A termite infestation can be a sly, unexpected and very dangerous occurrence in your home. This is why you always need to be aware and mindful of all the signs that tell you termites have invaded your property. Once you’re aware of a possible termite spread, you need to tackle the issue as soon as possible.
A termite infestation is silent but ferocious, as millions of these insects are capable of gnawing through all types of wood and they may do it 24 hours a day. This is why pest control services Melbourne citizens use know to act quickly when customers ask for help in this regard.
Why are Termites Difficult to Spot?
These quiet irritations are obviously minute, cause damage without noise or disturbance and they usually eat wood under your house or in your walls. This means it is difficult to spot an infestation simply by glancing at the exterior or inside the rooms.
Often, by the time you do eventually spot the damage, it is so extensive that it may be irreparable. Severe damage can cause an entire house, roof or wall to collapse, which won’t only cost a lot of money to fix, but can also put your safety at risk.
Read further as we discuss some home remedies and methods of how to spot and eliminate a termite infestation.
How to Detect Termite Infestations
Since it is, as mentioned, difficult to spot termite infestations directly, you could look for signs that hint at a possible spread. Some indications you can look our for:
- Wood dust, called frass, along your flooring, walls and around your furniture
- Small holes, that may require a magnifying glass to spot, around the bottom of wooden objects
- Mud tubes along your walls
- Hollow wooden floorboards or foundations
- You can spot termites near light sources, or dead termites near small puddles of water
- Cracks along walls
- Your doors or windows getting stuck is a sign that the wood has been eroded by termites
Knowing when to ask for a termite inspection Melbourne residents have had to look out for these clues. You can also read below for some precautions and remedies to consider when you’re trying to manage termite infestations or prevent another one.
Tips on Termite Infestation Prevention
Manage Damp Areas
Termites thrive in areas or environments that are damp and moist. Extra sunlight and exposure to heat sources such as fans or heaters can go a long way in drying up certain areas. This will be one step towards eradicating these pests because it removes their comfortable environment from which to multiply.
You can apply heat treatment by applying hot air or increase the temperature of the problem areas to over 100 degrees. This heat should be maintained consistently for up to an hour, after which the termites should be dead.
Apply Relevant Oils
Neem oil is the go-to oil when trying to eradicate a pest problem. This oil is extracted from the seeds of a Neem tree and acts as a natural pesticide.
It kills a wide variety of insects, from spider mites and garden pests to white flies, fungus gnats and of course, termites. Neem oil’s bitter smell acts as a natural repellent that eliminates most minute insects.
You can simply inject Neem oil into the affected wooden objects to wipe out a termite population, without facing other harmful side effects from chemicals.
An alternative would be to use clover oil mixed with water. Mix a few drops of clover oil with half a cup of water before pouring it in a spray bottle. Spraying this in the affected areas can eliminate some of the problem.
Lastly, you can also use orange oil, which is considerably acidic and contains limonene, a natural chemical that is often used in cleaning products. It is also a compound that is sure to kill off small insects like termites.
Apply Certain Acids
Most households have acids used for cleaning or cooking. White vinegar is found in most kitchens and can also be used to combat a termite spread. If you also have lemons in your kitchen you can use it to make a simple termite-killing-concoction. Mix two table spoons of white vinegar with a squeeze of lemon juice and half a cup of water to make this compound.
Another solution would be to apply boric acid to the affected areas. This natural acid is extracted from certain soils, water masses and plants and can be bought from any pharmacy without a prescription.
Boric acid comes in the form of a powder and is a reliable pest-killing poison because it attacks the insects’ nervous systems, before killing them entirely. Simply sprinkle this powder in affected areas and you’ll kill off termites and weaken the colony.
Final Word
You need to be wary of termite infestations before it becomes too severe, otherwise it may reach the point of no return. Don’t wait until it’s too late! So, always have these relevant home products on stand-by in case you need to fight termites and have your pest control experts on speed dial.
Also Read: Raised Bed Gardening: A Practical Guide to Growing Vegetables and Herbs at Home
