How To Deal With Termites

Termites can be a huge problem especially in warm and humid climates but why are they such a big problem? These unwelcome guests find their way into our homes and then eat them away from the inside! This can cause a lot of damage which ends up costing a lot of money if not found and dealt with quickly.

Luckily if you find them quickly then you can save a lot of time and hassle by getting the exterminators in quickly. But how can you tell if you have a problem?

What Are Termites?

Termites are a particular type of bug that live and work in colonies similar to ants, bees and wasps. They are divided into different types of termite within the colony that has a different role such as the worker termite or the swarmer. These insects are highly efficient at their job of colonising and eating their way through the environment which is why they can have such a devastating impact on our homes.

There are four main types of termite to consider, the Eastern subterranean termite, the Formosan subterranean termite, the Powderpost drywood termite and the Florida dampwood termite. Each of these types of termite favor different places to live, different types of food and require a slightly different approach!

Common Signs You Have A Termite Infestation

If you know what to look out for then you can easily spot the signs of a termite infestation if you are looking out for it. Some of the main signs are as follows:

Frass

This is the poop that termites leave behind them as they eat through your home. These are small and oval in shape and even though they are small they are obvious because there are so many of them!.

Wings

It might not be the first thing you think about but swarmers are one type of termite in the colony and it is their job to fly around to find a new home and food source. Once they have successfully found their new home they drop their wings and start to mate so finding small piles of tiny wings could be the first sign of a termite problem.

Mud Tubes

Subterranean termites tend to live underground and use tube mad in the mud to move around so if you spot any of these tubes around the outside of your home then you could well have the start of a termite problem or if you are unlucky you may already have a larger problem to deal with.

Cracked and Peeling Paint

Termites tend to eat away at your home from the inside of the wood which can leave hollow spaces which can actually distort the surfaces. This is what can lead to cracked paint.

Hollow Sounding Wood

Every now and then tap on the wooden parts of your home and see if the wood sounds hollow. If so then this could be a sign of hollowed out areas where termites have been feasting.

What To Do If You Spot A Termite Infestation

When you spot any of these signs then the important thing is to act quickly as a termite colony can grow very large and cause a lot of damage if left unchecked.

There are lots of remedies you can use but these may not always work and if in doubt it is always best to call in the professionals. Exterminators are experienced and can advise you on the best methods and solutions and may save you a lot of money in the long run.

• Orange Oil – Spray orange oil onto wood as a preventative measure or to help with a problem when you spot it.
• Temperature – extremes in temperature can kill off termites. But be careful as working with hot water or other methods can be highly dangerous so its best to leave this one to the professionals.
• Repellents – These usually come in liquid form. Sprays can deter termites and can stop the spreading of an infestation and there are also liquids that can kill termites instantly. Make sure you are careful with these as they can also be dangerous to people too if used incorrectly.
• Bait stations – These can work well but may not get rid of your problem completely. If you put foods a termite loves in a certain area they will be attracted to it and if the bait is coated in a termite poison they will head back to their colony, die and then pass the poison onto the rest of the colony.
• Call an exterminator – A professional exterminator is the best way to deal with a termite infestation and are the best way to ensure that your termite problem is dealt with as fast and efficiently as possible.