Termite is one of the nuisance pests of the world. Unlike other pests, these insects can destroy your house literally. They eat wood and wood-material objects in your home 24 hours/day. So, how to get rid of termites and what is the best termite treatment?
1. Termites signal
There are about 2,600 termite species worldwide. Among them, the subterranean termite is the worst, causing 80% damage to constructions.
Termites and flying ants are usually mistaken for each other because of their striking resemblance. To effectively address your pest problem, it is crucial to accurately determine which insect is responsible for the infestation. You can have a look at termites vs flying ants to recognize them. You can also recognize termite infestation through the signs below:
Stay alert for indications such as discolored or drooping drywall, paint that appears to be peeling due to water damage, and wood that produces a hollow sound when tapped. Pay attention to excessively squeaky floorboards, deteriorating or damaged wood, as well as windows or doors that present difficulties when opening or closing them.
If you come across intricate maze-like patterns on wood, furniture, floorboards, or walls, it could be a telltale sign of termite tunnels. Keep a lookout for small granular oval pellets that resemble salt or pepper, as they might indicate termite presence. Those pellets are termite droppings, commonly referred to as frass.
Another clue to be aware of is the presence of discarded wings resembling fish scales, left behind after termite swarms. Additionally, be attentive to the presence of mud tubes on walls.
Furthermore, keep an eye out for small pinpoint holes in drywall, floorboards that appear buckled, and tiles that are loosening due to excess moisture, as these could also be indications of termite activity.
You may hear clicking sounds within your walls or wood furniture. It can be the sound when the workers eat wood or when the soldiers bang their heads against the wooden surfaces to warn fellows about dangers. If you see small, granular oval pellets found on door frames, baseboards, and windowsills, that’s a clear indication that a termite infestation has taken hold. Those
Lastly, if you spot flying termite swarms in your home, it’s crucial to take note as it could indicate a termite infestation.
Should you observe any of these signs, you should apply termite treatment for your home immediately or ask for assistance from pest control companies for thorough termite inspection and appropriate treatment.
2. Termite treatment at home
Drywood termites and subterranean termites are two popular species that usually invade your house. They nest in different places and are controlled in different ways. That’s why it’s crucial to identify the specific type of termite colony causing the infestation in order to apply the appropriate treatment methods.
a. Subterranean termites
Subterranean termites, as the name suggests, create their nests below the ground and infiltrate homes using mud tubes. These colonies can be expansive, ranging from 100,000 to 1 million individuals. You can remove this termite species with numerous treatment options.
– Introducing natural enemies: Beneficial nematodes are highly effective predators of termites and various garden pests. These small yet formidable roundworms possess the ability to infiltrate ground termites and, once inside, they unleash a symbiotic gut bacteria. This bacterium acts as a potent toxin, gradually poisoning the termite’s bloodstream and leading to its demise within a matter of days.
You can buy these nematodes online or at stores. To effectively address a termite infestation in your outdoor spaces, all you need to do is evenly distribute a blend of beneficial nematodes, potting soil, and cold water over the affected areas. Employing this ground termite treatment has proven to be highly successful in eradicating termites from both your lawn and garden.
– Using diatomaceous earth: This is an effective termite removal, works by infiltrating the insects’ exoskeletons and causing dehydration. You can apply the powder in suspected termite-infested areas and let the termites come into contact with it.
– Termite baits offer an exceptional solution for controlling termite infestations. By strategically positioning these baits beneath the ground, approximately 2-4 feet from the foundation of a house. You can also put them in locations that are more susceptible to termite colonies, like tree stumps. Once the termite workers are attracted to the bait and ingest it, a gradual-acting toxin hinders their normal development and eliminates them while they molt.
What’s amazing about this termite treatment is its clever utilization of termites’ social behavior. When termites are infected, they unknowingly transport the insecticide back to their colony, transmitting it to other termites. This process eventually leads to the destruction of the entire colony.
– Liquid treatment a.k.a termite barriers or termiticide barriers provide a highly effective approach to prevent and eradicate termite infestations. This soil treatment is done by excavating the soil around the foundation’s perimeter and subsequently refilling the trench with liquid termiticides such as imidacloprid and fipronil before backfilling the soil. By doing so, an imperceptible shield is formed, serving as a deterrent to prevent termites from invading your home.
Termites, unlike other pests, cannot detect the presence of termiticides and therefore do not attempt to avoid them. Consequently, when a termite encounters the barrier, it will die.
Like the termite bait method, this termite treatment for the foundation can disperse toxins throughout the termite colony. Unintentionally, the infected termite transports the termiticide chemical, facilitating its transmission from one termite to another. This sets off a chain reaction that gradually eliminates the entire colony.
Termite bait stations vs liquid treatment: These two termite treatments have similar effects as they both destroy the whole colony. So, what to choose?
| Termite bait stations | Liquid treatment | |
| Effectiveness | Work slower Do not prevent and less effective in the autumn and winter | Faster Prevent termites from coming inside your house |
| Cost | Cheaper | More expensive |
| Lasting | 1 year | 5 years |
– Commercial chemical products provide effective pest control options for tackling infestations within your home. One such solution is the utilization of termite foams, specifically designed to target the hiding places of termites, such as cracks, voids, and crevices.
These odorless foams not only reach these areas but also leave behind a residue of potent insecticide. Upon contact with the foam or residue, these pests are eliminated. This termite treatment typically maintains its efficacy for approximately a month or even slightly longer. If the foam or liquid treatments can’t reach termites, you can use dust agents.
Before using these termite killers, you should read the instruction carefully. Do not use them in places frequented by pets or children.
– Boric acid is one of the most effective termite treatments for eradicating termites. You can find this chemical as the primary ingredient of many termite insecticides. The acid functions by dehydrating termites and disrupting their nervous system. To apply it effectively, evenly spray the acid into crevices and cracks found in walls, floors, and ceilings.
b. Drywood termites
This type of termites have a diet centered around wooden structures, where they both feed and build their nests. They are often found in regions such as Florida, Hawaii, and California. Compared to the subterranean species, their colonies are smaller with 2,500 individuals.
To remove infestations of drywood species, you can use one of these common termite treatments.
– Essential oils: Neem and orange oil are effective natural termite treatments for minor termite problems. These oils probably don’t provide optimal results for extensive infestations or instant reduction, but they can work steadily to deter and eradicate termites. Besides, it’s a non-toxic method.
The oils can impede the reproductive and molting processes of termites. This is the termite home treatment that you can do it yourself. Add 2 cups of water at room temperature, 10 drops of orange oil or neem oil, and a few drops of dish soap. Mix them well and put the mixture in a spray bottle. To control and eliminate termites, you just need to spray the solution on any infested wood or materials.
– To eliminate dry wood termites, you can destroy their places by drilling holes in infested woods and applying termiticide. This method is particularly effective for finished or painted wood, but it may not be the most optimal solution for hardwoods.
Create holes in the infested wood, spacing them approximately 10 inches apart. Keep drilling until you feel resistance, which signals that the drill or screwdriver has reached the termite nest. After positioning the holes, inject poison into them, ensuring comprehensive coverage. Ultimately, use putty or a wood patch to seal the holes, completely blocking the termites’ entry points and making their nests inaccessible.
– To get rid of dry wood termites, you can also apply 2 methods from subterranean termite removal: Diatomaceous earth and boric acid.
c. Professional Termite control service
One of the important things when dealing with pests like termites is time. You need to act promptly to prevent significant harm to your home. Termites have the potential to inflict extensive damage to the foundation of your house. Relying solely on do-it-yourself (DIY) termite treatments might not be enough for widespread or persistent infestations.
DIY termite treatment vs professional: When encountering such situations, you should call a termine professional. Termite exterminators possess the required knowledge and tools. They can help you find the exact entry points, locate the colonies, and come up with a customized treatment plan that suits your home’s unique requirements. They can give you various termite treatments, from the basics like those above to termite tenting (structural fumigation), to ensure effective elimination and prevention.
– Make sure to wear protection before using any non-natural termite killers because they can make you sick. Some products can cause dizziness, diarrhea, skin irritation, sweating, difficulty in breathing, etc. After applying, you should stay out of the areas for a few hours.
– The rain can reduce the effect of the termite treatments outdoors.
– These treatments can kill other bugs like cockroaches or bed bugs.
3. Ways to prevent termites in the future
Prevention is better than cure! Implementing preventive measures against termites can result in significant cost savings. You can follow these termite prevention steps to minimize your home’s attractiveness to termites:
– Termites require moisture to survive and flourish. Eliminate any damp areas in and around your house as a preventive measure against these pests. You can:
- Inspect various areas for potential leaks. Regularly check your roof, plumbing system, gutters, and air conditioners for any signs of leakage.
- Clear out your gutters, pipes, and drain spouts regularly to prevent water accumulation and the buildup of debris such as wood.
– To prevent termites from infiltrating your home, you can:
- Thoroughly fill any cracks and crevices in your foundation to eliminate potential entry points for termites.
- Cover exterior openings, such as vents, with termite-resistant steel mesh.
- Close windows and doors tightly. Check for any gaps or openings and promptly seal them with appropriate materials.
- Identify and eliminate any unnecessary openings in and around your home that could serve as entry points for termites. This may include gaps around utility pipes, cables, or other fixtures.
– To eliminate potential food sources that may attract termites, it is advisable not to stack firewood against your house and to promptly remove any tree stumps from your yard.
– Minimize direct contact between wood and the ground to mitigate the chances of termite infestations. Ensure that there is a minimum of 6 inches of space between your wooden deck, patio, or porch and the ground.
– When constructing outdoor wooden structures or when wood needs to come into contact with the ground, it is advisable to utilize termite-resistant wood.
– Consider replacing the soil surrounding your house with sand if you have wooden structures in direct contact with the ground. Termites are unable to construct tunnels through sand, making it an effective barrier against their intrusion. Opt for non-wood mulch alternatives, such as gravel or rubber, to discourage termites from being attracted to your yard.
– Ensure you arrange annual termite inspections conducted by a qualified professional to identify any indications of termite presence and promptly treated them as needed. This is necessary, especially when your house was invaded before since you cannot eliminate termites permanently.
A yearly termite inspection can cost you about $150 to $400. However, some companies have free inspections. The typical price range for termite treatment falls between $250 and $950 on average.
Conclusion
Termites can cause significant damage to homes and structures if left unchecked. It’s crucial to identify the presence of termites early on and identify the species. Once identified, it is important to act swiftly.
You can effectively eliminate termites in your house by using natural enemies, termiticide sprays or foams to create a protective barrier around the structure, or setting up termite bait stations to attract and eliminate colonies. You can also apply diatomaceous earth or essential oil mixtures.
Getting rid of termites requires a systematic and proactive approach. When the infestation worsens, you should call an expert. Prevention is also key in the long-term management of termites.
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