How to get rid of termites

Termites might be a vital part of the general well-being and health of forest and woodlands, but the sight of them in homes will send shivers through the spines of every homeowner. These insects are considered the worst insect pest to have around, as they are capable of ruining the structure of a building within just a few years if left unchecked.

From the beams of your window to the roof, doors, and foundation of your house, these insect pests have all it takes to weaken them all. Provided that part of your home contains cellulose, it’s automatically prone to a termite infestation. Apart from their destructive nature, termites are also very difficult to detect even after thorough inspection by a professional. The only time homeowners get to discover their presence is when they swarm. Have you just found out that you have termite problems in your house and you are looking for every possible way to get rid of them? Right here, we will be sharing all you need to know on how to get rid of termites and keep your home free from them.

How to kill termites

To get rid of termites, the first thing you need to do is to remove all the available food sources that might be attracting termites to your home.

In most cases, this is usually a firewood pile, paper debris, and any other thing that might be a source of cellulose. This is considered the first step to making sure you don’t have to deal with termites anymore. When it comes to getting rid of termites, you can either use some chemical methods or use some natural methods. Whichever you choose to use, make sure it is the most suitable for your kind of environment and it won’t cause any adverse effects. Though chemical methods might seem to be the most effective method to use to get rid of termites, you need to be careful in order to prevent it from running off into your water source. To prevent this, the best you can do is follow the instructions on the usage of the chemicals.

Chemical methods of getting rid of termites

1. Spectracide Terminate Stakes

This particular method works effectively when used in the right way. Spectracide Terminate Stakes are a termite removal device that is installed at different locations in the house.

These stakes do more than get rid of termites, immediately it detects a termite colony it pops out of the ground just to notify you that there are some termite activities underneath the ground. The only problem with the use of these stakes in getting rid of termites is that it needs to be replaced 2x per year.

2. Ortho Home Defense Max

This particular chemical repellent works well and it offers a guarantee of 5 years when used to treat a particular area. It’s in a liquid form, hence it is stored in 32 gallons of spray. The active ingredient is Bifenthrin. It is often used by many professionals to help get rid of termites. You can also try using it if you feel you can handle it properly.

Unlike other chemical repellents, no mixing is required on your part. All you have to do is spray the chemical on the area you suspect the termites to be.

3. Termidor Foam

If your termite infestation is an indoor problem, the best way to handle the situation is by using Termidor foam. This chemical deterrent is meant for on the spot applications and can be applied to your roof, carpet, furniture, and even walls.

This method of removing termites is very effective and you are not going to have to worry about termites in your home anymore.

Natural termite control

Perhaps you feel the use of chemicals to get rid of termites is not a good idea. Other natural methods can be used to get rid of termites.

However, you need to understand the fact that these methods are not as effective as the use of chemicals.

The following are some natural termite deterrents that you can use to get rid of termites from your home:

Use wet cardboard – This particular method works well if the termites are visible and is in a particular place. To use this method, all you have to do is soak the cardboard in water and then place it where the termites are and then leave. By the time you get back, the termites would have started feeding on the cardboard. Once you notice that, you can remove the cardboard along with the termites on it and then burn it.
Expose the infested wood to bright sunlight – Another way to get rid of termites is to allow the sun to slowly work its magic on them. The heat from the sun will gradually desiccate and finally kill them.
Use nematodes – Lastly, you can also use their natural predators to eliminate them. Nematodes feed on termites, hence they can help you get rid of them quickly. These natural predators are readily available in stores.