Termites can be a major problem for your Gilbert property. Once these pests invade your home or business, there are several things you should avoid doing if you want to eliminate these insects completely.
The Problem With Termites
Termites are small insects that range in color from tan to brownish color. They are oval-shaped and known for their ability to tunnel through wood. Subterranean termites prefer moist or rotten wood, while drywood termites find themselves at home chewing through any dry wood structure.
Because termites can infiltrate your home without you noticing at first, they can cause significant destruction to your property. As they tunnel through wooden structures, they can leave them hollow and at risk of collapsing, which can cause significantly costly repairs. They may also cause floors to sink, doors and windows to become stuck, or damaged furniture.
Many homeowners who discover an infestation will choose to try and handle the problem on their own using home remedies for termites. However, these remedies can be less than effective and are very hit or miss.
- Over-the-counter products can be effective on termites, but it is difficult for homeowners to eliminate every termite due to how far these pests tunnel into the internal structures of your home. The products can also be very trial and error or fill your home with chemicals unsafe for children and pets.
- Orange oil is a popular termite remedy, but it only really works on drywood termites. The oil is injected into the wood and can kill termites on contact, but it may take a while to eliminate an infestation, in which time the termites have moved to a different area of your home.
- Vinegar is another popular item that homeowners use to battle termites. While vinegar is acidic enough to kill termites on contact or seep into the wood and potentially deter termites, it is not usually possible for homeowners to target every termite in their home with this mixture, allowing an infestation to continue, despite your efforts.
Instead of investing in home remedies for termites, you can utilize some of the following prevention tactics to deter these pests from entering your property in the first place.
- Limit soil to wood contact around the outside of your house to prevent termites from moving out of your yard and into the internal structures on your property. You may also want to line areas of soil that touch your house with rocks, putting up a barrier between the yard and your home.
- Store all firewood and woodpiles a good distance from the house to prevent termites from crossing from these areas into your home.
- Be vigilant about repairing and replacing moisture-damaged wood that is either outside or inside your home. You should also take care to repair any leaks around your property, as these can attract termites.
The Best Termite Solution
The only way to truly get rid of an active termite infestation is with professional assistance. The experts at All Clear Pest Control can provide you with the best termite control out there by giving you an in-depth inspection of your home that pinpoints any area that termites have infiltrated. They will also give you effective, safe solutions that fully eliminate these pests and allow you to take back your home from these destructive insects.