Image credit Roy Buri from Pixabay
A colony of termites can tear through approximately one foot of 2×4 in six months. That may not seem significant but imagine if the foundations of your home were missing a piece this size. The smart move is to have a professional perform a thorough termite inspection.
In short, the damage would actually be done to several pieces of wood and the result would be structural weakness and perhaps instability. The faster you get the exterminator to locate and eradicate the termites the better.
Of course, you’ll still be faced with the cost of repairing the damage, the sooner you do this the better.
It is preferable to prevent the problem from occurring. This is a possibility, there are several things you can do that will prevent termites from attacking your home.
Concrete The Edge
Termites get into your home through the mud that surrounds your home. They can bury through this to get into your basement or foundations and enjoy the wood. All you have to do is walk around the outside of your home and you’ll see the telltale mud tubes; holes in the mud.
Cover one or two, if they reappear you have active termites.
However, to prevent this mode of access you should concrete the edging of your home. Termite can’t bury through concrete unless it is of poor quality. Make sure the concrete is done to a good standard.
While you’re inspecting the mud and replacing it with concrete, take the time to check for gaps that termites can get through. They can easily get through a gap as slim as a credit card. If you find a gap seal it up.
Vinegar
This is a very effective termite killer! Mix half a cup of vinegar with half a cup of lemon juice and put the mixture in a spray bottle. You can spray termites directly with it or simply cover the area where you think they’re living or coming and going. The mixture will kill them as soon as they touch it.
Borax Powder
This is a great summer deterrent. Sprinkle the powder around the perimeter of your home. The termites will come into contact with it if they try to enter your home. The borax powder gets into their exoskeleton and dehydrates them, killing them before they can start creating a nest.
It’s also effective if placed around a known nest site or you can mix it with a little water and spray the infected area.
Orange Oil
Orange oil literally dissolves the exoskeletons of the termites, they’ll lose moisture and dehydrate, dying very quickly. It’s actually derived from orange peel so you can make your own if you wish.
Spray the oil directly onto termites, surround their nest, or create a perimeter line that they won’t be able to cross.
Of course, you’ll need to re-spray regularly.
Wet Cardboard
You may be surprised to learn that wet cardboard is an invitation to termites, it is the perfect food for them. This is actually a good thing as you can put it on the ground and attract the termites in the area. Then spray the cardboard or burn it, to kill the termites on it.
As always, it’s worth speaking to your local pest control experts for guidance as they’ll confirm he type of termites you’re dealing with and how effective your approach has been.
