Termites can present a huge problem when they show up in your home or other structures. They can cause damage to any wood structures that are around them and sometimes even nest within the structure, depending on the species. Luckily, there are a number ways that you can control or eliminate the termite population in the area. This article is going to take a look at what the signs are of a termite infestation as well as the methods you can use to get rid of them.
Knowing The Signs
There are a lot of ways to tell whether or not you might have a termite infestation. Obvious signs can include holes in the woodwork of your home, hollow parts in the foundation or sagging floors. If you find these kinds of signs, it means the infestation has been around for a long time and is now causing serious effects to your home. If you don’t see these signs, but have a suspicion that termites might be around, it might be a good idea to test areas in your foundation by tapping it with a screwdriver or trying to push it into the wood. If the wood sounds hollow or gives easily, it can be a good sign of an infestation.
Methods To Control Or Eliminate
There are several methods you can employ to control or eliminate a termite infestation. Some of these options work to kill off the termites completely while others just help to speed the process along by allowing you to kill a few hundred termites at a time. Some of the latter methods include placing infested furniture or smaller items in the sun or in a freezer for about two to three days. The termites on the item will be killed, putting a dent in the overall colony. You can also stack cardboard in an infested area for a few days until it becomes infested, at which point you can burn the cardboard to achieve killing off a decent part of the population.
Methods that work to kill off the entire population include the use of beneficial nematodes, termite bait, liquid termiticide or calling in a professional. Beneficial nematodes are small worms that act as parasites to the termites. They bury themselves into the termite larvae and kill them off within a couple of days. They are a helpful and natural way to help keep the population in check. Termite bait can achieve similar results.
All you need to do is leave pieces of the bait in an infested area for the termites to eat. It will then kill them off. Liquid termiticide is a great way to get rid of subterranean termites. You just need to drench the area around your home with the substance and it will keep outside termites from getting in and termites that are already in your home from getting back to the much-needed moisture in the soil. If these options seem too complicated, you always have the option to call in a professional.
Conclusion
Overall, there are a number of ways you can strive to control or eliminate a termite infestation. These options allow for you to find ways to get rid of these pests, whether you prefer a natural method or don’t mind using chemicals. Calling in a professional is also a great way to make sure that the colony is taken care of efficiently, especially if you have no idea of what you are doing (you could worsen the situation), though it can sometimes be more expensive. They’re all great options that can help remedy the problem for you before it reaches a point of causing too much damage to the foundation of your house.
