Positive Pest Management Exterminators provide the removal and prevention of termites and the damage they cause. No matter how beautiful and pest free your home may appear, proper pest control must be applied and maintained to prevent an infestation.
Termites may be small but the damage they cause is definitely not. These dangerous pests work silently and can almost go unnoticed until the damage they cause becomes apparent. This means that termites might be living and thriving in your home while you remain totally clueless, as the value to your home takes a major blow.
The reason why termites gravitate into houses is because all houses provide the kind of food termites thrive on such as cellulose-based plant material. Regardless of the construction type of the house, termites will always find a way to get to the cellulose food. Termites feed on dead plants and trees and also the dead parts of living trees. In other words, termites feed on dead wood. This is why they will be drawn to your furniture, books, shelves and even your house’s foundation.
Termites may all appear the same, however there are different types of termites that could be working on invading your home. Let’s briefly take a look at them.
Firstly, the subterranean termites live in colonies below the ground. These pests build a network of tunnels to reach above-ground sources of food. These termites depend on moisture for survival. The subterranean termites have a queen that lays thousands of eggs in its lifetime.
The dry wood termites on the other hand are most likely found in your attic wood. They create colonies in wood and they thrive on very little moisture.
Damp wood termites are found in damp and decaying wood on the soil where they build colonies. You can tell that damp wood termites have worked on wood if it looks smooth and cleaned out.
And lastly we have Formosan termites. These little guys are referred to as introduced subterranean termites because they nest in the soil. These pests will invade structures from the soil through wood or the mud tubes that they build. The difference between Formosan termites and their subterranean counterparts is that they are able to build structures that retain moisture. Therefore, they don’t need to return to the soil for moisture.
Positive Pest Management Exterminators have the professional expertise needed to handle termite infestations of any kind. They are used to dealing with infestations and are therefore unlikely to miss any spots that could leave your home damaged causing a loss of property value later on. However, if you would like to give it a try on your own, here are a few tips.
There are both natural and chemical ways to get rid of termites. If you prefer the natural route, you need to get your hands on beneficial nematodes. Beneficial nematodes are unsegmented worms that are used to kill garden pests such as termites. These unsegmented worms burrow into hosts, in this case termite larvae, causing the death of their hosts.
UV light harms these worms, be sure to place them in the garden after sunset or before sunrise. Another natural way to rid your home of these pests is by using a cardboard trap. Cardboard contains cellulose which as earlier mentioned is what termites feed on. In order to set the trap for the termites, you need to spray the cardboard so that the smell of the cellulose becomes more distinct. You should then place the cardboard trap near a termite-infested area. The termites will be attracted to the cardboard giving you the chance to catch them and burn them off.
Further, be sure to rid the surroundings of your home of damp wood and clear any bushes as this exposes the termites to sunlight which kills them. Water leaks in your house should also be addressed as this will eventually attract termites.
Boric acid is another way you can rid your home of termites. Boric acid is the main ingredient found in many termite insecticides that you buy from the store. Boric acid kills termites by shutting down their nervous systems and dehydrating them. Also, create bait stations by spraying wood with boric acid and then placing it in different parts where you think termites might be. Be sure to check these bait stations regularly and replenish the boric acid as required.
Orange oil is another method for eliminating dry wood termites. Orange oil is an extract that is gotten from orange peels. In order for it to work, be sure to drill holes into the infested wood and pour in the orange oil through the holes. Some people are allergic to orange oil so it should be used with care. Orange oil kills the termites through direct contact or by starving them to death as it deters feeding.
Heat fumigation is another effective way of killing termites. These pests will die when at temperatures of above 120F for 35 minutes or more. You might want to do this with the help of a professional such as Positive Pest Management Exterminators.
Chemical methods of ridding your home of termites include using arsenic dust which is very effective as it kills all members of the colony even if only a few come into contact with it. This is because through their interactions, termites are passing on the arsenic trioxide to the others. Termites who feed on the victims of the arsenic dust also die. This method might be limited to licensed professionals depending on your state of residence. For instant results, many recommend using Permethrin dust.
A good alternative to spot treatment is electrical shock. 90,000 volts of power are used to electrocute drywood termite colonies. For this, you need to use an Electro-Gun.
If you find yourself at the point you are turning to chemical methods for ridding your home of these pests, you might want to call a pest control professional.
