5 Simple Steps To Get Rid Of Termites For Good

Out of all the household pests, termites are, without doubt, the most formidable. They can ruin and destroy the foundations of your home in a matter of a few years and can often reoccur again and again, much to the distress of the home owner.

Here are 5 simple steps on how to locate a termite infestation, take effective extermination action and then preventative precautions, all while saving money on professional help.

1. Find the infestation

The first thing you must do if you are worried about termites is hunt for an infestation. The most common warning signs are holes, sags and hollows in floors and woodwork in your home. This will indicate that termites are eating away at your foundations, and that immediate action is required.

2. Identify which termites you have

There are two types of termites that are known to cause serious issues for homeowners subterranean termites and drywood termites. You can distinguish the difference between them by the location in which they live: subterranean termites can be found in both dry and moist areas around your home, such as foundational wood and compost piles.

Subterranean termites are most common in warmer regions in the United States, namely Texas, Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, California. Drywood termites, on the other hand, reside only in wood, and can be found anywhere, in any state.

3. How to get rid of termites yourself

Once you’ve identified whether your problem pests are subterranean termites or drywood termites, you can commence with the extermination process. Self Control Pest says that for many people, DIY pest control is the first port of call as it saves money. Here are some methods you can use to tackle the termites yourself: – Make a cardboard trap: take strips of cardboard, stack them on top of one another, and place them where you suspect there to be a termite infestation. Because termites feed on cardboard, they will be attracted to your DIY cardboard stack, which you can then take outside and burn repeatedly. (Note: this method is a more temporary solution, and does not necessarily fix the termite problem for good.)Burn or freeze the termites: if the termites are living in a household item that can be taken outside (for example, a wooden stool), place it in the garden in direct sunlight for a few days to burn the termites, or alternatively place it in a freezer to kill the termites. Use beneficial nematodes: beneficial nematodes are a species of worm that act as natural parasites to termites and other garden pests. By putting them in a termite infestation they will cause death within 48 hours. Use professional products such as boric acid: spray boric acid onto infested areas for immediate effect.

4. Call in professional assistance

If the problem persists, the next step is to call in a professional extermination service they will tackle the problem for you. Remember to get quotes from multiple exterminators, as the service can be pricey and lengthy.

5. Prevent future termite infestations (and save money)

Most people who have experienced a termite infestation will experience a reoccurrence at some point sometimes every year. This can cause great distress and can come at great cost. And while there are things you can do to help prevent a reoccurrence of infestation – keep the building dry as termites are attracted to moist environments; seal up cracks and drafts; use pest repellent – there is no guarantee the pesky pests won’t return.

However, this problem doesn’t have to break the bank, as there is a more cost-effective solution. If you fear you may experience a reappearance of termites, you should consider getting a termite bond – a contract or guarantee between homeowner and their exterminator, whereby after an initial extermination future treatment comes at no extra cost.

Hopefully, by following these steps you can minimize the chances of termites causing you serious issues, and maintain a happy, healthy home.