiticide and fill trenches with termiticide. As the soil absorbs the chemical (some chemicals bond tighter to the soil than others providing longer protection) the treated zone is created.

Why treating wood or mud tubes does not work

Termites live underground and probe blindly through the soil looking for food (most cases wood). When they discover your home or building they are very persistent and find ways to get back to or stay in your home. Just like ants find your sugar bowl if you move it from one counter to the other.

Termites can build a mud tube at the rate of 1 inch per hour. If you destroy the tube (breaking it off or spraying pesticides) they may build it back or they may find a better entrance to your home. If they find a better entrance and that entrance is out of sight, you may think your problem is gone. In reality, you still have termites. The same concept applies to treating the wood. While this is possible and may eliminate the termites in that area, they more likely will find other wood to eat. Treating the soil under your home is the most effective way to eliminate Subterranean Termites.

Here we pulled back the carpet and drilled around the wet bar area. Drilling is required around plumbing areas because of access and moisture. Termiticide will be applied to the soil using this hole.

After the termiticide is applied to all the drill holes, the holes are then plugged and sealed. The carpet is tacked back to the floor and the area is cleaned. We try to disturb your home as little as possible.

Here we are drilling a patio so that we can treat the soil under it and that side of the home. The yellow "shut off" box that the drill is plugged into helps protect any plumbing under your home.