Part one of this article described the various types of termites found in Malaysia and how to tell if they are present in your home. These little creatures are incredibly destructive and have been known to cause damage of up to RM400 million a year.

So, armed with some knowledge of what they look like and how an infestation can be identified, how do you get rid of them? Here are two recommended approaches.

Soil treatment or liquid injection

This is an effective solution for termite control where a repellant chemical solution, also known as termicide, is injected or sprayed into the soil under your property.

This can be done before construction to avoid future infestations, with the termicide sprayed before concrete floor slabs are placed.

For homes that are already built, holes can be drilled into the floor and injected with the chemicals before being resealed afterwards.

Drywood termites, however, build their nests above ground, surviving without soil and drawing moisture from the air and wood they infest. Treatment for this species is slightly different: holes are drilled into the wood they infest, and then injected with termicide.

Baiting system

A baiting system is the better approach for eliminating entire colonies without creating disruption to property owners. It is a well-proven method that targets worker termites, cutting off food supply. The king, queen and soldier termites end up dying of starvation.

Termite baiting is a gradual process that takes several weeks to months, depending on the infestation size, and involves a few steps:

• Pre-baiting

Termites only eat wood and cellulose, so the feeding cycle must first be established. Scouts will need to find the termite bait station and leave a scent for worker termites to follow and feed on the bait in these stations.

Once a feeding cycle has been set, the bait will be replaced with undetectable toxic chemicals that eventually kill the worker termites.

• Growth hormones

The next step is to inject hormones into the feeding station to stop the worker termites from moulting and reproducing. The quantity of hormones injected depends on the size of the colony.

• Wait it out

Once enough worker termites are killed, the entire termite population will gradually die of starvation.

Frequently asked questions

1. How much will termite treatment cost?

The cost of eradicating termites will vary depending on the size of the property but is generally in the region of RM2.50 per sq ft for soil treatment, and upwards of RM1,200 for termite baiting.

2. How safe is it?

When administered correctly by a professional, termite treatments should be safe. Direct contact with chemicals can cause irritations and complications, so it’s better to discuss with the exterminator regarding products and methods that are safe for the family, including pets.

3. How long does each treatment last?

Soil treatment typically lasts up to five years before the termicide biodegrades. Bait stations last for up to 12 months and should be maintained yearly to remain effective.

The type of termite, degree of infestation, home environment, and accessibility of the targeted area can affect how long each treatment lasts.

4. Can I handle an infestation myself?

If you have individual items of furniture with an infestation, try moving it into the sun as drying it out may eliminate the bugs.

Treating your home with chemicals found in hardware stores can be effective for smaller targeted spots like a piece of furniture or a small patch on the wall, but may not work for widespread areas.

If you are thinking of using professional-grade termicide, it is much safer to leave it to the experts.

5. Are organic treatments effective?

The chemical compound borax, borate salts and sprays have been proven to kill termites. Borate salts have a low toxicity level and are water-soluble. Sprays are an effective way of treating homes but can only provide a partial protective barrier within a limited area.

Other organic products like orange-oil sprays, although popular, have not been proven effective.

This article originally appeared on Recommend.my – Malaysia’s #1 Home Improvement Services Platform. Recommend.my offers a safer and more convenient way to hire the best home improvement and home maintenance professionals. From flooring to interior design to air-conditioner servicing, get access to thousands of the best local contractors and professionals at your fingertips.