Termites are referred to as silent destroyers because of their ability to secretly hide in your home without any immediate signs of infestation. All termites are detritus feeders as in they feed on dead plants and trees.
They consume cellulose that is a plant based material and is abundantly found in wood. Wood being a major part of furniture and floorings, can become the action site of termites. Termites mouth specializes in tearing wood and their feeding habits can cause a great deal of damage to house foundation, shelves, flooring and furniture.
Not only do termites cause damage to human property but are also responsible for many human diseases. Termites can be classified into two – subterranean and dry wood termites. Subterranean termites are found within the soil and dry wood termites live within the wood and can also infest walls and furniture. Here are some tips and remedies on how to treat termites and get rid of their infestation.
They consume cellulose that is a plant based material and is abundantly found in wood. Wood being a major part of furniture and floorings, can become the action site of termites. Termites mouth specializes in tearing wood and their feeding habits can cause a great deal of damage to house foundation, shelves, flooring and furniture.
Not only do termites cause damage to human property but are also responsible for many human diseases. Termites can be classified into two – subterranean and dry wood termites. Subterranean termites are found within the soil and dry wood termites live within the wood and can also infest walls and furniture. Here are some tips and remedies on how to treat termites and get rid of their infestation.
1. Physical barriers
Physical barriers on how to treat termites rely on physical resistance of the substance or the material in use. These barriers must be installed during new constructions but they can be fitted in existing buildings. They are usually placed under foundations, walls and concrete slabs. These barriers are made of crushed metal, rock and other material that a termite cannot access. These barriers are installed by professionals and licensed manufacturers only.
2. Chemical barriers
Chemical barriers use insecticides to resist termite attack. These barriers can be placed under the foundation, concrete slabs and around the house. Chemical barriers are of two types – soil chemical barriers and plastic chemical barriers. Soil chemical barriers are applied in and around the soil and plastic chemical barriers are plastic sheets that contain the insecticide. These plastic sheets can be placed in and around the house. This method can only be used by trained professionals. Chemicals that can be used are
- Bifenthrin
- Chlorpyrifos
- Deltamethrin
- Fipronil
- Imidacloprid
3. Remove unwanted wood
Termites are attracted to waste wood material. One should remove any unwanted piece of wood from the house. Their food can include old stumps, building refuse, sleepers and logs. If there is an extreme termite problem in your house then you can consider replacing your old wooden furniture.
4. Use naturally resistant or treated timber
Chemically treated timber or naturally termite resistant timber can be used for various purposes in your house.
5. Water Attraction
Termites are attracted to water and humid conditions. Fix leaking pipes, shower, drains and sinks. Avoid humidity in your house by improving house ventilation.
6. Regular inspections
Regular inspections are very important in order to control termites. Get your house inspected between early spring and late summer. Termite activity is at its peak during summers so getting your house inspected is recommended during this season. You can call professional pest controllers who are trained in inspecting house and killing termites. Keep slabs and edges of the house clean of clutter and maintain hygiene.
7. Remedy treatment
Remedy treatment is used when the site of infestation has been identified and the nest has been found. Termite nests can be destroyed by either complete removal or by application of chemical insecticides. Here are some of the remedial treatments that use chemicals in one form or the other.
- Barrier treatments
- Dusts
- Baits
8. Barrier treatments
In barrier treatment a chemical soil barrier is applied under and around the house. This prevents the activity of subterranean termites and also prevents their entry into the house.
9. Dusts
This treatment can only be done by professionals. In this treatment an active chemical such as arsenic trioxide, fipronil or triflumuron are added in small quantities in the dust. This dust is then applied into the wood which then settles on some termites. While grooming, termites end up ingesting and spreading the active material throughout the colony. This results in death of dry wood termites and elimination of termite colony.
10. Baits
Baiting systems involve a food material with active ingredients such as arsenic trioxide, chlorfluazura, hexaflumuron and noviflumiron. Ingestion of this active food material by termites results in their elimination and destruction of termite colony.
These tips and techniques on how to treat termites must surely help you to get rid of termite infestation that has been troubling you for quite a while.
How to Get Rid of Termites with 10 Proven Methods
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