What Kills Termites In Your Home? Are termites becoming a nuisance in your home? If so, there are a few things you can do to get rid of them. The most important thing, however, is to identify the type of termite you’re dealing with. There are two types of termites: drywood and subterranean.
Drywood termites live in wood, while subterranean termites live in the soil. Knowing which type of termite you’re dealing with will help to ensure that you get rid of them as quickly as possible.
Drywood termites are usually found above ground, where they can be seen flying to and from their nests—which look like little mud tubes on the surfaces of beams, walls, and other wooden objects.
They can also be detected by the damage they cause to the wood they infest, which includes holes in the wood, along with galleries of mud and droppings.
Subterranean termites are found both above and below ground. They build their nests in the soil, where they can gain access to the wooden parts of the building they infest (via tunneling, usually in moist soil). Their nests resemble a dirt mound that contains coarse sawdust-like material.
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Here are 10 ways to kill termites in your home:
1. Pour Boiling Water
Pouring boiling water onto an infestation of termites is probably the most common way to get rid of them. Pour it directly on the termites, or pour it into their nests. Hot water will kill them instantly because it destroys their exoskeletons. Without the exoskeletons, the termites can’t breathe and they will die due to lack of oxygen.
2. Use a Termite Baiting System
Baiting systems are a great way to get rid of subterranean termites. They work by placing bait stations around the perimeter of your home, and then filling them with a poisonous substance that the termites will eat. The poison enters their system and eventually kills them.
3. Use a Chemical Barrier
A chemical barrier is a great way to keep termites from entering your home. You can create a barrier by spraying a liquid pesticide on the foundation of your home, around the perimeter of your property, and on any trees or other wooden objects near your home. The pesticide will kill any termites that come into contact with it.
4. Use a Fumigation Tent
If you have a large infestation of termites, you may need to use a fumigation tent to get rid of them. A fumigation tent is a large plastic tent that is placed over the building or property that is infested with termites. The tent is then pumped full of a poisonous gas that kills any termites inside.
5. Termite Foam
Termite foam can be used to successfully eliminate an infestation of drywood termites. It’s applied directly onto the infested areas, where it will disperse through the wood and kill the termites via poisoning.
6. Use a Vacuum
If you have a small infestation of termites, you can get rid of them by vacuuming them up. Use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment to suck the termites up off the surface of the wood.
7. Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a natural substance that can be used to get rid of termites. It’s made up of tiny fossilized diatoms (a type of algae) that have sharp edges. When the diatoms come into contact with the exoskeleton of a termite, they pierce it and cause the termite to die.
8. Heat Treatment
If you have a large infestation of termites, you can get rid of them by using heat treatment. The termites will be killed when the temperature inside the building or property reaches about 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
9. Use a Professional Exterminator
If you have a large infestation of termites, or if you’re not comfortable using any of the methods listed above, you can always hire a professional exterminator to get rid of them. Exterminators have access to a variety of different methods and products that can be used to eliminate termites.
10. Remove the Source of the Problem
If you have a termite infestation, the best way to get rid of them is to remove the source of the problem. This means fixing any leaks in your roof or plumbing, repairing any damage to your foundation, and treating any wood rot. If you take care of the problem areas, the termites will have nothing to eat and they will eventually die.
Here are several ways you can avoid termites in the future:
1. Keep Your Exterior Doors and Windows Painted
Termites can enter your home via poorly painted exterior doors and windows. They aren’t able to eat paint, so if all of your exterior doors and windows are painted, they won’t be able to get into your home.
2. Locate Entry Points
Make sure that you know where all of the termites are entering your home. You can do this by locating all of the cracks in your foundation, tiles, and other entry points. Once you’ve located them, fix these areas to ensure that they can’t eat their way into your home.
3. Keep Your Gutters Clean
If your gutters are clogged, water will pool near your home’s foundation. This creates a perfect environment for termites to live and breed in. Make sure to keep your gutters clean so that the water can flow freely away from your home.
4. Trim Trees and Shrubs Near Your Home
Any tree or bush near your home could be infested with termites. You should trim any branches that are close to your foundation so that they’re not touching it.
When trimming trees and shrubs, you should also cut back any roots as well as the soil around them. If you can’t trim them back, you can use a barrier made of metal or plastic to keep them from reaching your home.
5. Install a Termite Barrier
A termite barrier is a product that you can install around your home’s foundation to prevent termites from entering. It’s made up of a material like copper or galvanized steel, and it’s installed flush with the ground.
What Kills Termites In Your Home? – Conclusion
Termites can be a real problem, but there are several ways that you can get rid of them. You can use foam, vacuum, diatomaceous earth, or heat treatment to kill them. You can also hire a professional exterminator.
If you’re having trouble getting rid of the termites, you should remove the source of the problem. You can also install a termite barrier to prevent them from entering your home in the future.