The Facts

• Termites can invade a property by the thousands and devour the wood of houses and trees. They live in colonies that they build in trees, in the ground, in attics or under houses. Destroying the colonies is the best way to control termites.
  
  

Termite Damage

• Termites can cause extensive damage to any wooden structure. They burrow through the wood to find food. This weakens structures and decreases the value of houses.
  
  

Termite Treatments

• Termites can be eradicated through tenting and fumigation, liquid termite treatments and termite baits. These techniques use poison gas, poison liquid and traps, respectively, and kill any termites in the area.
  
  

Termite Prevention

• After homeowners have killed off existing termites, they should prevent re-infestation. Techniques for prevention include building termite barriers by spraying liquid pesticides around the property's perimeter. Termite baits and traps are other good prevention techniques.
  
  

Considerations

• Fumigation kills termites that are present at the time, but does not prevent future termites. Fumigation, which uses pesticides, can harm animals.