Termites- Termite control and treatment with home remedies

Termites are responsible for billions of dollars of damage, every year. These common pests are known to destroy, liners of swimming pools, insulation, shrubbery, papers, living trees, and books, since wood is their primary diet. Home remedies for termites can put an end to the beginning of signs of invasion.

What is Termites?

Termites are soft bodied, small insects that feed on wood and other materials that contains cellulose. In the U.S. there about 45 species to worry about. Subterranean termites, is the most active species in the U.S., which construct their nest under ground. Subterranean colony can grow and accommodate as many as 5 million in a nest situated 5 to 20 feet below ground.

Causes and signs of Termites

Termites climb roofs, enter earth worm tunnel, squeeze through cracks and crevices of foundation, when they want to find food. A growing termite colony can quickly extend its damage pass the nest.

One of the first sign termites infested your home, is uncovering winged termites inside. Some termites infestation can go unnoticed because often times, many people confused winged termites with ants, which often swarmed around the same time of the year. However, termites differ because they have straight antenna, uniform waist, and wings of equal size. Ants, on the other hand, have constricted waist, elbow antenna, and fore wings longer than their hind wings.

Swarmers would gather around the doors and windows because they are attracted to light. Winged termites that are seen coming out of the based of the foundation wall or adjoining porches and patios, is another sign an infestation is brewing. The presence of mud tunnels along the outside and inside of a foundation is another sign of termites.

Termites treatment with home remedies

• When building a new addition to your home, avoid using wood, instead, opt for bricks, cement, and stones. If you must use wood, it is suggested to use one less desirable to termites, such as, juniper, redwood and cedar.
  
• Cardboard makes a decent trap for the termites, since termites are attracted to cardboard because it has cellulose inside. Spray three pieces of cardboard with water and sack it together. Place the trap close to where termites frequent and let it sit. After a few days have passed take it outside and burn it immediately. This home remedy will help cut down on the number of termites.
• Avoid hitting material made out of wood, when watering your garden or yard, such as, the shed, garage, wood fence, pile of wood, and sides of the house.
• Its probably a good idea to remove signs of food from outside your house, since termites dine on wood. Clear out any log lying around the house, clear out bush piles, relocate wood piles away from your house, and reconsider your use of wood mulch close to your home. Situate wood about six inches off the ground to axe termites activity.
• Termites needs moisture to survive. Make sure to fix water fixtures, leaky basement pipes, and reduce humidity and moisture throughout your home.
• Subterranean termites, which is the most prevalent species in North America, requires constant access to water. If they are denied water, their thin skin shrivels in dry air conditions. Above the ground, the termites build mud tunnels that shelter them from wind and provide humidity. Some homeowners have found these tunnels in their homes, such as, the basement. Destroy these tunnel to reduce termites access to your home.
• Clean you gutters, as gutters that have water and other materials attracts termites. Wet organic materials that collects in gutters makes a nasty meal for termites. Remove source of water from close to your home.
• Boric acid is one of the most important pest control because it dries out the body of the insects. Place in surrounding soils, termites holes, and other gathering spots.
• Cover vents, filters, and other large openings that leads inside the home with fine chicken wire or other screen material.
• Sealant and a caulking gun can keep termites intruders out of your home. Seal all gaps, cracks, and holes- especially doors and window frames. Fill in cracks in the foundation as well. Fill in the gaps around wires, outdoor facets and cables.
• Go to the basement or crawlspace with a flashlight or screwdriver in hand. Tap on any wooden material with the bigger end of the screwdriver. If the wood sound hollow, you may have a termite damage. Continue tapping support beams, floor beams, pillars and wall boards. If you spot a hole, stick the screwdriver inside, if if goes in easily, termites could have caused the hole. Keep an eye out for mud tunnels, termite droppings, and insect wings.

Assess the damage before attempting home remedies for termites, and then take swift action. Try the above home remedies to help treat termite problems in your home.