Termites could possibly be the worst out of all the pests that can affect our homes. Within just a few years, it can ruin your hard-earned house. What’s worse is that you would not know their existence until the situation is worse. Thus, once you discover early signs of termite infestations, it is vital to treat them right away, be it on your own or with the help of professionals. But before you treat termite infestation, it is essential to know apparent signs of infestation.
Wood damage in your house’s wood parts
Termites are known to eat wood, so termites would be your greatest enemy if your house is entirely made out of wood. You can usually see wood damage below and behind surfaces such as walls and floors.It is a known fact that termites eat wood for its cellulose content. Despite termites being small insects, a swarm of them could weaken and damage the wooden structures of your house in a few years. To examine wood damage, make sure to look below wood surfaces. However, suppose you are doubtful of doing this yourself. In that case, you can always consult specialists who can determine termite damage with their tools.
Termite wings
Suppose you find discarded termite wings near your door, windows, or other entries. In that case, it is possible that you might have a termite infestation in your home. This is because when termites locate the right place to eat wood, they purposefully twist their wings off their body since they won’t need them again. These wings are usually of the same size, unlike ants’ wings.
Mud tubes
Are you familiar with brown, muddy, and slightly bulky lines near areas with high moisture? These are mud tubes, and they are usually found near sheds, trees, or areas where the ground is connected to your house.
Like any other organisms, termites also need specific temperatures to keep themselves alive. Because termites thrive in moist environments, they build these mud tubes to retain the moisture in their colony. You can try removing a portion of these tubes, and you will see termites crawling out.
You might think removing these mud tubes will kill them immediately because of the sudden temperature change. However, this is not the case. Termites are fast when it comes to rebuilding their nests. So, fast and efficient action in making sure that you sweep them all off is the key.
Screwdriver and flashlight
Wood only becomes hollow if there are no contents inside. You may check wooden structures in your basement by pushing them with a screwdriver. If the wood is still strong, you are probably safe. But if the wood falls off quickly and easily, you can take this as a sign of a termite problem.
Brown pellets/ Excrement
Another sign of termite infestation in your home would be termite pellets. These are usually wood-colored or dark brown pellets. You may find these droppings near hollow or weekend wood.
What substances would kill termites?
There are certain chemicals available that can kill termites right away. However, some areas sometimes regulate these chemicals; thus, using them for termite extermination may be prohibited by law.
So to be safe, make sure to hire professional termite exterminators as they are skilled in handling these chemicals and are equipped with knowledge on the effects of the said substances.
Still, here is a list of chemicals that they use in fighting termite infestations:
- Arsenic dust
Using arsenic dust to kill termites is one of the most effective ways available. Upon contact with arsenic dust, termites get killed off instantly.
The only problem with this is that when other insects feed off dead termites due to arsenic dust, the chemical may kill them off too.
After exterminating termites, make sure that you will also maintain your wood. Damp woods are the dwellings of termites. So, make sure that your wood is dry to avoid future termite attacks.
2. Permethrin Dust
Permethrin dust as an insecticide has been around for a while. It is not only used to exterminate termites but also ticks, ants, wasps, ground beetles, and bagworms.
Permethrin dust has to be one of the favorite chemicals of professionals and homeowners in fighting off termites as it gives immediate results.
- Sunlight
Sunlight is a natural termite killer. If your home is dark and does not let the sun in, termites are most likely to destroy your home.
Make sure that you keep your windows open during the daytime to let sunlight hit your home.
2. Flooding
If you see mud tubes near your garden, you can dig these tubes and flood them. In this way, you can naturally get rid of termites by destroying their tubes and colonies and drowning them.
3. Salt
Another natural, effective way of killing termites is to salt them. Fill a container with an equal part of warm water and salt. This concentration creates a 50% saline solution.
Make use of a syringe and fill it with the saline solution. Then, inject the needle in the areas you think are infested with termites. Eventually, termites will die due to dehydration.
4. Low temperature
In this context, low temperature means a temperature lower than 20 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range can help exterminate termites from their colonies.
To do this, you will need liquid nitrogen as it helps bring down the temperature of the place.
Termite treatment by professionals
While it seems that you can handle termite extermination on your own, professionals who can control large termite infestations are always available.
Aside from only exterminating the termites, professionals usually include preventive measures so that your house would not be a subject of termite infestation in the future. They can also advise you on how to maintain your house based on proven and tested methods so that it will not be susceptible to termites.
Get rid of termites with Hybrid Pest Control
Hybrid Pest Control employs their I.C.E. (Identify, Customize, Eradicate) Program in dealing with pests (such as termites) at home or business establishments. Suppose you are worried about termite infestation affecting your home or business; you may ask for a free consultation from Hybrid Pest Control through their website.
