"The fact

that termites affect so many homes and cause so much damage each year

should be something that makes homeowners sit up and take notice,"

says George Rambo, entomologist and president of George Rambo Consulting

Services. "These silent invaders may go undetected for years causing

thousands of dollars in damage. If not treated promptly, termites can

literally eat away at one of your largest personal investments. Since

insurance policies don't cover termite damage, that hits homeowners directly

in the wallet."

Fighting termites

isn't an easy task, and many frustrated homeowners still fear that even

after treatment, termites will return. Most survey respondents (58 percent)

who haven't had a termite treatment believe their homes are already protected

from termites ­ an assumption that could have costly consequences.

A termite only needs a 1/64-inch untreated crevice to enter your home

and begin feeding.

"Repellants

that have been used over the last several years have only added to the

prevalence and strong-hold termites now have in the U.S.," adds Dr.

Byron Reid, research product manager at Bayer Corporation. "When

you discover these pests in your home, you want immediate results ­

you want them to die fast. Bait systems could take several months to kill

the termite colony, but a termiticide like Premise, available only through

licensed, pest management professionals, will kill the bugs on contact.

That could save the homeowner a lot of money in the long run."

In fact, according

to the Bayer Premise survey, 72 percent of homeowners who have had a termite

problem in the past went straight to a PMP.

So what's the

best advice when it comes to fighting these persistent pests? Just as

everyone should see a doctor each year for a check-up, it's wise to have

an annual termite inspection for your home.

"Most

PMPs will offer free initial termite inspections. PMPs can also provide

annual inspections, giving you piece of mind and a head start should termites

be discovered," adds Rambo. "He or she also is in the best position

to guide you to the most effective treatment."

Other survey

findings include:

Homeowners

in the South are almost twice as likely as those in the midwest to identify

termites as the leading cause of monetary damage to homes.

One in three

homeowners in the South, where termites are most prevalent, believe their

homeowners' policy covers termite damage.

Women are

50 percent more likely than men to try and treat termites themselves.

Forty-one

percent of women are concerned about recent regulatory announcements regarding

pesticide use around the home, while only 30 percent of men share the

same concern.

For more information,

talk to your PMP or visit www.nobugs.com .