10 Ways to Get Rid of Termites
Termites are difficult pests to manage. Once you have an infestation you may feel as though you are unable to control the situation. Here at SOS Wildlife Control we want to offer some of our tips that may be helpful in managing termites if the situation is not too escalated. Continue reading to find a tip that may work for you!
Liquid termite barrier
Liquid termite barrier is a type of liquid poison. In this method you spread the liquid outside across the perimeter of your home, near the base and the foundation. Once a termite is impacted by the poison it is slow affecting, meaning the impacted termite can spread the toxicity to other termites in the colony before it dies. This slowly works through the colony. However, this method can be costly considering the amount that needs to be used across the perimeter of your home. It also is not an effective method for drywood termites or for infestation inside the home as it is meant for the outside of the home. It also could pose health risks to your family or pets if you are not careful.
Chemical Treatment
If you are struggling with a termite infestation inside the home, you may need to use a direct chemical treatment. Many are offered as foam which is much more effective for termites than spray. This method also kills both subterranean and drywood ants. However, there could be health risks involved if exposed. Additionally, this method is unlikely to be effective to kill the entire colony.
Poisonous Bait
Bait is a great way to attract termites towards their doom. When termites are attracted to the poisonous bait, they bring it back to their colony where the rest of the termites feast on it until their demise. However, although this may sound simple, it is not effective against drywood termites. There is also the risk of poison that is associated with poisonous bait. We recommend being very careful with poisonous bait, especially if you have any small children or pets.
Boric Acid
Boric acid is a powder and it is not as poisonous or toxic as the other options mentioned. This is also a low-cost method for dealing with termites. It impacts the termites by affecting their digestive system over the course of 3 – 7 days. Simply spread the powder around the impacted area. However, this method does not last very long and needs to be reapplied often. If using this outside it is important to remember that if it rains it must be reapplied as the rain will impact the effectiveness. It also is not very effective in dealing with a large colony of termites and will likely be ineffective in the long run if the colony is large.
Diatomaceous Earth
This method is the best choice for natural removal of pests and is completely non-toxic. It works by impacting their exoskeletons and leaves their bodies dehydrated which will eventually lead to their death. Simply spread the dirt around the affected area. Although it is a great way to manage a small colony, it will not be effective for a large infestation. Additionally, it is only effective for above ground termites, not subterranean termites.
Beneficial Nematodes
This is another method that is natural and non-harmful for humans. These nematodes are small roundworms that destroy harmful insects by invading its body and feeding off of it. They breed and multiply while they are feasting on the termites, which means more nematodes to destroy the termites. This particular method can only be used outdoors and cannot be used on termites that are inside the home. They are also unfortunately not effective on drywood termites.
Cardboard Trap
A simple and cost-effective way to manage a termite problem. With a couple large strips of cardboard, wet them and stack them on top of the affected area. The termites will be attracted to the wet carboard and feed off of the cellulose. Once the cardboard is overtaken with termites, bring the cardboard to a safe area and burn it. You may need to repeat the process multiple times to make a dent in the colony. Although this method may not be effective for removing the entire colony, it is a quick way to remove many termites at once.
Use Sunlight
If you have wooden items or furniture that is infested, you may be able to salvage it by placing it outside on a very sunny day. Termites thrive in darkness and humidity; therefore, the heat and the light of the sun can kill them. It is best to let the item sit in bright hot sun for 2 – 3 days. Although this method may be effective for salvaging an item, it is not effective for getting rid of large infestations.
Freeze Termites
If you are not in a sunny place or the season is off, freezing termites may work just as well. The freezing temperatures can kill of the termites that are feeding off of your wood item or furniture. However, this method does not work for an entire termite colony. In fact, termite colonies are not dormant in the winter, they typically hide underground and remain active in the winter. Be careful not to assume because it is winter that your termite infestation will go away.
Call the Professionals
Although there are different methods to get rid of termites, not all of them are necessarily effective, long lasting or particularly safe. It is important to consider the health and safety of yourself and your family when looking at treating termites. You also need to consider the effectiveness of the treatment to avoid increasingly difficult infestations that can completely destroy your home and pose safety risks to you and your family.
Termites are capable of causing real damage to your home. This puts you and your family’s safety at risk. Although we may want to take care of the situation ourselves, the methods are not always effective and are not always effective. It is important to catch termites early to avoid infestations becoming too severe and dangerous for your family. We highly recommend that you hire an experienced exterminator who has knowledge and experience in this field. SOS Wildlife Control cares about the health and safety of our customers. We use eco-friendly materials to remove the infestations in order to counter any adverse effects of chemicals. We provide long term benefits that prevent future pest infestations, all while keeping your and your family’s health in mind – pets included! If you are concerned that you may have a termite infestation in your home or your office, contact us for safe elimination that does not jeopardize your health and safety.
Call us at (647) 994-9453 or 1-800-981-0330 if you have any questions regarding pest removal.