Termites are one of the pests homeowners fear most, and rightfully so. These critters cause extensive property damage every year, due to the fact that wood is their primary food source. If you think you may have a termite problem, make sure to act quickly but with a level head. Many people don’t expect to ever have a termite infestation but don’t be of the mindset that it can’t happen to you. Knowing what to do to get rid of these pests and protect your home from them in the future is thus very important.
While chemical pesticides are generally the first thing to come to mind for most people, they are not always the safest (nor most effective) option for pest removal; if you have pets or children, eco-friendly solutions will be in your best interest. Due to the fact that termites are one of the hardest pests to get rid of, you should consider hiring a professional pest control technician. They will have the equipment and experience needed to ensure your home is thoroughly protected and that the source of the problem is corrected for good.
Here are some helpful tips for determining whether you indeed have a termite problem, as well as greenways to effectively cure your home of a termite infestation.
Eco-Friendly Pest Control Options For Termites
- There are a number of ways you can tell if you have a termite problem, but knowing what to look for is critical. The first thing you will want to do is a thorough walkthrough of your property inside and out. If you have trees, be sure to check these out first, as this is where most termites come from. These insects shed their wings when swarming season is active, so if you notice an excess amount lying on the ground, you can be sure that a termite nest is somewhere nearby.
- If you notice sawdust near the wood in your home, don’t hesitate to contact a professional termite expert. This is the tell-tale indicator that termites have been feeding; since it is impossible to tell just how bad the damage is without performing a full inspection, you won’t want to waste any time in this respect. You will also want to check and see if there are patches of mud present on or around holes present in wooden beams, as termites typically attempt to cover up the damage they have caused.
- The best eco-friendly solution is prevention; there is no reason to use chemical pesticides if you can stop the problem before it starts. Keep firewood, logs, and other wood debris as far away from your home as possible.
- Termites tend to affect homes when the foundation comes into contact with soil. You need to make sure that there are at least 7 inches of clearance, as this is the only way to keep these critters from getting inside.
- Burn them out; heat is a great way to naturally get rid of any home pests, including termites. To do so effectively, you will need to heat your home up to at least 120 degrees. Given that this is impossible to do by simply cranking up the thermostat, you will have to hire a trained pest control technician for this job. The main benefit to using heat is that it will kill anything that is inside the house that isn’t supposed to be there; since termites tend to hide in walls and in hard to reach spaces; this is more effective than chemical-based applications.
- Baiting is a tried and true method that is used by most professional pest control technicians; it involves treating wood with a poison that is only harmful to termites; when the pests feed on the wood, they ingest the chemicals and subsequently spread them to their fellow colony members.
- Liquid nitrogen freezing is also a sound eco-friendly alternative; it will achieve the same end results as heat.
In the end, knowing how to treat termites is the first step in defeating and preventing them. However, due to the amount of damage a termite infestation can cause to your home, it is always recommended that you call a to help treat your termite problem.
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