Here are some of the best ways to get rid of termite infestations without hiring an exterminator.
What Are The Signs Of A Termite Infestation?
Termites are small insects that enjoy feasting on wood. Because of this, they typically invade homes, eating away at the wooden framing, trim and siding. There are many kinds of termites, each with particular attributes and preferences, but they are all inclined to show identical signs as invade your home. This post is going to discuss how to tell if you have termites in your home and how to get rid of them if you do have termites.
Visible Pinholes
Termites create minute pinholes as a means to exit walls and move away from their colonies. They could also make gaps for entering the walls or maneuver around your house. Tiny pin holes found in drywall are typically a good indication of a termite invasion.
Many termites are going to fill in the holes to safeguard their colony inside, but this is not always so. These indentations are one of a few onset signs of termites in your drywall.
Mud Tubes
When termites dig underground, they produce mud tubes or tunnels. These tunnels tend to be about as wide as a pencil. When you have a termite invasion, you are going to notice mud tubes around your home’s foundation.
Don’t forget, nevertheless, that mud tubes are going to last a long time out in your yard, so they aren’t inevitably an indicator of an active termite invasion. You can take off the top of these tubes and check them each day to see if you notice any termites.
Wall Paint Is Flaking or Bubbling
There are tons of reasons your paint might flake off or bubble, and a termite invasion can surely be one of them. Wall termites require moisture to thrive, so as they get inside the interior of your walls, they are going to bring some moisture with them.
That moisture could react with your painted drywall surfaces, causing flaking, bubbles, cracks, or peeling.
Walls Sound Hollow
If you think termites could be inside your walls, lightly tap on the surface where they could be. If you notice a hollow sound, there is a slight chance termites have eaten away at the walls inside wood framing.
Compare the sounds on various walls to make sure the hollow noise is distinctive. If the termite damage is considerable, the wall might also crumble inside as you tap on it.
Dust At The Bottom Of Walls
Seeing dust collecting on top of baseboards, or where your walls meet the floor, may not be a noticeable sign of termites. Look and see if the dust is darkish in color, somewhat like black pepper—this might be termite dust.
This dust is a mixture of wall dirt, wooden shavings, and termite excrement, and it is going to fall and collect on the floor as termite holes in the walls emerge.
Wood Trim Is Damaged
Termites feast on wood across your home. This is most often noticeable on wooden trim and paneling. Look at any of the wood pieces around your home for minute lines that might indicate termite tunnels.
There is going to usually be many lines in different directions, comparable to a maze.
Shifting Foundation
Should termites be in your house for an extended period, they can cause considerable damage. This damage could make your home move or settle in reaction to being eaten away. Indicators of structural damage in a home includes drywall cracks above doors and windows and doors and windows that don’t close correctly.
Ways To Get Rid Of Termites Without An Exterminator
There are several DIY methods that can be used to eliminate the presence of termites. Let’s take a look at a few of the most common methods below.
Heat Treatment
This treatment involves heating the air inside the home to a high enough temperature to kill the termites. The air will need to stay on for quite some time so be mindful of the fact that excessive heat can damage your home. This method works best when the termites happen to be insolated in a pretty small area.
Spot Wood Treatment
Beyond the heat treatment, all the remaining treatments are spot wood methods. Each treatment involves finding the termite colony and apply the solution to the area. This may not be the best choice, though, whenever you are dealing with a full-on infestation.
Orange Oil Solution
Orange oil contains D-limonene, which creates the orange smell everyone is familiar with. The D-limonene is toxic to termites and various other insects. With this method, you must know exactly where the termites are located, then inject the oil into the wood. Make sure you remain cautious when working with this oil, which needs to contain high D-limonene content.
Liquid Nitrogen Mix
This mixture essentially does the same thing as a heat treatment, only at the opposite end of the thermometer. However, this can be a dangerous mixture that could result in skin damage. In the majority of cases, termite professionals should handle this method instead of homeowners.
Boric Acid Treatment
The application of boric acid is another great DIY method to get rid of the unwanted termites. Once you have determined the termites location, inject the acid into the wood and you should notice immediate results. Boric acid can be quite toxic, so be sure not to ingest or inhale it. It may also cause some irritation to the skin.
How Long Does It Take To Get Rid Of Termites In Your House?
The amount of time it takes to get rid of termites ultimately depends on the type of treatment, species, and infestation level. The first step toward getting rid of any unwanted pests in your home is identifying the issue and calling for professional services.
The main types of termites are as follows:
- Formosan Termites.
- Drywood Temites.
- Subterranean Termites.
- Dampwood Termites.
Subterranean termites are undoubtedly the toughest species to get rid of, taking several years’ time. On average, though, most other types will be eliminated within 90 days.
Termite Control Phoenix Metro Area
Poor Boy Termite Control can solve all of you termite issues. We only deal with termites as the name implies. We use thermal imaging, with no drilling or guessing. At Poor Boy Termite Control we detect termites and treat them. If you have a termite infestation, Call Poor Boy Termite Control at (480) 994-4240 and schedule an appointment before the problem gets worse!
