Lauren Williamson
Nobody likes to pests and bugs in their house. But termites hold a special place of hatred in the hearts of homeowners. Termites have the capability to single-handedly ruin your house and damage its foundation.
Please understand that your house is your biggest investment, thus professional help is needed in case of mild to severe termite problems. You need to get rid of them immediately in case they have already invaded your home. To know how to get rid of them, you need to understand what they look like, what they prefer to eat, and how they live.
Looks
Termites look like ants but actually belong to the cockroach family. Termite larvae look similar to white ants but their looks also depend upon the cast they belong to.
Food
Termites mainly feed on cellulose in the wood. They can eat dry leaves, paper, dead trees, etc. and hardly attack living trees. Some species are known to eat linen, wool, and leather, but that’s very rare.
How do They Damage your House?
Termites can be found in any wooden structure like beams, cellars, chairs, etc. inside your house. They will eat your furniture from the inside and make it weak. Wooden termites often go unnoticed for several years; you won’t even know your house has a termite problem, forget about getting rid of them. The worst part is that the structures will appear undamaged but from the inside, they will be hollowed by termite tunnels. Sometimes, the structure collapses suddenly and only then the house owner comes to know that it was a termite problem.
Signs of Termite Infestation
Unfortunately, termites might have already ruined your entire house before you can even notice. Still, some signs can help you detect them early and take the necessary actions to prevent further damage to your home.
- Hollow Wood – Termites move through tunnels in wooden structures. Damaged wood produces hollow sounds when tapped.
- Discarded Wings – Termites conduct flights for mating. When they find a new colony, they shed their flight wings. These wings are a sign of termite presence.
- Blistered Wood – Blistered wood looks like it has water damage but it is actually termite damage.
- Mud Tubes – Mud tubes act as ‘termite highways’ and directly connect termite to food sources, making their commutation easy. Mud tubes are clearly visible and are one of the easiest signs to spot termite activity.
How to Get Rid of Them?
- Cardboard Trap – Take two wet cardboard pieces and put them on top of one another. Place them near a termite habitat. Termites will start feeding on the cardboard pieces, take the cardboard pieces and burn them. Repeat the process several times to burn all the termites.
- Call the Professionals – The best way to solve termite problems is by calling professionals. Whether you need a preventive method or need to get rid of an already existing infestation, professional pest control in Ipswich can take a look at the situation and do the needful.
- Beneficial Nematodes – Nematodes are worms that are parasites in nature. They search for hosts in garden pests such as termites and their larvae. They are known to kill the termite population within 48 hours. You can buy beneficial nematodes at a nearby garden supply store.
- Termite Control Products – You can buy termite control products at any nearby hardware store. Use bait to lure the termites and spray it with the termite control product.
- Sunlight – Termites cannot stand higher temperatures for long. Thus, exposing an infested structure to direct sunlight will kill them.
Final Words
If you want to get rid of termites, know the signs of early detection and take necessary precautions. In case the problem is severe, do not hesitate to call for professional help.
