A termiticide treatment will not only kill termites in the ground, but will protect your house from any termites trying to burrow into it. Create a trench around the perimeter of your house, then spray termiticide in the trench to create a natural barrier.
Storing firewood and other wooden materials away from the house and up off the ground will steer termites away from the structure. Creating a buffer around the house of pine straw or gravel may prevent subterranean termites from entering the home.
While it can be difficult to prevent termites completely, using natural methods such as spraying orange oil or orange peel to deter pests around your garden, spreading diatomaceous earth, or spreading boric acid near entry points can all help to prevent termites from entering your home or destroying your garden.
Essential Oils: Orange oil and neem oil can kill termites slowly over time by inhibiting their ability to shed their skin or lay eggs. Just mix two cups of water with a couple drops of dish soap and about 10 drops of your chosen oil. Shake it up and spray it on infested wood and materials.
Although DIY may be tempting, any amount of damage should not be treated yourself. While Google may tell you that DIY home pest control is a quick-fix, termite treatments should be left up to the professionals. Here are three reasons why termite treatments should be left up to the pros.
A termite bait station works slower than liquid treatments but the process is just as effective. However, using termite bait stations may not stop termites from entering your home since it doesn't provide a barrier between the structure and the outdoors.
Termite Bait Stations
Termites will take the bait while foraging, and bring the poisonous bait back to their colony, infecting the other termites. However, it could take months for termites to come across the bait stations, so it may take multiple weeks to eliminate the colony.
While termite treatments can effectively eliminate termite colonies, termites are always likely to return. By understanding the factors that can impact the likelihood of reinfestation and taking preventative measures, homeowners can help reduce the risk of termites returning to their homes.
Termites never stop eating wood because they feed on wood to survive. However, it has been found that termites do not like the smell of cedarwood, geranium, tea tree oil, cinnamon, clove bud, and garlic oils. Termites have antennae to smell and communicate for the food source instead of a nose like human beings.
Install Pea Gravel around the Foundation of Your Home
This suggestion is only for homeowners serious about preventing termites. Install 8-10 inches of pea gravel next to the foundation of your home to keep your mulch from touching your home's foundation. Termites have a terrible time tunneling through pea gravel.
If you suspect your home is infested with termites, you don't need to burn your house down, you just need the right help to remove the colony. Another thing you shouldn't be doing is using insect spray to solve your termite infestation.
As the colony matures, they can do significant damage, destroying a home's structure in five to 6 years. The Formosan termite is one type of problematic subterranean termite, and they reproduce so rapidly that they can destroy a home in as little as one year.
Termites are not dangerous and they do not affect people much. Even though they are capable of biting and stinging just like any other insect, they can do no harm to humans. Termites are not known to be a health hazard to humans because they do not transmit diseases that are harmful to people.
It is rare but possible for some termite species to damage a house beyond repair, if the infestation is left untreated for many years.
Termite Colonies Are Huge!
Termites can reproduce extremely fast, this is the second reason why it's so hard to get rid of termites for the average homeowner. Some queens can lay several thousand eggs per day, which means a colony is constantly growing.
However, it seems that two plants, catnip and vetiver grass, have shown promise in studies as termite repellents. According to the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center (LSU AgCenter), research shows that vetiver grass contains compounds that repel Formosan subterranean termites.
Leaky pipes, improper drainage, and poor airflow all create moisture issues that attract termites. Dampwood and subterranean termites in particular thrive in humid environments. While dampwood termites prefer water-damaged wood, subterranean termites are unable to live unless surrounded by enough moisture.
Subterranean Termite Entry Points
They typically enter homes at ground level or below, but they can build mud tubes to enter spots several feet above ground level. One of the most common ways termites get in your home is through wood-to-ground contact, including doorframes, deck posts, and porch steps or supports.
Yes. Swarmers from colonies infesting homes may get trapped indoors after surfacing and fly around looking for an exit. Additionally, since termites are attracted to light, the pests may congregate near open or loosely sealed windows and doors and end up inside.
How often should I treat my home for termites? To avoid infestations, homeowners should have their home inspected annually for termites. Termite treatments last anywhere from 5 to 13 years depending on the type of treatment used and any signs of current activity.
– When maintained properly a termite bait system is a long term approach to termite protection. Proper maintenance and monitoring will allow the system to protect a home for many years, without the need for a retreatment. Cons: – Termites must find the stations before they can be controlled by termite baits.
In summary, baits are useful and effective tools for managing termite infestations. Regardless of which product/system is used, they will not work by simply hammering some stations into the ground and walking away.