Termites are among the most destructive pests that can penetrate your home or business. The extent of damage that termites inflict is so huge that US homeowners could spend as much as 5 billion dollars for damage and repair every year. If infestation is left untreated for long, considering the termites’ fast ability to reproduce and multiply their population to as many as millions, termites may cause a building to collapse in no time. Also, one prominent characteristic of termites is they do not sleep…at all. Hence, all they do non-stop for 24 hours a day is feeding on the wooden structure of your home.
Unfortunately, termite infestation isn’t usually detected early on, not until the structural damage to has become so apparent and immense. Still, we must pay close attention to the subtle signs of termite activity so that we can immediately take action and resolve the problem straight away.
The Indicators
You will realize that you have termites infiltrating you home if you see the following signs:
- Mud tubes
- Weird tapping sounds
- Bubbling paint
- Wood damage
- Termite droppings
- Swarmers or young winged termites
Termite Control
Once you have confirmed that you are dealing with a termite problem, you need to immediately take on the effective ways to eliminate termites for good. Of course, there are various DIY methods that you can utilize to get rid of these pests but calling in a termite removal expert is always the wisest move. However, being a homeowner, you can at least take part in keeping termites at bay and minimizing the damages caused by termites. Here are 8 suggestions you can consider:
1. Use Anti-Termite Products.
Termiticides are proven effective products when it comes to killing termites. The good thing about using termiticide is that it cannot be detected by termites. Thus, you can use termiticide as a barrier by applying it to woodworks and other exterior parts of your home. This is especially for subterranean termites. For treating drywood termites, you may opt to drill holes on the termite-infested wood and then fill the holes with termiticide. By the time the termites unknowingly consume materials treated with termiticide, they will ultimately die. Also, they will unwittingly spread the content of the termiticide, thereby infecting and killing the others in the colony.
2. Apply Direct Chemicals.
The effect of direct chemicals can last for a month or so. You can use direct chemicals like the odorless Termidor Foam on the interior parts of your home. Apply the chemicals directly to all cracks and holes where termites are possibly hiding. As the foam chemical expands and evaporates, it leaves behind a poisonous residue that kills all termites that come into contact with it.
3. Lodge Termite Baits.
Another good strategy that truly works for killing termites is putting up baits around the foundation of your house. Termite baits actually contain toxins meant to deter termite growth. Moreover, they kill termites in a delayed manner and so those termites carrying the toxins in their bodies will inadvertently transmit the poison to the other termites in the colony.
4. Spray Essential Oils.
Essential oils such as neem oil and orange oil are known to successfully kill drywood termites. All you need to do is to mix several drops of your preferred essential oil with two cups of water and some dish soap and then spray the mixture on the termite-infested materials.
5. Spray Boric Acid.
Another proven effective method for termite removal is the use of boric acid insecticide. The effect it has on termites is dehydration. Eventually, the termites’ nervous system will stop functioning upon taking in the acid. You can spray the acid in all potential hiding areas for termites.
6. Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth.
Diatomaceous earth is a powdery substance whose tiny shards can pierce and dehydrate the termites’ exoskeletons. You can sprinkle the substance to areas infested by termites.
7. Set Up A Cardboard Trap.
This is a type of DIY bait that you can use to trap and kill subterranean and drywood termites. The process involves dampening two pieces of cardboard and putting the wet pieces together. Since termites are attracted to cellulose, they will crawl between the two cardboard pieces resulting for them to get trapped within. Once you have collected the termites, you can burn the cardboards. Of course, this method isn’t always guaranteed effective as not all termites can be trapped at once.
8. Apply Beneficial Nematodes.
Beneficial nematodes are microscopic worms that serve as natural parasites to pests like termites. These organisms can kill termites by delving into the body of their host while simultaneously releasing poisonous bacteria.
Termites threaten the structural integrity of our home. It is therefore important that we make use of termite control methods as soon as we realize the presence of an infestation. Most of all, we should never forget to contact an expert pest control company to help us find solutions to the termite problem before our property suffers from further major disaster.