More Treatment Approaches were Better

Because every job was different, PMPs said they needed an array of products, equipment, services and treatments to successfully control termites. Arizona Termite Specialists in Glendale, Ariz., only does termite control, so having the right tools and training is essential. “That’s all we focus on, so you’ve got to do things right,” said Owner Jeremy Youngquist.

Post-construction termite treatments were the most offered service, reported 91 percent of PMPs in the 2023 PCT State of the Termite Market survey. Second most common was inspections/reports for real estate transactions (86 percent).

Due to the demanding nature of real estate work, Brad Dutoit tries to avoid it. “I’ll do some real estate work. I used to do a lot, but I got tired of dealing with Realtors. They want you to drop everything and do what they need done and I don’t cut my other customers for that,” said the owner of Jones Pest Control, Billings, Mo.

Termite renewals/re-inspections for an annual fee were performed by 81 percent of pest control companies; pre-construction termite treatments by 72 percent.

Healthy Home Termite & Pest Control, Acworth, Ga., does not perform pre-treat work. “Builders really don’t want to pay what needs to be paid so we’ve just never fooled with them,” said President Patrick Carter.

Borate wood treatments were offered by 64 percent of pest control companies, including Abatol Al’s Pest Control, Lake Charles, La. “Massive damage” from termites could be prevented if new- construction homes in termite-prone areas were treated with borates, said Owner Blaine Celestaine. He added that the he thinks borates are a more environmentally friendly treatment option as well.

Most pest management professionals (62 percent) said their locations used both liquid termiticide and termite bait systems to control the pests, but liquid termiticide (50 percent) was the primary product used. Some PMPs in follow-up interviews said their companies used high-precision machines to inject liquid termiticide into the soil.

When spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation was present in structures, termite control providers faced additional challenges. Over the past five years, 54 percent of PMPs said they encountered SPF with some frequency while doing termite inspections, found the survey. Most (62 percent) said technicians evaluated these situations on a case-by-case basis whether to perform service or walk away from the job.

Training related to SPF remains essential for effective termite control, said PMPs.