What Is Termiticide?: Protecting Your Crawl Space from Pest Damage

Keeping your home clean and in good condition is already hard as it is without nasty pests threatening to enter it and create a huge mess. And while some uninvited guests such as bats are rather harmless and will just leave their feces all over your below-grade areas, other intruders such as termites can cause much greater damage.  

Since most of the supporting beams in homes across America are made of lumber and termites eat wood to survive, it is not hard to imagine what will happen when these insects inhabit your home. Every year termites cause more than $2 billion in damages! Although they can crawl in anywhere, they will most likely make themselves at home in your crawl space, since it is typically dark and moist down there.  

If you have termites in your home, do not worry, it is not the end of the world. Nowadays, various termiticides will effectively help deter these pests and keep your home safe from further attacks. 

Let’s take a closer look at what termiticides are, which types exist, and how you can keep your home protected from termites. 

What Is Termiticide?

Termiticide is a poison that targets termites and can kill or repel these insects. It can keep these pests away from your home and kill those that have already invaded your crawl space. When you apply termiticide once termites are already in your home, they will run away from the poison and inhabit the walls. When there is no moisture in the walls, termites are not able to build new colonies. Instead, they dehydrate and die. 

Types of Termiticide

This type of insecticide is made to specifically target termites. If you wish to keep your home termite-free, these poisons in combination with waterproofing solutions can help you achieve your goal. Here are several types of termiticide you can use to protect your home against these insects. 

1. Liquid Termiticides 

Liquid termiticide is often used in the battle against termites. It is designed to exterminate those insects that have already attacked your home and prevent further invasions. Liquid termiticide is simply sprayed or brushed onto the surface of elements made of wood, plywood, and OSB. These materials will soak in the poison which will spread throughout the fibers, so the next time termites eat them, they will eat the insecticide as well. Poisoned termites will become sluggish and die eventually. The benefit of the delayed effect is that sick termites won’t die before they get a chance to go back to the colony. This way, they will transmit chemicals to other termites that haven’t eaten the poisoned wood and you will successfully exterminate the whole colony.

2. Baiting Systems 

When it comes to baiting systems, some monitoring is included. The way the system works is rather simple. First, the containers with food for termites are positioned in strategic areas. The items in the containers such as wood, paper, or cardboard will attract the termites and keep them away from your crawl space. Once the termite activity has been confirmed, regular food will be replaced with poisoned items. The termiticide will exterminate the colony before it wreaks havoc in your home. 

3. Termite Bait 

Termite baits are small portions of termite food that are covered in slow-acting termiticide. When placed around your home, they can eliminate the colonies that are circling your home and keep them from invading it. 

Unfortunately, no method will 100% guarantee that termites will never enter your home. However, with these measures, you can minimize the risk. 

Controlling Termites in the Crawl Space 

Lack of moisture prevents termites from reproducing and creating new colonies, which is why it is important to keep your crawl space as dry as possible. The best way to do this is to encapsulate it. A 20-mil vapor barrier will stop the moisture from the exposed ground from entering the area beneath your home. Moisture in the crawl space often leads to structural damage. Wooden frames and flooring can rot due to the excess moisture in your crawl space. Since termites are drawn to rot, it is important to keep vapor out of this area. 

Potential Issues with Fiberglass Batt Insulation 

Many homeowners believe that their home is protected from termite invasion because they have insulated their crawl space. However, termites can easily eat a part of the insulation and make their way to the wooden structures. Another issue with insulation is that it tends to collect moisture. It creates a moist and warm environment, which is ideal for termites. Therefore, insulation is useless when it comes to keeping the termites away. Even worse, it can create an ideal habitat for them.  

Fiberglass batt insulation should be installed in a dry and enclosed space to function properly. In a moist crawl space, it becomes wet and heavy, eventually creating a mess on the floor. A superior thermal insulation product is rigid foam panels that serve as a much better option. It can transform your crawl space into a dry, clean, usable storage area, unsuitable for termites. 

With this type of wall insulation, you don’t need to install a separate thermal barrier. It is completely non-permeable and therefore locks out moisture and keeps your crawl space dry. It features a glass fiber reinforced closed cell foam core and increases your home’s energy efficiency. 

Get Help with Termites in Your Crawl Space Today!

If you want to make your crawl space less attractive to pests and turn it into a clean and dry area, contact contractors in Michigan. Experts at FSM can come to your house, determine the state of your crawl space and recommend needed measures free of cost, so don’t hesitate to schedule a free inspection and estimate.

Leah Leitow

Content Writer

Leah is a Content Writer for Groundworks with nearly ten years of experience working in the foundation repair industry. Her experience ranges from working with homeowners to find the right solution to training inspectors and staff. In her background as a Michigan journalist, she gained invaluable insight into people's lives throughout our state. Leah lives in metro Detroit with her husband and two sons.

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