How to Get Rid of Termites
Learn to identify and eliminate mold from your home. Get rid of termites.
A common problem for homeowners across the country is pest infestation. Termites are particularly problematic because the longer they stay in the house, the greater the damage. Termites are as a rule brown or dark and have four wings that are generally the same measure. They measure about ¼ to ½ inch in length and have short, slightly curved antennae. Utilize this directly to memorize more about termites and how to induce freed of these pests.
Signs of a Termite Infestation
A beyond any doubt way to recognize a termite issue is to see live termites in or around the domestic. However, this is not the only way to tell if there may be a termite infestation. Look for these indicators:
- Hollow wood indicates that whales have penetrated the structure of the house. If the wood makes a soft thud or hollow sound when you tap on it, there's a good chance you have termites.
- Clay tubes are used by subterranean termites for travel. They attach tubes of mud from the ground to wood that they aim to create a kind of highway.
- Clicking or banging noises inside the walls can indicate a termite infestation. Solidar termites send signals by bumping their heads against the wood, creating these sounds.
- Shed wings are a common sign that houseflies are nesting. Ground termites often throw their wings into piles when they find a new place to colonize.
- Peeling paint isn't the most specific sign of termites because paint can peel for a variety of reasons, but when termites damage drywall, moisture can enter the space between the drywall surface and the paint, causing bubbles or peeling.
- Termite droppings or frass are small, granular fungi that have an oval shape. Insects often leave droppings on door frames, baseboards and window sills.
TIP: Some species of ants look similar to termites, so take a photo or video of the pest infestation for identification before assuming you have termites.
Types of Termites
Before breaking out the bait or insecticide, it is necessary to identify the species of whale. The foremost common sorts in private and commercial properties are underground, drywood and dampwood.
- underground termites are far reaching and cause more harm than termites in dry wood or moist wood due to their saw-toothed jaws. These termites live in soil, compost piles and house foundation timbers, which they access by building mud tubes to connect target timbers to the soil.
- Drywood termites do not rely on soil tubes for travel. They often have large wings and are deep yellow to light brown in color. Drywood termites nest in wooden structures and are commonly found in warm coastal areas of California, Florida, and Hawaii.
- Due to their preference for damp wood, damp wood termites often cause more damage to wooden structures outside the home. They are more often than not brown but can extend from light to dull brown or indeed ruddy brown. Look for damp wood termites in firewood piles, fence posts, utility poles, and water-damaged wood.
How to Prevent Termite Infestations
Prevention of a termite infestation is better than a cure. Installing preventative measures reduces a home's curb appeal and protects the property.
- Eliminate damp areas around the home by fixing plumbing leaks, leveling yards and repairing dripping air conditioners. Termites are drawn to moisture, so removing these problem spots makes the house less attractive to the termite population.
- Replace soil with sand around the house to prevent wood-to-soil contact as much as possible. Although subterranean termites can build mud tubes in soil and foundation wood, they cannot tunnel through sand.
- Clean drains to ensure proper drainage. If gutters are clogged, excess water flows over the edges and collects at the base of the house, making the soil soft and the wood attractive to termites.
- If the home has had termite infestation problems in the past, install termite-resistant wood. Also, leave at least 6 inches between the ground and any outdoor wooden structure, such as a deck, porch or patio.
- Seal openings with termite-resistant steel mesh to prevent these pests from entering the home.
- Stack wood away from the house to reduce the risk of termite infestation. If the firewood pile is directly against the house, termites are more likely to enter the house.
- Regular inspections can identify any potential problems. Professionals also offer advice on advanced termite prevention and treatment.
How to Get Rid of Termites
There are a few ways to treat termite pervasions, depending on the seriousness of the issue. Amid the starting stages of a termite pervasion, DIYers could be able to resolve the issue themselves, but in the event that the invasion is far-reaching or extreme, it’s best to contact a proficient.
DIY Termite Treatments
Homeowners can try to solve minor termite problems on their own using one of these DIY methods:
- Boric acid can be sprayed on infested areas to kill insects, but this substance can be harmful to children and pets if ingested, so use it with caution.
- Diatomaceous earth is a good option for homes with children or pets. It can be sprinkled on or around the ground where termites have been spotted to kill termites and create a barrier around the house.
- Orange oil and neem oil are natural bug sprays that can treat small-scale pervasions, in spite of the fact that these substances don't work quickly sufficient to be successful against far-reaching termite populaces. In a spray bottle, mix 2 cups of water, a few drops of dish soap, and about nine to 12 drops of orange oil or neem oil to make this DIY treatment.
- Beneficial nematodes are parasitic roundworms that grow inside the termite and poison the host within days. Nematodes also prey on other garden pests, making them a great way to combat outdoor pests.
- Insecticides can be used to treat termite populations and are widely available at home improvement stores as foams, sprays, powders, and baits.
WARNING: When using pesticides, the user must be careful to read and follow directions to avoid endangering children, pets, and other adults.
Professional termite treatment
When the heat is too much for a DIYer to handle, it's time to call in the professionals. Termite exterminators can identify termite species, note problems around the home, and recommend treatment options. Professional termite treatments typically include bait stations, fumigation, and heat killer applications.
- Snare stations are set up at key focuses around the property. The goal is initially to determine the severity of the termite infestation, but once professionals confirm the extent of termite activity, they apply chemical baits to attract termites. The poisoned bait is eaten and brought back to the colony, slowly wiping out the entire population.
- Fumigation is an extreme method of dealing with termites, but when these pests are eating through your property investment, it can be the fastest way to eradicate the colony. Exterminators release a powerful gas that penetrates all cracks and crevices in the home to treat infestations at the source.
- Termiticide applications can be used to place a barrier around the home, treat compromised wood or soil, or be injected directly into wood to target termite populations.
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