4. Should I fumigate or Local Treat?
The first thing you need to know is that a fumigation will not kill subterranean termites, or termites that live in the ground.
A fumigation may be necessary if termites are leading into inaccessible areas, in multiple areas, or have begun to damage the structure, which usually takes 5-7 years.
Just like any variety of products or services, some simply work better than others. The best treatment to be sure to get rid of all drywood termites in your home is to fumigate. The Department of Consumer Affairs conducted comprehensive, state-funded university field testing and determined that fumigation and whole structure heat applications produce superior results to all other treatment methods tested. One of the primary reasons is the little or no control over the termite located in undetected or inaccessible areas when local treated. Starting costs for small home start at $1400.00, and come with a 2 year warranty against drywood termites.
If you are not going through a real estate transaction and inspector may give an option of a secondary treatment for a local treatment. A Local treatment is not inteded to be an entire structure treatment method. If infestations of wood destroying pests extend or exist beyond the area of local treatment, they may not be exterminated. Although, this may seem like the cheaper option, think of the long term.