Bharat SainiLast Updated on May 14, 2019 by Bharat Saini
Termites cause billions of dollars worth of damages in the US every single year. They primarily feed on wood, but also can damage paper, books, insulation within walls, and even the liners of swimming pools and filtration systems. Termites injure living trees and shrubs as well which can cause a lot of damage to gardens or ecosystems such as wildlife reserves and parks.
While termites can infest a lot of buildings at any time, they’re very relevant when buying or selling homes. This is because termites are inspected for, and infestations are weeded out during the home buying and selling process.
If found in the home, termites reduce the value of a home considerably and can permanently tarnish the reputation of the abode to the point that no one would want to buy it again. However, there are steps that you can take in order to get rid of such infestations, as well as root them out completely by the help of termite control michigan so that they may never occur again.
Permethrin Dust and Arsenic Dust
Both of these are effective chemicals to wash off termites. If one termite comes in to contact with the dust, then all others from the colony will become prey for it. For permethrin dust, the results are instant. However, for arsenic dust, the effects are that it will transfer from termite to termite which feed on each other.
Caution: Arsenic is a natural poison, hence keep the chemical away from yourself, and use gloves and a mask when using it.
Flooding
You can drown the termites out to get rid of them. If you have a garden that termites have invaded, then you can dig up the affected area and flood it to get rid of them.
Sunlight
They say sunlight is the best disinfectant. In this case, it’s very true. If your home isn’t getting enough sunlight, then termites can destroy it. Don’t keep the windows closed during daytime and keep your home as open to sunlight as possible. Since termites like damp and dark surfaces, they will not be able to survive in a house that’s constantly lit up.
Orange Oil
Orange oil is simply the extract that you get from the peel. It’s not soluble in water. It’s dangerous for humans so you should be careful while handling it. You can suffer from stomach problems if you take the oil in and it can also irritate your skin and eyes.
To treat termite infestations, you can drill a small hole into the infested wood and pour the oil into the hollow spaces. You can see results in a week or two.
Boric Acid
Boric acid is a natural insecticide. It dehydrates the insects and stops their nervous systems. You can coat or spray the wood with boric acid that the termites are feeding on. However, you should wear a mask and gloves when doing so since the acid can be toxic if inhaled and corrode skin if it comes in to contact with it.
Nematodes
Nematodes are worm species which look for hosts like termites in order to breed and grow. They can be used in a spray form which can kill termites within 48 hours. And since nematodes aren’t harmful to plants, humans or pets, they can concentrate on insects and destroy colonies.+
Nematodes should be used immediately after purchased. If not used immediately then they should be stored in the refrigerator for preservation. You can use them in the early morning or after sunset as well.
Bug Bombs
Bug bombs usually consist of liquid insecticides and are available in pressurized aerosol cans. They are available at grocery stores. When sprayed, the insecticides fall to the floor and stick to other surfaces. Termites die when they come in to contact with this toxic substance. To protect yourself, you should use a mask when spraying bug bombs in your home.
The bombs, however, don’t penetrate wood or reach termite nests. Hence, this isn’t a permanent solution to a termite infestation.
Cardboard Traps
Flat strips of cardboard which are wetted can be stacked where termites are usually found. Since termites feed on cellulose, the substance that makes up the stiff wood in trees, it will feed on cardboard which contains high percentages of the compound. Once the cardboard is infested by termites, you can take them out of the home and burn them. This process should be repeated multiple times if you want to get the best results. Understand though, that this is a quick fix and it may not solve the infestation problem at its root. Other treatment methods may be required in order to fully get the termites out of your home.
Here is another source to look into to learn more about termite infestations and how to get rid of them.
Termite Baits
At this point, the market is flooded with so many termite baiting systems. You don’t require any chemicals to inject them into the soil and all you need is termite baits which can be placed into the ground.
The termites will feed on the bait and die, just like how rat poison works. However, the bait needs to be put in places where you’re sure the termites are nesting or hiding. Baiting can even be used in places where the pesticide or other chemicals may be dangerous for plants.
Eliminating Moisture
This is a great way of keeping termites out of the home in the first place. You should keep all the wooden structures in your home dry. If you let moisture seep into the wood, there is a possibility that termite infestations can occur.
Calling Exterminators
Calling exterminators is your best bet at getting rid of termites. If it’s your first encounter with them and the infestation has spread throughout the home, then it’s no use trying to control it on your own. Before the damage reaches catastrophic proportions, you should call someone that can take care of the problem professionally.
