Are you bothered by termite infestations? Worried about how to kill the termites naturally?
Worry not, we are here to help you to find a solution for every termite problem that you have come across. All you need to do is, read on this article and follow the methods.
Identification And Life Cycle
Termites or white ants are present in almost any geographical conditions. So, the termite problem exists in the entire world.
These small insects depend on plant cellulose, the main constituent of plant cells. They do not differ on plants they attack. Any plant/ tree that has grown and has super fibers developed is their target.
They feed on any wood available. Whether it is a twig lying outside or your carved stylish door, it doesn’t make any difference to them.
Once a termite infests, the damage that they cause is permanent, and you have to replace the entire unit. Termites usually eat the wood inside out.
Termites live in colonies like ants and eat approximately 7.5 Kg of wood weekly. It is some severe wood-eating!
At this pace, they take 2 – 3 weeks to eradicate your wooden products.
Termites breed and survive in any season. All they need to start is a small book and will take over the entire space in a month!
Types Of Termites
Drywood Termites
Drywood termites feed on dried wood and are moderate in action. They never depend on soil and prefer dried wood products.
These are the ones that attack our wooden home products.
Dampwood Termites
These are the termites that find their life on high moisture containing wood. Damp wood termites rarely attack home wood as the wood used in the home are dry.
Formosan Termites
These are termites with wings and love the wood, moisture, and soil. They enter to any timber in contact with moist soil. The rate of destruction is more as they tend to live in huge colonies.
Subterranean Termites
These are the termites that live on soil and feed on to tree root structure. Subterranean termites are the most destructive species and the main result of destruction in the US region.
Though there are 4 different types of termites, all are present in every sub-terrain.
There is a possibility of any of the 4 attacking your wooden furniture. The most found termite is the dry-wood termite.
As said earlier termites are not season bound. They will be ready to destroy wood items all the time. Hence, it makes sense to always keep a check on them and be equipped to ward of them.
Identifying An Infestation
The first signs you can define for a termite infestation is the presence of winged flying termites. They are look-alikes of winged ants. You can witness these flying insects during spring or autumn.
The other methods to identify an infestation are:
Bubbling And Cracking Of Paint On Wooden Surfaces
When the termites feed wood from inside, their activity and air cause the surface paint to crack and bubble indicating an infestation.
Hardwood Sounds Hollow
When termites have infested the inside wood and maintain the outer structure, wood when tapped will produce a hollow sound.
Vertical Mud Tube-Like Structure
When a termite is in work they build tube-like structures on the wood to enhance their colony and breed. You can see vertical mud tube-like structure outside of the wood as a sign of their infestation.
DIY Traps To Kill Termites
There are many ways in which you can treat a termite. Some of the tried and tested methods which you can do it by yourself to kill the termites are listed below.
Orange Essential Oil
Orange oil extract can reduce your headache caused by termites. It contains an active ingredient call D-limonene. This active substance is proven time and again as toxic to bugs and insects.
Using this doesn’t kill termites in one go, but it reduces the wood-feeding capacity. All you need is to drill a small hole in the infested wood and put the oil into it.
This method will take around 4 days to 2 weeks to completely remove termites. Repeat the steps every 3 days once.
Heat Treatment
Termites cannot survive extreme hot or cold temperatures. They die when the temperature is above 121 degrees and below -21 degrees.
Placing wooden furniture in a hot area will kill them. Burning sun can help you with this. Also, to cool the object liquid nitrogen can be used.
Hydrogen Borate
Known as Boric acid is a pesticide which will kill the termites effectively. Using paint with borate on wooden surfaces will curb your chances of getting infected.
You can make a spray with water and hydrogen borate powder and spray it on the wooden surface. It ensures to kill all the termites in any wood product. But, be aware they cause a specific reaction in humans and pets. You cannot use this when you are staying in that place.
Essential Oils
Oils like clove oil, cedarwood oil when applied on surface will eradicate termites. Clove oil is proven to kill 100% of the termite infestation in 2 days.
Other oils you can use includes, vetiver, eucalyptus, cassia leaf, etc.
Paper Station
Termites feed on any form of wood and like anything that has origins from wood, like paper, cardboard, books, etc. You can place any one of these things near the infested area as a trap.
When termite discovers natural accessible food, they will plunge on it. You can destroy the trap by burning it when it is covered with termite as a whole.
On the other hand, make sure you use insecticides to get rid of the remaining termites.
Vinegar
Mix 1 part of vinegar with ¼ part of water and spray it on termite-infested area twice a day for 3 days. By 3rd day you can see termites dying.
Nematode Worms
Nematodes are the worms that feed on termites. There are many commercially available products, and you can introduce these worms to the infested area quickly.
These worms are proven as the best hack for getting rid of termites. All you need to do is mix this commercially available mixture with water and spray.
Nematode worms are 100% safe on humans, plants, and pets. So you need not worry.
Conclusion
It is always better to act a bit proactive than worry after the problem occurs.
Check for your home surroundings, any tree branch in contact with soil and moisture, clean dead plant debris and maintain proper hygiene inside the home.
It helps you to control most of the bugs and insect infestations. Being a little proactive can reduce your loads of work and save a lot of money.
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