How To Deal With Termites?

Termites are any group of cellulose-eating insects whose social structure, despite having developed independently, bears striking similarities to that of ants and bees. Termites are sometimes called "white ants," despite their distant ancestry from ants. Because cockroaches are the closest relatives of termites, according to phylogenetic research, termites are sometimes grouped with mantids in the order Dictyoptera.

While all indoor pests are annoying, some go beyond simple irritation. For example, termites can eat away at the wood structures, insulation, foundation, and even pool liners of your property. Even worse, the majority of home insurance plans do not provide coverage for termite-related structural damage. When termites attack, prompt and efficient treatment is essential. To identify any problems before the damage is done, you should be aware of the warning indications of a termite infestation. 

What Attracts Termites?

Termites are primarily drawn to wood because of the cellulose it contains. Moreover, termites are drawn to gaps in building facades, piles of firewood or tree stumps close to your house, leaks in roofs or air conditioners, moisture and garbage in gutters and pipelines, and wood that is in close proximity to the foundation of your house.

What Are The Signs Of Termite Presence ?

How do you identify whether you have termites if you can't get a good enough look at the insects to determine if they are ants? These are the obvious indicators of an infestation. 

• Clicking: Odd, tiny clicks inside your wall could be a sign that termites are there. To warn other termites in the colony of impending danger, soldier termites beat their heads against wood and tremble.
• Damaged wood: Dry wood termites are able to eat cellulose by boring into wood. It might be time for a more in-depth examination if you see tiny holes in the wood in your home, such as baseboards, windowsills, flooring, or door or window frames.
• Shedded wings: Termites gather their wings into piles before setting out to start a new colony. Small clumps of wings may indicate an underground termite infestation in your home.
• Frass: Baseboards, windowsills, door frames, and other wood surfaces may all have termite droppings, often known as frass. Frass has an oval form and frequently resembles a tiny grain.
• Hollow wood: Termites start to hollow out the wooden structures in your home as they eat away at the interior of the wood. Termite damage may be audible if you bang on wood and hear a hollow or mild thudding sound.
• Live insects: Obviously, in addition to any of these indicators, if you spot a thick-bodied, winged termite, it's probably time to start treatment or contact a pest control company.
• Mud tubes: To link their food supply, wood, and the soil they live in, subterranean termites construct mud tubes. You most certainly have termites if you detect pencil-sized tunnels skimming the surface of your land.
• Paint damage: Termites chew and distort your home's wood, letting moisture seep into the surrounding area. This frequently causes paint surfaces in and around the house to bubble or peel. 

How to Identify Termites?

Although termites and ants can be confused, there are a few important distinctions between the two insects.

• Antenna shape: Termites have straight antennae, but ants have bent antennae.
• Physique shape: Ants have a narrower waist and a more slender physique than termites, which are large and straight in appearance.
• Colors: While most termites are light brown to tan in hue, ants can be red, black, or dark brown.
• Wing length: Termites with wings and flying ants both have two pairs of wings. On the other hand, flying ants have one larger and one smaller pair of wings, whereas termites have equal-sized pairs. 

How To Address A Termite Infestation?

The Environment Protection Authority Victoria  estimates that termite damage costs business and residential owners more than billions annually. You should start treating your home as soon as possible if you want to stay out of this statistic. Infesting dwellings in the Australia are mostly caused by two termite species: subterranean termites and drywood termites. Although they each have separate nesting locations on your property, both termite species pose a threat to your house. Knowing the kind of termite colony you're up against is crucial before taking any action because different termite species call for different treatment approaches. Make your home a no-pest zone. Contact All Pest today!

How to Get Rid of Drywood Termites?

Drywood termites inhabit wooden constructions to feed and build their nests. Their colors vary from light brown to deep yellow, and they might have wings. These insects are larger than their underground counterparts, reaching up to half an inch in length. Victoria and other warmer coastal regions are the natural habitat of the drywood termite. Small colonies of up to 2,500 individuals are home to drywood termites. Sprays, spot treatments, and essential oils are common ways to cure drywood termites: 

Boric acid: By dehydrating termites, the conventional insecticide boric acid can be sprayed into infected areas. Use caution while using this method indoors as boric acid can be harmful to pets and children if consumed.

Neem oil: For mild termite infestations, these essential oils work best as organic pesticides. By preventing termites from successfully reproducing or losing their skin, both oils can gradually prevent and eliminate infestations, while they are not recommended for big infestations or immediate relief. In a spray bottle, combine two cups of room temperature water, a few dish soap drops, and nine to twelve drops of your preferred oil to make a homemade treatment. 

Repairing wood: Drill holes in the infested wood about 10 inches apart, or until you feel your drill or screwdriver hit the nest, to destroy the drywood termites' homes. After applying termiticide to the holes, patch them up with putty. High-quality hardwoods are not ideal for this procedure; it works best on painted or polished wood. 
Think about hiring a reputable extermination company if you need to get rid of a big infestation or don't want to handle pest control yourself.

How to Get Rid of Subterranean Termites?

Subterranean termites burrow underground, as their name implies, and enter your home by mud tunnels. Termite pesticides, termite baits, termite barriers, and even parasites are some of the alternatives available for treating underground termites. Compared to drywood termites, subterranean colonies have between 100,000 to 1 million members.

These are the best DIY methods to get rid of subterranean termites:

Beneficial nematodes: Although these parasitic roundworms are little, they possess formidable termite-hunting abilities. Within a few days of burrowing inside a termite, helpful nematodes poison their host. Better yet, a lot of other garden pests are naturally parasitized by these organisms. If termites are a problem in your outdoor spaces, treat the afflicted areas by sprinkling potting soil, water, and beneficial nematodes.

Insecticides: Termite foams—like Termidor—are helpful instrument for getting into the gaps and crevices where termites hide. Termites are killed by the chemical residue of pesticide left behind by the foam after it evaporates, filling the space and killing the termites instantly. Termites that are inaccessible to liquid or foam can also be killed with dust agents. When applying pesticides, take care to read all directions and keep them away from children and pets. An additional benefit of using foams for pest control is that they frequently eradicate termites and ants, providing you with an extra line of defense.

Termite baits: Termite baits, like other baited traps, entice unwary bugs that will return to the colony carrying the poison as food. In order for bait stations to function, these insects must be killed while they are molting.

Termite barriers: To build a barrier, you can spray liquid termiticides like imidacloprid and fipronil on the wood chips, mulch, or dirt around your house. When termites eat most liquid termite barriers, they die. The pesticide will travel from termite to termite upon contact with the barrier, gradually destroying the colony.

Can you get rid of termites by yourself?

It is sometimes easy to eliminate termites on your own in situations involving lesser infestations. Try a few of the do-it-yourself techniques listed below:

• Using foam or liquid termiticides on the outside of your house.
• Employing helpful nematodes or essential oils as an organic remedy.
• Putting up baits for termites to gradually destroy the colony.
• Applying a layer of boric acid to the impacted portions of the house.

Keep in mind that not all of these solutions are secure to use near children or animals, and larger infestations would probably call for the services of a reputable business.

DIY vs. Professional Termite Control 

At-home treatment is a good choice if you've identified your issue promptly and would like to save money. But keep in mind that termite damage can swiftly result in serious or permanent structural damage to your house. While do-it-yourself techniques can be effective in the early stages of a termite infestation, professional bait systems and fumigation may be necessary for larger infestations. Before your property sustains significant damage from the bugs, it can be worthwhile to hire a professional exterminator if the colony is huge or if you are unsure about your ability to handle the infestation on your own. In the end, you'll save money and time. DIY can be a home remedy but seeking professional help is the most effective way of getting rid of termites. Ready to protect your home? Schedule your pest inspection today!

Conclusion 

Termites are cellulose-eating insects with a social structure similar to ants and bees. They are often found in wood, gaps in building facades, firewood piles, leaks in roofs, moisture in gutters, and wood near the foundation. Termite infestations can cause structural damage, and most home insurance plans do not cover termite-related damage. Identifying termites involves checking for clicking, damaged wood, shedded wings, frass, hollow wood, live insects, mud tubes, and paint damage. Termite damage costs businesses and homeowners billions annually, and treating homes promptly is crucial. Both subterranean and drywood termites pose a threat to homes in Australia.

Drywood termites, larger than their underground counterparts, inhabit wooden constructions and can live up to 2,500 individuals. Common treatments include sprays, spot treatments, and essential oils. Boric acid, neem oil, and drilling holes in infested wood are common methods. Subterranean termites burrow underground and can be treated using termite pesticides, baits, and barriers. Beneficial nematodes, insecticides, baits, and barriers can be used to eliminate termites. DIY methods can be effective in smaller infestations, but larger infestations may require professional help. While DIY treatments can save money, they can result in serious or permanent structural damage. Professional bait systems and fumigation may be necessary for larger infestations. Hiring a professional exterminator can save time and money in the long run.

Content Summary:

• Termites are cellulose-eating insects with a social structure similar to ants and bees.
• They are sometimes referred to as "white ants" due to their distant ancestry from ants.
• Termites can cause structural damage to wood structures, insulation, foundation, and pool liners.
• Termites are drawn to wood due to its cellulose content.
• They are also drawn to gaps in building facades, piles of firewood or tree stumps, leaks in roofs or air conditioners, moisture and garbage in gutters and pipelines, and wood near the house foundation.
• Clicking: Termites beat their heads against wood and tremble to warn other termites.
• Damaged wood: Dry wood termites can eat cellulose by boring into wood.
• Shedded wings: Termites gather their wings into piles before starting a new colony.
• Frass: Termite droppings, often known as frass, may be found on baseboards, windowsills, door frames, and other wood surfaces.
• Hollow wood: Termites start to hollow out wooden structures as they eat away at the interior of the wood.
• Live insects: If you spot a thick-bodied, winged termite, it's likely time to start treatment or contact a pest control company.
• Mud tubes: Subterranean termites construct mud tubes to link their food supply, wood, and the soil they live in.
• Paint damage: Termites chew and distort your home's wood, causing moisture to seep into the surrounding area.
• Termites have straight antennae, while ants have bent antennae.
• Ants have a narrower waist and a more slender physique than termites.
• Termites are light brown to tan in hue, while ants can be red, black, or dark brown.
• Termites have two pairs of wings, while flying ants have one larger and one smaller pair.
• Known for their large size and presence in wooden constructions.
• Habitat: Victoria and warmer coastal regions.
• Treatment methods: Sprays, spot treatments, and essential oils.
• Boric acid: Used to dehydrate termites, but can be harmful to pets and children.
• Neem oil: Used for mild infestations, but not recommended for big infestations.
• Repairing wood: Drill holes in infested wood to destroy the termite's homes.
• Hire a reputable extermination company for large infestations.
• Burrow underground and enter homes through mud tunnels.
• Treatment methods: Termite pesticides, termite baits, termite barriers, and parasites.
• DIY methods: Beneficial nematodes, insecticides, termite baits, and termite barriers.
• Use of foam or liquid termiticides on the outside of the house.
• Use of beneficial nematodes or essential oils as an organic remedy.
• Setting up baits for termites to gradually destroy the colony.
• Applying a layer of boric acid to the affected areas of the house.
• DIY treatment is effective for immediate problem identification and cost savings.
• Professional bait systems and fumigation may be necessary for larger infestations.
• Hiring a professional exterminator is recommended for larger infestations or if the infestation is large.