Revised 6/13/19

 

Subterranean termites are social insects that live in societies whose members are mostly immature individuals. Their colonies, which can contain thousands to millions of termites, are formidable, even though each individual termite is soft-bodied and delicate. They infest structures from underground. Termites have become a burden to homeowners today because it is not until there is a severe infestation that these hidden creatures are seen.

 

The species that we most commonly deal with is the Eastern Subterranean Termite. This termite feeds on cellulose, which is contained in wood and products derived from wood: lumber, pallets, cardboard boxes, paper products, etc.

 

Termidor is a relatively new type of termite control that since 2000 has faced the stiffest tests that U.S. and foreign researchers could throw at it. Many termiticides are repellants, applied as a barrier, which means they keep termites away instead of killing them. If there’s a gap in the treatment, the repellent effect fails and the termites get through. However, Termidor is non-repellent. Termites can’t smell it, see it or feel it. And since they don’t know it’s there, they forage freely in a treated area.

 

Termidor kills individual termites two ways. First, like other leading termiticides, it kills termites when they eat it – since they don’t know it’s there, they ingest it readily. Second, and unlike most other termiticides, Termidor is lethal by contact – they don’t even have to ingest it to die from its effects. As well as eating Termidor, a termite will also unknowingly pick it up and carry it back to the colony on its body. Every other termite it comes in contact with, feeds or grooms itself, will also become a carrier, contacting and infecting others. This combination of ingestion, contact and “transfer effect” routinely provides 100% termite control in 3 months or less.

 

 

6 STEPS OF SERVICE

 

Following the 6 Steps of Service:

• Meet the homeowner or tenant and listen to any concerns.

• Inform the customer of your general inspection and treatment plans.

• Let them know what you expect to be treating for and what the scope of services moving forward will include.

• Explain what they can expect from the treatment.

 

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SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS

 

Inspection:

• Inspect the entire inside, looking for harborage areas and termite access points.

• Inspect any areas that could provide conducive conditions to termite activity.

• Inspect all areas of the structure, including attics, crawlspaces, exterior foundations, basements, etc.

  • Measure for linear footage (if not already provided).

    • Refer to the Treatment Graph (if available).

  • Draw the graph (if required – update as necessary).

    • Show utility penetrations (plumbing, electrical, etc.).

    • Show conducive conditions (be specific).

    • Show possible hidden damage.

    • Show potential problems close to structure (deck, shrubs, etc.).

    • Show cracks and expansion joints.

    • Show termite activity and/or damage.

    • Make notation as to dogs, gate, etc.

    • Make notation as to where treatment was NOT made and reason why.

    • Place flags to denote areas where trenching is NOT to be done.

 

*NOTE:

If the customer requests that a deviation from State and/or label requirements for termite treatment standards be accomplished, a “North Carolina Official Waiver of Minimum Requirements for the Control of Subterranean Termites in Existing Structures” is required to be completed with a signature from the customer.

  

Approved Product List:

• Treatment Materials: Termidor; Premise

 

Initial Treatment Steps:

• Ensure all equipment & materials are available for job completion.

  • GFCI Box.

  • Extension cord.

  • Moisture Meter.

  • Termidor for trench & treat application (78 oz./ 100 gal. of finished solution).

  • Caulking material.

  • Portable vacuum cleaner for cleaning up droppings and debris.

  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – coveralls, gloves, safety glasses, respirator, etc.

• Follow Termidor label for proper treatment areas and application methods.

 

Outside Treatment – Trench and treat all soil areas as follows:

• Trench and treat the interior foundation wall in the crawlspace.

• Trench and treat around all piers in the crawlspace.

• Treat soils beneath porches and stoops.

• Treat soils beneath fireplace chimneys.

• Treat around pipes and utility lines as required.

• Vertical drill and treat cracks and expansion joints.

• Vertical drill under attached slabs from the outside of the structure.

• Vertical drill and treat concrete patio areas – a high risk termite nest location.

• Trench and treat around external concrete slab edge – a common termite entry point.

• Trench and rod inject soil along and around the external perimeter area of the structure.

 

Other Notes:

• Prior to conducting any inspection or treatment, ensure all equipment and materials are available for job completion.

• Once treatment is completed, examine for other pests living outside to recommend other A-1 services.

 

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6 STEPS OF SERVICE (continued)

 

Continuing to follow the 6 Steps of Service:

• Let the customer know what was found and what was done. If the customer is not available, leave a “Door Hanger” with written notes specifying what was found, what was done, and any recommendations deemed necessary.

• Inform the customer what to expect over the next few days, weeks, months, etc. Set clear expectations for upcoming visits.

• Ask the customer: “Do you have any other Pest Control needs I can take care of today?”

• If the customer does NOT already have a Home Shield service, ask them, “May I tell you about our routine service for continuous pest protection for your family?”

• Ask the customer, “If you feel that I provided you with good service today, I’d like to invite you to give us a positive online review – we’ll make it very easy for you.”

 

 

WARRANTY – 1 Year (renewable annually)

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