How Long Does It Take To Get Rid Of Termites?

How long does it take to treat termites? Well, this depends on the species, type of treatment, and level of infestation.

Termites are among the most dreaded pest problems people would rather avoid. This is understandable due to the level of damage they cause. Plus, their mode of operation keeps them largely unnoticed until they’ve caused significant damage to your property.

Having clearly identified their presence and called for immediate treatment or extermination, most people will like to know how long it will take to complete the process.

As such, the common question is something like; how long does termite treatment take?

You’re probably reading this article because you seek to find answers. A possible reason most people will want to know the duration of treatment is to plan their schedules accordingly.

How long is termite treatment good for? Luckily, we’ve stepped in to provide you with all the answers.

How Long Does Termite Treatment Last?

Termite extermination isn’t a process that’s rushed.

It requires diligence in assessing the scale of infestation as well as the impact of damage caused. So, how much damage can termites really cause?

A lot! These pests will wreak significant property damage when an infestation goes unchecked.

Now, there are different types of termites.

Each type causes a unique type of damage mostly based on their preferred habitats. The common types of termites include subterranean, dampwood, drywood, and Formosan termites.

So how many years does a termite treatment last for each species? Let’s find out.

• Subterranean Termites

When subterranean termites infest your property, they cause significant damage.

As the name implies, these termites gain access to your property by building mud tubes or tunnels that protect and gives them the cover they need. Such passageways connect them to food sources which could be your property.

So, what exactly do these destructive pests feed on? Subterranean termites will feed on all things cellulose. Ready sources of cellulose include plants, insulation, cardboard, sheetrock paper, fabric, wood, and carpets among many others.

Every structure has lots of these food sources including your home. So, subterranean termite presence signifies danger.

How Long Does Subterranean Termite Treatment Last?

The time taken to fully exterminate subterranean termites from your structure depends on the type of treatment applied and the degree of infestation.

Different treatment types such as the use of termite bait will require some time for such baits to fully take effect.

Baits are slow-acting and designed to gradually poison the entire colony. So, when termites come across such baits and feed on them, they take some of them back to the colony which results in mass poisoning.

The time it takes for termites to locate your bait may take longer.

In some cases, locating one may take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months before they begin to feed on it. Once they start feeding on bait, it will take about 90 days for poison contained in bait to fully have its toll on them.

In other words, termites are killed in about 90 days once they eat baits. However, some termite baits are designed to inhibit or alter termite development. These are known as chitin inhibitors. Such baits take a much longer time to act.

As long as the bait is fed on, it will take a few years (2 to 4 years) for their colony to be wiped out.

Other treatment types may act a lot faster in getting rid of subterranean termites. Calling a reliable pest management service should help solve the problem within a few weeks depending on the strategies adopted.

1. Dampwood Termites

Dampwood termites are another species of termites also known to cause property damage. As their names suggest, these pests are attracted to moisture and dampness and will readily infest a home with damp wood lying around.

Plumbing issues can also easily attract these types of pests.

What more? Dampwood termites go as far as attacking live trees.

You may notice your cherished trees suddenly dying out. One of the likely reasons is because dampwood termites are feeding on the parts of the tree below ground. Sustained feeding kills off the tree.

How Long does it Take to Get rid of Dampwood Termites?

Is this any different from subterranean termites? Not exactly!

The time it takes for dampwood termites to get eliminated also depends on the extermination method adopted. When performed by experienced professionals, damp wood termites should start dying within the first day of treatment.

However, the scale of the problem or infestation is always a major fact in determining the treatment period. In severe cases, it may take longer for the treatment to reach the termite queen as well as the entire colony.

This may take a few days to some weeks.

• Drywood Termites

Drywood termites are most active during sunny days when the temperature is warm. These pests target undecayed wood which serves as a source of food as well as a nesting area for them. These are hard to identify and eat up your home from the inside out.

Your best bet for control is to seek urgent help by calling professional pest control services. These services have a variety of approaches.

The strategy they choose for your pest issue depends on what’s most applicable to your situation.

How Long does it Take to Get Rid of Drywood Termites?

Repellent products take a much shorter time to treat drywood termites. Treatment may take as long as a few days to a week or two. However, for non-repellent products, drywood termite extermination may take longer.

The full impact of treatment may take as long as 90 days to complete.

• Formosan Termites

Formosan termites are highly destructive and invade structures from the soil, feeding on any cellulose source they come across. Their activities will need to be checked early to deter them from wreaking significant havoc on your property.

How Long Does It Take to Get Rid of Formosan Termites?

As always, the time needed to fully get rid of Formosan termites depends on the method adopted. There are several strategies to choose from. When a pest management service is involved, their preferred treatment strategies don’t take as long.

Formosan termites are killed within a few days to about a week. Repeat treatments are carried out for all termite species when their presence lingers on.

As discussed above, termite treatment depends on several factors. These include the scale of infestation and the type of treatment applied. We’ve also considered the different species of termites and how long it takes to get rid of them.