Did you know that the total weight of all of the termites in the world is more than the weight of all the humans in the world?
Having a termite infestation can expose your home to thousands of termites at a time and they keep populating until they die.
Eradicating the problem often involves the use of chemicals, but there are natural termite control solutions you can try. Keep reading to learn them.
1. Release Nematodes
One natural termite control solution involves the release of nematodes. These are parasitic worms that eat termites.
Release nematodes in a colony so that they can dine on termites that are wreaking havoc on your home.
You can find these worms at local chemical supply stores or pet stores that sell termite solutions. Online stores also sell nematodes so you can easily shop around to find the best price.
Despite what some homeowners believe, nematodes can tackle your termite issue without introducing another pest into your home. Plus, you don’t have to worry about treating termites with chemicals that can cause safety issues.
2. Keep It Sunny
You can get rid of termites by exposing them to sunlight. Keep window curtains open to let all the sun’s rays in if you suspect a termite problem in your home.
Termites avoid sunlight because direct exposure can kill them. You can carry furniture, wood logs, and other infested items into your yard to expose termites to sunlight and prevent them from spreading around the home.
If you already find termites in your home, this solution is not always so simple. You can rent or buy UV lamps that work just as well as the sun’s rays would. Shine the lamps towards the infestation.
Termites might go deeper into your home when you do this, making you unable to reach them at all. Because of this, sunlight is not an effective solution for complete eradication in certain cases.
3. Apply Botanical Treatments
Another one of the natural termite control methods is to apply botanical treatments. Termites can be killed with orange oil that contains d-limonene. This compound can kill termites as soon as it touches them.
Apply orange oil to termites and the affected area of the home. This method works best on dry wood termites.
Neem oil is also a botanical treatment used to treat termites. This oil won’t kill termites on impact, but termites that chew up wood with neem oil on it will die.
To get rid of all of the termites, you might have to apply neem oil more than once.
4. Sprinkle Borates on the Area
Sodium borate or borax powder is another natural solution for killing termites. Sprinkle this powder on the affected area and the termites to get rid of them.
You can also make a solution using the powder mixed with water to easily spray the affected areas.
Painting this solution on an affected area also works as a termite repellant. This works best for new construction homes because it acts as a base for protection.
5. Liquid Nitrogen
If you spot a termite infestation in the early stages, liquid nitrogen might work to eradicate the problem.
Use liquid nitrogen to spray inside the pinholes that termites make in their tunnels. The product will then go into the tunnels and kill termites. It’s effective, but only as a spot treatment.
Liquid nitrogen won’t be able to penetrate the whole house so it’s not a suitable solution for everyone.
6. Get Rid of Mulch
Mulch is great for flowers and trees in your garden, but it shouldn’t be around your home. Getting rid of mulch in your yard is a prevention method that can get rid of termites before they destroy your home.
To a termite, a bed of mulch is food. Mulch is made of cellulose which termites find delicious. When it rains and mulch contains moisture, it’s even more attractive to termites.
Although you can’t prevent rain storms, make sure you don’t allow water to pool around the foundation of your home. Standing water that pools after each rainfall causes termites to congregate.
If you do notice pooling water, you might need to clean your gutters or install a new drainage system that carries water away from your yard and into a community drain.
In most cases, removing the mulch from around the house can eliminate the threat of termites completely.
7. Pest Control Services
Chemical termite solutions are highly effective in getting rid of termites, but they aren’t always safe for you, your family, and even your pets.
However, pest control services can utilize natural solutions to get rid of termites in the home. Not only will you get the best treatment plan when you hire professionals, but you will also save yourself some time.
If your problem is too big, the experts might suggest a chemical solution for your home. In this case, you might have to leave the house for a few days until the issue is resolved and it’s safe for you to move back in.
Natural Termite Control Options to Try
Natural termite control methods are safer for homes looking to eradicate a pest problem. However, each of them works a bit differently and might not take care of the entire issue.
You can try releasing nematodes, exposing termites to sunlight, applying bacterial treatments, using borates, and much more.
Termite prevention methods are important, but if you do end up with termites, it’s best to hire pest control services to help.
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