10 Step Guide to permanently remove Termites from your Home

Termites pose a significant threat to your home as they can quietly consume valuable wooden furniture and, quite literally, turn it into dust. Unfortunately, by the time you realise you have a termite infestation, the damage has already occurred. However, with effective termite treatment at home, you can exterminate these pests that typically infiltrate homes through wall panels, ceilings, or external walls and may also contribute to health issues such as allergies and asthma.

But, before you understand how to get rid of termites permanently, you’d do well to know…

What are the different types of termites?

Termites are tiny insects that are organised into colonies; they consume dead plant material such as lumber, wood chips, soil, and cardboard. Termites can be broadly classified into drywood and subterranean termites, both of which can potentially inflict significant damage on wooden structures.

• Subterranean termites require moist environments; they live in the soil, are destructive, and prefer wet wood.
• As the name suggests, drywood termites invade and dwell within dry wood structures such as walls, wooden beams, and rafters and complicate the home-based termite treatment.

How to detect a termite infestation

• Termites often go unnoticed, but if you observe signs such as powdered wood residues around wooden furniture and detect a hollow sound when you tap the furniture, you can be fairly sure you’re facing a termite infestation. 
• Watch for termite droppings. These resemble the colour of wood. Or look for wings in areas where the furniture shows chips or cracks. 
• Additionally, the mud-tube formations on your walls also indicate subterranean termite activity.

How to get rid of termites permanently

Quick and effective termite solutions towards eliminating termites are crucial to safeguard your wooden furniture, flooring, and wall panels, especially during their peak activity in the monsoon season. Note that termites are commonly found in storage spaces, basements, kitchens, and bathrooms.

1. Bring in a professional

If you have a large termite colony, consider a professional exterminator because they will provide you with the best termite treatment at home. Consider selecting a service that uses non-harmful chemicals. Additionally, observing all standard precautions when conducting pest control operations within your home is crucial. You can book a termite treatment appointment with Urban Company here.

2. Use BWR-grade plywood

Opt for premium BWR (boiling water resistant) grade plywood when constructing new furniture. This plywood undergoes chemical treatment and possesses exceptional attributes such as resistance to moisture, fire, and termites. Synthetic resins establish robust bonding between each plywood layer, guaranteeing elevated durability and resilience against potential damage.

3. Control dampness

Termites are attracted to areas with high moisture levels. If you have damp walls, look for water seepage and fix it urgently. Excessive moisture or water leaks inside and outside your house can attract termites and provide them with the conditions they need to thrive.

4. Avoid Contact between furniture and soil

Do not place wooden furniture directly on garden soil or any soil surface, as direct contact with soil can create a pathway for termites to infiltrate and damage the wooden furniture. Always position the furniture on a tiled or concrete base. 

5. Bring in Sunlight

Use sunlight as a natural disinfectant by continuously exposing termite-infested furniture to intense sunlight for two or three days. This is one of the easiest ways to get rid of termites permanently 

because they tend to thrive in moist and dark conditions and will not survive when exposed to sunlight.

6. Create a cardboard trap

One of the easiest termite treatments at home is to create a cardboard trap by stacking a couple of wet cardboard strips in the affected area. Note that termites are drawn to cellulose found in both cardboard and wood. Once termites accumulate on the cardboard, promptly dispose of, or burn it. Repeat the process. Remember that this approach may not offer a permanent solution but can decrease termite numbers. 

7. Apply Boric Acid

You can get rid of termites permanently with boric acid. It is a commonly used treatment for termite control and can be applied by spraying a borax solution on the affected area or coating wooden furniture. Create a solution by mixing 1 teaspoon of borax in 250 ml of hot water, transfer it to a spray bottle, and apply it where needed. The termites might disappear after a few applications.

8. Use Aloe Vera Extract

Extract natural aloe vera juice by crushing the entire plant leaf and soaking it in water. This extract can be rubbed onto wooden furniture, forming a barrier that termites cannot cross.

9. Spray Vinegar

Develop a mixture of one-part white vinegar and four parts olive oil and apply it to the wood. This combination also creates a barrier that repels termites.

10. Apply neem and orange oil

Orange and neem oils prove highly efficient for treating wood termites. Orange oil contains a compound called d-limonene. It swiftly eliminates termites upon contact. In contrast, neem oil becomes effective when ingested by termites. For optimal results, consistently pour or spray these oils over affected areas to permanently eliminate termites.

However, none of these DIY hacks are as effective as a professional termite exterminator. You can book your appointment with Urban Company here.