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· 20 Dec 2021

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How to get rid of termites

Termites are the most frequent wood-eating structural pests. Termites are "social insects," which means they live underground in a nest or colony near a tree, stump, woodpile, or other food sources. A brown-colored monarch and queen rule each colony. Termites are often referred to as "white ants," but they differ from hymenopterans (bees, ants, and wasps) in a number of ways. Termites eat cellulose, which is found in wood, grass, leaves, humus, herbivorous animal faeces, and vegetative materials, among other things (e.g., paper, cardboard, cotton).  Let us understand termites closely and also learn how to get rid of termites?

Kinds of termites
There are commonly 3 kinds of termites based on their locations.
•    Subterranean: Subterranean termites build their nests in the soil to get moisture, but they also build their nests in wet wood. They attack any timber that comes into contact with the earth. They can develop mud tunnels or tubes to reach timber many feet above the ground if the wood does not come into contact with the earth. These tunnels can be 50 to 60 feet long to reach the wood, and they usually enter a structure through expansion joints in concrete slabs or utility entrances. Termites feed on wooden foundations and proliferate in the soil beneath dwellings.
•    Drywood: Unlike their subterranean counterparts, dry wood termites do not require moisture to flourish. They dwell and infest dry wood such as walls, siding, and eaves.
•    Dampwood: Dampwood termites live in high-moisture wood and are members of the Kalotermitidae and Hodotermitidae families. The majority of dampwood termites do not require soil contact. Dampwood termites are uncommon in homes and other man-made structures because the wood in these structures is normally dry.

Tips to get rid of termite
Here are some things you may take to avoid a termite infestation:
•    Sunlight exposure: Termites spread in damp and in gloomy conditions. Allow two to three days for your wooden furniture to sit in the sun. Termites are unable to endure the heat and will die rapidly. This technique also helps to remove moisture from the furniture, which helps to prevent further infection.
•    Make a strap out of cardboard: Because cardboard is made of cellulose and has a woody odour, termites are drawn to it. Dampen the stench with water and place it near the affected area to make it more noticeable. Within a few hours, termites are drawn to the open cardboard box. Throw away or burn to get rid of termites.
•    Boric Acid Spray: Using a borax powder and water solution, spray the afflicted areas. It's a non-toxic treatment that eliminates termites from cabinets and other wood furniture after just a few treatments. Using this strategy in conjunction with the cardboard trap will improve your results.
•    Treatments with Oil: Orange and neem oils are also quite useful. When termites come into touch with the former, they are quickly killed by a chemical called d-limonene. Neem oil, on the other hand, has an immediate effect if consumed by termites. Spray these oils over the problem areas several times for optimal effects.
•    Choose the location of your house mindfully: Termites can wreak havoc on your home's foundation by establishing colonies beneath it. Building your home far enough away from your lawn or garden is the easiest way to avoid this. According to experts, there should be at least 18 inches distance between your house and your garden.

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