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Structures made out of wood, or that contain wood parts are usually prone to termite infestation. In fact, termite infestation accounts for a loss of $5 billion in the USA each year.
The figure is quite disturbing if you look closely. However, not many homeowners are really aware of the wreck that these tiny creatures can create.
Believe it, there is some serious damage that these tiny infectants can do to a home. So much so, that if left untreated they can even cause a building to collapse. Thus, leading to both- property loss and life loss (if someone is inside the structure).
It is, therefore, vital for every homeowner to understand how to identify a termite infestation. Not just that, but also what caused it in the first place, how to get rid of them, and how to prevent them from reinfesting a home.
So, keep reading to know more.
How to know if your home is infested by termites?
First things first, before everything else you need to make sure if your home is infested by termites. These little creatures give several signs that indicate their presence.
For starters, if you notice droppings near your doorways or wooden cabinets, it might be a sign that termites have already infested your home.
Besides, you can also hear these creatures clitter at night. Usually, these creatures create nickering sounds when they move around inside the wood.
If you suspect that termites are present in your home, you can start checking the structures around. For instance, you can tap on window and door panes to see if the sound echoes. Hollow wood does not sound solid but creates echo internally, which is technically known as acoustic sound.
And on careful inspection after it, you can be sure that your home has a termite infestation.
What attracted the termites to your home?
It is necessary to understand that wherever there’s wood, termites are attracted. However, there are certainly other factors at play that can further increase the chances of termite infestation.
Damp or moist surroundings
There are primarily three types of termites- dry wood, damp wood, and subterranean. As the name suggests, dry wood termites thrive on dry wood. On the other hand, damp wood and subterranean termites thrive on damp wood and moist surroundings.
You should make sure that there are no leaks in your plumbing and sewer systems. Any leak would mean damping of the surroundings and thus a feast of termites.
Apart from damp and moist surroundings, you might also bring along termites with you when you buy lumber or untreated wood. Thus letting in the dry wood termites, also.
Open cracks in the structure
Even if you cannot find any damp areas in and around your home, you might still face a termite infestation. These termites can easily enter your home through tiny cracks and openings.
You should thoroughly check your structure for any open cracks. As it mentions here, https://www.geckopest.com/tucson-termite-control/, termites only need wood to survive. And they can even carve their way through it.
So, even if there are no open cracks or openings in the structure, you can still be infested. To put this into perspective, if any of your wooden structure’s part is in contact with soil, you can expect termites to enter your home, And thus infest it.
How to treat the infestation?
There are primarily two types of treatments that you can seek for termite infestation, namely- liquid and bait. Here’s a brief about both types of treatment methods, to help you decide which one will be more effective for your particular case.
Liquid treatment
Also commonly known as termiticide treatment, a liquid is usually injected around the foundation of a structure. Since most of the termites usually enter into a structure through the soil, a liquid treatment is helpful in creating a barrier.
However, there are some termiticides that are also lethal for termites. Thus, not only seizing them from entering the structure but also eliminating the ones that are already inside the structure.
A liquid treatment is mostly used where an extensive solution to a termite infestation is needed.
Bait treatment
The other form, as the name suggests, uses a bait prepared in a slow-acting base, which is lethal to the termites. Bait sites are prepared, and the bait is usually placed inside a cylindrical tube around the house are near the mud tunnels.
Bait treatment is usually preferred for a spot or regional treatment. The termites eat the bait and share it with their fellow colony members. Thus, spreading throughout the colony.
Sometimes, bait treatment is used in combination with the liquid treatment for better results.
Choosing the right type of treatment is very important. Generally speaking, bait treatments are less effective, unless the infestation size is very small.
And, how to prevent reinfestation?
So, now that you know the possible causes leading to termite infestation and treatments that can help get rid of these infestants, you might also wish to know how you can prevent reinfestation in the future.
Simply speaking, you must take care of your surroundings and the structure, particularly concerning moisture and water leakage.
Besides, you can also ask your pest control service provider to inject termiticides into wooden structures. As already mentioned, these liquid treatments also create a barrier against termites entering into the structure.
Some other precautions…
While it might seem simple, for you can get the chemicals and treatment compounds easily at any local store, it is not recommended to treat your home yourself. Perhaps, the professionals have specialized equipment and tools, specifically designed for this purpose.
For instance, they may use sonic and infrared detectors to identify the locations of infestation. Likewise, they would also have supplementary items such as bait stations and long-needle injectors to deliver the treatment at the right spot.
The gist…
Termites are one of the leading causes of property damage in southern regions, particularly, where the atmosphere and surroundings are usually damper. However, they can still be found all around the world, and effective treatment methods and preventive measures are the only things at hand to deal with them.
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