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How to Effectively Get Rid of Termites




By Raymond Web

Wood damage, discarded wings and mud tubes are all indicators of a termite infestation. If you have noticed any of these signs, you need to take protective control measures to ensure you are safeguarded from further damage. But, before diving into ways to remove these pests from your home, you must first learn about the types of termites that pose a risk to be able to choose the best method to eradicate them.

Types of Termites:

Subterranean Termites

Subterranean termites live in the soil and build large nests in them. They usually affect trees and structural timbers. Once, they infest, they are also capable of gaining access to your furniture through termite tubes created around the structure. However, since most furniture is hardwood, it is not the preferred source of food for such termites. Subterranean termites are considered one of the most destructive species all over U.S as they are known to destroy woods and home structures at a fast pace. Here’s what you can do to combat a subterranean termite infestation:

  • Boric acid
    Coating or spraying infected areas with a diluted boric acid solution is one of the most common methods to prevent termite damage. Boric acid is a natural insecticide and also works as a low toxicity wood preservative, thus allowing you to protect your furniture while naturally eliminating termites from it.

Nematodes

Nematodes are worm species that are commonly used to eradicate termite infestations in the soil as they are not harmful to plants, humans or pets. They only concentrate on pests like termites and destroy their colonies in no time. Nematodes can kill termites within 48 hours of contact and can be introduced to the environment by mixing them in water and spraying the infected area with the solution. Nematodes are sensitive to light and must be used early in the morning or after sunset.

  • Bug bombs
    Bug bombs consist of liquid insecticide and are available in pressurized aerosol cans in any provision store. Bug bombs have the ability to kill termites upon contact.

Drywood Termites

Drywood termites do not require contact with the soil and are typically found in wood, hardwood floors and timber. While drywood termites cause damage at a slower rate as compared to the subterranean termites, these species are widely responsible for internal damage, i.e., furniture and flooring damage. This is because drywood termites will readily infest furniture. The tell tale sign of drywood infestation is termite pellets or small ridged droppings of the color of the wood being attacked. Such type of termites can spread easily, so if your furniture is infested by drywood termites, it won’t be long before they start causing structural damage

  • Orange oil
    Orange oil is simply the extract from the orange peel which can be used to treat a variety of insects due to its capability of destroying the insects’ cell membranes. Drill a small hole in the infested wood and pour the oil into the hollow spaces and the results will be seen within a week or two.
  • Sunlight
    Sunlight is the most cost effective way to kill termites. Since termites thrive in darkness, exposing them to light and heat can help. While it is a slow process, it is still extremely effective.
  • Termite Baits
    Another popular option is a termite baiting system which can be found at any provision store. It simply needs to be placed into the ground in order to get started. Since termite baits do not require any chemicals, it can be used at places where pesticides or chemicals might be dangerous for the soil or plants.

As you can see, there are various options that can be used to eliminate termites. In some cases, you might need to enlist the help of a professional and get a fumigation done to combat the problem, while in others, a DIY solution might work. Either way, remember to factor in the scale of existing damage as well as the size of the infestation before choosing either alternative to avoid any chances of another infestation 

When people find their homes and offices infested with pests, it is not uncommon for them to panic. Raymond Web has taken upon him the task to educate people on pest prevention and control strategies helping them keep their surroundings healthy, safe and pest-free. Being the digital marketing manager for Take Care Termite and Pest Control, in Tracy, CA, he has in-depth understanding of people and their pain points due to pests, which he efficiently uses in his content to educate people and add value to their lives.


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posted on 1/3/2018