Have you ever noticed small piles of dirt or tiny pathways in the corners of your house? If so, you’re likely dealing with a termite infestation.
Not only can this destruction to your home be an expensive problem to repair, but many traditional pest control methods can also negatively impact the environment.
Fortunately, there are more eco-friendly termite control ways to eliminate an unwanted termite problem while still protecting our planet – which we’ll discuss in today’s post!
Why you should worry about termites near your home
Termites are a group of pests that can cause significant damage to human dwellings. In the United States alone they are reported to cause damage to over 600,000 homes each year.
They are social insects and live in large colonies, often nesting in walls or other wooden structures inside your home.
Termites feed on cellulose, which is found mainly in wood but also paper or cardboard products. Termites will feed on dead wood, in particular. So one of the most effective methods to deter them is to remove this or have only treated wood at your property.
From the exterior of your house, they enter through small cracks around window frames, door frames and unfinished wood siding or trim as well as through any openings such as utility pipes or conduits.
As they eat the wood, this causes many potential problems, so treating any termite pest problems as they come up is imperative.
Different species of termites
Several types of termites are found worldwide; some common varieties include drywood termites, dampwood termites and subterranean termites.
Drywood termites prefer dryer climates, while dampwood termites thrive in more humid areas. Both require wet interior proteins for survival, so they tend to be attracted to moist areas where water outlets may have formed near structural timber supports such as floor joists, roof trusses and posts and beams.
Subterranean termites usually live underground but may come into dwellings when conditions become too hot and arid underground. Such situations occur primarily in the Southern U.S. states.
Here, subterranean termites can penetrate deep into building foundations if not controlled by an exterminator with specially formulated chemical pesticides to kill these pests before causing irreversible damage to your residence’s infrastructure and foundation structure.
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What property damage can termites do?
In addition to damaging existing structures within your home, certain species of termites (such as Formosan termites) will actively create new galleries within wood samples.
This could make furniture items near windowsills susceptible to termite damage over time if homeowners don’t take proper precautionary steps during ownership cycles.
Appropriate preventive measures include regularly treating known problem spots with termiticides. These are chemicals explicitly designed to kill these unwelcome invaders.
However, it’s always best to practice prevention tactics to stop larger colonies from forming for the protection of your home. This can be done by being sure to remove food sources, such as a dead tree, from the exterior of your home.
Use friendly methods for termite treatment
Keeping your home environment free from termites doesn’t have to be a hassle. There are plenty of natural products that can be used to create an effective treatment plan to eradicate these insect infestations.
Why not try planting some mint around the perimeter for a simple yet effective deterrent measure? Not only will it impede termites, but it’ll also provide a pleasant scent all summer long.
Another helpful way of preventing these pests is by using diatomaceous earth. It consists of tiny, fossilized particles that, when spread throughout your home’s interior and exterior, will create an aggressive barrier that prevents termites from entering.
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Install a termite barrier system around the outside of your home
No matter the type of home, creating a solid termite barrier system around the outside is one of the best ways to show your commitment to going green. It is an essential eco-friendly method that helps protect your home and the environment.
Installing a reliable barrier prevents potential damage from voracious critters before it even begins. Whether constructing a new structure or hosting existing ones, creating this layer of protection goes far beyond general maintenance.
Setting up a fortress against these persistent pests can reduce the chemicals used for extermination, improving air and water quality for everyone.
Overall, investing in such a system will help you become part of preserving natural and beneficial ecosystems everywhere.
Eco friendly termite control
Inspect your home for any damage
Termites are common household pests that can do a lot of damage undetected. They can sometimes inhabit your home for years before you detect any issues or destruction they may have caused.
It is essential to check for signs of termite activity on a routine basis to prevent destruction inflicted on your house.
Typical lookout spots include pictures, knickknacks, furniture, and any areas that could be prone to access by the pests, like window frames and walls.
If you detect anything unusual, you must immediately take action to repair any damage done by termites. Don’t wait until too much damage has accrued, or the daunting task of rehabilitating your home will become increasingly difficult.
Inspect your home often for signs of termite trouble and repair whatever is destroyed quickly!
Educate yourself about termites
Learning about termites and how they behave is key to protecting your home. Taking proactive steps to increase your knowledge is a great way to stay ahead in prevention, taking measures today that will help protect you tomorrow.
Doing your own research can be an effective tool in effectively safeguarding your house from potential danger.
With access to resources from pest control pros, DIY specialists, and state regulations all just a few clicks away, there’s never been an easier time to equip yourself with comprehensive knowledge of termite behavior and habits.
Having the correct information for awareness pays off long down the line when defending your property!
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Final thoughts
There are many eco-friendly termite control methods that you can use to prevent these pests from causing damage to your home.
These include using natural methods to deter them, installing a barrier system around your property, and regularly treating your property with a termiticide.
It is also essential to educate yourself about termites so that you can be aware of the signs of an infestation and take steps to prevent them from occurring in the first place.
If you’re concerned you have termites in your home, and you don’t feel confident treating it yourself, you can contact pest control services for peace of mind.
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