Can you Sell your Home if you have Termites?

If you were in the market for a home, would you consider buying one infested with termites? The answer is no. If you are planning to sell your home, contact us for a termite inspection. We can also help you if you are trying to refinance your home as many banks require a home inspection that includes termites.

Specializing in

• Termite control: liquid treatments with Termidor
• Termite inspection reports for sale of property
• Termite inspection reports for refinancing
• General pest control

If you're Worried About Termites Call Today

It is entirely possible that you will never see any evidence of termites until they make their appearance, and they may be unknown to you for years. If you haven't had a termite inspection or you have seen evidence of termites, don't hesitate to contact us. Our experienced technicians are ready to help you eliminate termites from your home.

Vikane vs. Orange Oil

Orange oil, d-limonene oil extracted from orange fruit peels, is currently available as XT-2000 for localized treatment of drywood termites. The efficacy of orange oil (XT-2000) for control of western drywood termites, lncisitermes minor, was evaluated in a laboratory study of infested wood boards. Prior to treatment, the wood boards were confirmed to be infested with live drywood termite colonies using non-destructive detection methods: X-rays, and sensors that detect termites moving or chewing wood.

Completely exposed boards were drilled and treated by an experienced pest control operator. Three boards were tested per treatment; including XT-2000 (92% orange oil), water only, and untreated control.

Holes were drilled using a "W" pattern and were spaced about 2-inches apart along the entire length and width of each board. Each hole was injected with the treatment. The maximum volume of orange oil that could be absorbed by the wood was injected.

Three months after the treatment, all boards were cut into small fragments to extract and count live and dead drywood termites. Live termites were found in all treatment boards. Termite survival was high in both control treatments, while an average of 19% of the termites survived the orange oil treatment.

Methodology

Vikane
Whole-structure treatment: The entire structure is tarped and thoroughly fumigated with Vikane, killing all detected and undetected termites, including those inaccessible for spot treatment.

Orange Oil (d-limonene, citrus oil)
Spot treatment: Only accessible colonies can be treated by drilling small holes at about 5-inch intervals into which orange oil is injected.

Third-party Validation of Efficacy

Vikane
Fumigation with Vikane is the most thorough, consistent and efficacious treatment of infested structures evaluated in more than 20 years of university research and over 38 years of commercial use. Researchers and pest control operators acknowledge that whole-structure fumigation, compared to spot treatments, penetrates better into concealed locations and large volumes of wood are treated more efficiently.

Orange Oil (d-limonene, citrus oil)
Recent laboratory research at the University of California Berkeley demonstrated in a best case scenario with complete access to infested wood, orange oil (trade name XT-2000) injected to saturation at 2-inch intervals obtained an average of only 81% control of the drywood termites with up to 100s of termites documented surviving treatment. This termite survival is important because pervious research at the University of California Riverside (UCR) showed that drywood termite colonies can reproduce and increase with as few as 20 worker termites. Recent laboratory research at UCR has also demonstrated orange
oil does not have residual activity; drywood termites with continuous exposure to wood topically treated with orange oil and aged 30 days did not have greater mortality than t ermites on untreated wood. Read More

Limitation on Treatment Application by Termite Location in Structure

Vikane
There are no limitations: Vikane penetrates all airspace in termite galleries within the tarped structure to kill termites.

Orange Oil (d-limonene, citrus oil)
Termite colonies must be accessible to the applicator.

Limitation on Efficacy by Applicator Ability to Detect Termites

Vikane
There are no limitations: Vikane penetrates all airspace in termite galleries within the tarped structure to kill termites.

Orange Oil (d-limonene, citrus oil)
Detecting live termite infestation is critical for treatment efficacy of spot treatment with orange oil: Undetected colonies will not be treated or controlled. Besides visual inspection, other detection methods include dogs, odor detectors, fiber optics, movement-sensitive devices and feeding-sensitive devices. These devices are infrequently used and, except for feeding-sensitive devices, adequate research has not been conducted to confirm their reliability to detect drywood termites. With the uncertainty of current detection methods, the secretive behavior of drywood termites and building construction (drywall or other wall coverings) concealing infestations, there is always doubt as to the location and extent of all drywood termite colonies in buildings that restrict accessibility and limit treatment. Read More

Possibility of Damage by Treatment Application

Vikane
The possibility of damage is low when Vikane is used according to the label. Improper tarping may cause damage.

Orange Oil (d-limonene, citrus oil)
Many injection holes in wood and walls may need to be repaired. Orange oil is an oily liquid which is used as a solvent and a degreaser. Its effect on paint and surface finishes is unknown.

Flammability

Vikane
Vikane is non-flammable.

Orange Oil (d-limonene, citrus oil)
Orange oil is flammable with a flash point of 115°F.

Indoor Air Quality

Vikane
Applicator must follow specific aeration procedures followed by air testing using sensitive detection equipment to confirm airborne concentrations comply with federal label requirements. Aeration procedures and detection equipment have been extensively researched to validate their performance.

Orange Oil (d-limonene, citrus oil)
Orange oil has a pungent citrus odor. No air testing is conducted after application.

Protect your Home from Termites

Termites are destructive insects that can damage your home and other wood items, reduce their value. Even brand new homes are risk for termites. Treatment with professional products is the only way to get rid of them.

Termites damage your home by eating wood. Typically, they enter the home through cracks in the foundation or other entry points where the structure meets the ground. Once inside your home, these destructive insects live and eat behind the walls, sometimes for years, before being discovered.

If you haven't been treated for termites, it's time you considered having us inspect your home.

Established since 1960, State Termite & Pest Control, Inc. has been serving residential and commercial customers in the area under our current name since 1991.

To learn more about termite control, call us today: 808-486-7378