Dog Lovers: Five Tips For Safe Termite Treatment
Termites can wreak havoc on a house, and if the infestation is severe enough, termites can cause permanent damage to a home. However, removing termites when you have a dog in the home can be a scary process. Obviously, you want the termites dead and gone, but you don't want any of the termite poisons to hurt your dog.
Here's what you need to do to protect your dog as you get rid of the termites in your home:
1. Evacuate unsafe areas
If the termite infestation has reached the structural elements of your home, you, your family and your dog need to evacuate your home. Being in a house that may fall over is incredibly dangerous for everyone including your dog. Luckily, however, most homeowners deal with termite issues long before they get to this advanced stage.
2. Board your dog while the exterminator is applying the termite treatment
If you opt for conventional termite treatment, an exterminator will come to your home and spray insecticides in the areas where the termites live. In most cases, these sprays are in small concentrations – enough to kill termites but not hurt people or animals.
However, to be on the safe side, you should board your dog or take him to a friend's house so he doesn't inhale anything potentially toxic.
3. Keep your dog away from termite treatment areas until they dry
The termite treatment creates a mist on the infected surfaces of your home. You don't want your dog to lick or walk upon this mist, or the poisons can get into his system. Keep your dog out of the home until these areas dry, and if that is not possible, just keep him away from the sprayed areas until they dry.
4. Consider alternative termite treatments
Insecticides are not the only option when it comes to getting rid of termites. If you don't want insecticides in your home (because of your dog or for any other reason), consider alternative treatments. Many people are exploring the option of using safe, natural, non-toxic orange oil to get rid of termites, while others use extreme heat. With the latter, an exterminator simply cranks up the heat in your home to a level where it is likely to kill the termites. However, that can be hard on electronics and other items.
5. Use treated wood carefully
In many cases, homeowners keep termites at bay by replacing old wood with treated wood. For example, if there were termites in your deck, you could remove it and replace the wood with treated wood. However, the chemicals used in treated wood can be dangerous to pets.
If you opt to use treated woods, don't feed your dog on your treated wood. Also, consider laying a blanket on it so he doesn't have to lie directly on it, and keep it well sanded to prevent paw splinters.
For more information on termite treatments, contact a professional like Xtermco Inc.