How to Get Rid of Termites from Your Home
A termite infestation can cause massive damage to your home. You may need a lot of time and money to come back from the kind of havoc these minuscule pests can wreak. You catch a termite spread in its early stages if you inspect your home periodically, and the next step is pest extermination. While expert termite control in Dubai is your best bet to take out the complete infestation, there are some other methods you can try to limit termite invasion in the meantime. Read on and learn how to get rid of termites.
A Homeowner’s Guide to How to Get Rid of Termites
It’s always when you least suspect termites that these critters are sneakily taking over your home. Contrary to one of the most common pest control myths, termites can enter and spread throughout homes made out of concrete as well. Inspect your home every once in a while, and check for these signs of termites:
- Pale yellow powder (termite excrement) around any wooden structure, including furniture.
- Lengthy tube trails in the soil, especially near the foundation of your house.
- Hollow sound when you knock on a piece of furniture or door/window frame.
Termites spread so speedily that a lot of damage may already be done by the time you detect these pests. Waste no time moving onto treatment. Strong chemical treatments are best carried out by a pro, so it is ideal to stick to more natural methods if you want to know how to kill termites.
White Vinegar Spray
White vinegar can eliminate termites, though it is not ideal for complete termite control due to minimal direct contact. Vinegar is one of the best natural repellents because it contains acetic acid, which damages the delicate exoskeletons of termites and causes dehydration. When you spray concentrated vinegar directly on the termites, it can kill them. However, there are two drawbacks that you should note:
- The effect decree of the vinegar loses strength as it spreads and becomes diluted.
- It only affects termites that it directly touches, leaving the hidden tunnels unharmed.
So, even if you get rid of visible termites, it does not ensure that you will get rid of the entire colony. It can grow back to its original strength. That said, white vinegar can be the best way to get rid of termites in case of a small infestation. Professional pest control is the most reliable option to tackle larger colonies.
Cardboard Bait Stations
How do you get rid of termites by baiting? Cardboard traps are a great way to kill termites in a natural way since this kind of paper stock can also serve as termite food. All you need to do is place your cardboard baits (ideally, use slightly damp, ridged sheets, rolled up or spread out) in the most affected spots. Once termites swarm it, you can take it out and burn the cardboard to eliminate the ones caught inside.
This kind of termite control draws in ground termites that feed on soft, wet paper. Drywood termites may need a different kind of bait or fix.
Once more, though this method works and is much better than spraying harsh store-bought stuff on your own, cardboard baits might not wipe out the full hidden nest. You may need to call a Dubai Municipality approved pest control company for best results. Still, baits can be a smart way to check if termites really are in your home.
Nematodes Feeding
Nematodes, also known as roundworms, are tiny and invisible to the naked eye. These attack termites as they inject bacteria into them, which results in the termites dying. Nematodes serve as a potent natural solution because of their parasitic act, targeting termites while being safe for humans, pets, and any wooden stuff you have.
Depending on where you live you can find nematodes at retail outlets or online when you search for how to exterminate termites with these creatures. Simply place these small worms in areas where termites are present, and wait for these to do their magic.
It is important to know that while this method is an expert’s pick when we talk about how to get rid of termites, the immense numbers of a typical termite colony can hinder the effectiveness of nematodes. While nematodes can kill termites, their effectiveness for both wood and soil treatment may be limited due to the sheer numbers and determination of termites.
Consider the size and location of the termite infestation in your home before you opt for natural control methods. A massive termite infestation needs the hand of trained pest technicians, who know how to treat termites using a mix of chemical and natural methods.
Applying Boric Acid
Boric acid can be a great answer to ‘how to get rid of termites’, but how well it works depends on many factors. A paste out of this stuff works better on dry wood termites that are burrowed in, which boosts their contact with treated spots. Apply a boric acid paste right on the termites, or using bait with boric acid can help with small groups.
That said, boric acid is less effective for soil than it is for wood treatment. These are common pests in Dubai homes that also live deep in the soil and get around via mud tubes. This makes it hard to make sure they touch the boric acid. Boric acid needs time to work, and only the bugs that touch it will be killed while the rest of the colony stays safe.
Diatomaceous Earth Paste
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a safe, non-toxic way of getting rid of termites. Sprinkling DE where termites are found dries them out and kills them, making it a good way to fight pests. You can also mix this stuff with water and put it on wood to help stop termite trouble.
Diatomaceous Earth features old, crushed algae and creates a barrier when you spread it on affected parts of your home, such as walls, roofs, and floors. This makes DE one of the best preventative measures as well in a war against termite infestations.
Of course, when it comes to how to get rid of termites, DE is not a one-and-done technique. It is crucial that you check and re-apply it now and then to make sure it still works well against termite swarms.
Final Thoughts: The Best Termite Treatment?
DIY termite fixes like diatomaceous earth, boric acid, and wet cardboard traps may help a bit, but only for small infestations. These ways can kill a few pests on the surface level, but they will not wipe out the whole colony.
If you want long-term safety and to wipe out the complete infestation from your home, it’s best to call in the pros who are well-versed in how to get rid of termites in an eco-friendly way. At Pest Control Dubai, our technicians leave no stone unturned: we treat the soil, put up bug-proof walls, or use fumigation where necessary (with all safety precautions) to make sure the job gets done right. Give us a call today to book an inspection by a trained pest technician to keep your home safe and secure your peace of mind.
