Key Takeaways:
- Bait: Use bait to tempt termites in and eliminate the whole colony by spreading the bait’s effects throughout the colony.
- Boric Acid: Use boric acid in areas where you’ve noticed termite activity. Boric acid disrupts their nutrient absorption. Additional treatments may be needed for complete eradication.
- Liquid Treatment: Liquid termiticides will create a barrier that kills termites on contact, offering long-term protection against infestations.
- Orange Oil: Natural orange oil, which contains d-limonene, kills and deters termites; it is effective for prevention but should be paired with other methods.
- Nematodes: Introduce nematodes, natural predators of termites, as an eco-friendly alternative. Use them in conjunction with other treatments for better control.
- Diatomaceous Earth: Sprinkle diatomaceous earth in areas with termite activity; it damages their exoskeleton and facilitates moisture loss, aiding in pest control.
- Eliminate Moisture: Fix leaks, check roofs, and maintain ventilation to reduce moisture, making your home less appealing to termites.
- Eliminate Entry Points: Seal gaps, store wood away from your house, and keep vegetation trimmed to prevent termites from entering your home.
Termites can conceal themselves in your home until you notice their destruction. The silent destroyers feed on cellulose and wood until they cause significant structural damage. That’s why regular professional pest control is so important.
Bait
One of the most effective and reliable methods of eliminating termites is bait. If you can’t find the main nest site yourself, bait means some termites will carry the bait back to the colony after feeding on it, where its effect then spreads and eliminates the entire colony. The impact of the bait may be delayed, since the bait does not come into effect until termites try to complete a moulting cycle. But within 20 days of bait uptake, the termite queen will no longer be able to lay viable eggs.
Boric acid
Specifically called orthoboric acid, boric acid is a popular simple solution for termite pest control. As a natural mineral insecticide, when a termite ingests boric acid, the acid begins to stop the pest from getting nutrients from its food source. We apply boric acid directly to areas where we know termites are present. However, simply controlling visible termites is not enough to completely eradicate them.
Liquid treatment
For fast and effective results, liquid termiticide treatments are another great option for termite pest control. We might use this type of treatment to create a barrier in the soil beneath your home that kills termites on contact. Liquid termiticides work best on subterranean termites. However, they still give long-term protection against future infestation of any type of termite.
Orange oil
A completely natural termite pest control method, orange oil contains the compound d-limonene, which is toxic to termites. When we apply orange oil directly to wood where termites are living, it both kills the termites and deters them from returning. Again, orange oil is a good treatment for prevention and provides limited control for a short period in a small infestation area. You still need other termite colony elimination treatments to support the work it does.
Nematodes
Nematodes are a unique natural termite pest control method. Nematodes are natural predators of termites. They seek termites out and invade their bodies, which kills the termites from the inside. You can get nematodes at garden centres or online. They’re a popular eco-friendly alternative to harsh chemical treatments. That said, nematodes alone can’t control termite colony infestations.
Diatomaceous earth
This fossilised algae form of sand is a favourite natural termite pest control treatment, effective on not just termites, but many other insect pests. Diatomaceous earth works by cutting through an insect’s outer covering, meaning that moisture escapes from their body. Diatomaceous earth is also absorbent, so it then absorbs the moisture from a termite. You can use this non-toxic pest control method in as many ways as other termite removal methods – sprinkle it around your skirting boards or use it at the entrance to your home to prevent pests from coming in.
Eliminate moisture
Termites thrive in moist environments. So, one key way you can eliminate termites is to keep an eye on your pipes. Leaks can moisten the wood around them, which is paradise for termites. So, patch up leaks promptly as a termite pest control measure. You should also make sure that stormwater runoff is directed away from your home.
Another place moisture can enter is through your roof. Broken roof tiles create an ideal environment for termites to establish their nests and feed on the moist materials. Always check your roof after storms or strong winds.
You should also keep an eye on your air conditioner. When you use an air conditioner, the moisture that drips can make the wood around windows or skirting boards damp, making them tempting to termites.
Another thing you can do is ensure proper ventilation in the sub-floor areas of your home. Without this, the high humidity and moisture would be irresistible to termites.
Eliminate entry points
Though ventilation is an integral part of preventing the need for termite pest control, you don’t want to allow termites too many points of entry. That’s why you should consider sealing certain entry points to prevent termites from returning.
When they swarm, termites can get in through broken doors and window screens. So, check that your window screens and doors are always properly sealed.
You should also avoid storing wood against your house. When you stack wood against the side of your house, or even train climbing plants or grow bushes against a house wall, this can also attract termites into your home.
If you have any wood debris or leftover boards from construction, be sure to tidy up this irresistible termite food.
Make sure to keep space between the wood and the soil, too. If you build a wooden fence, ensure it has a two-inch clearance between the wood and the soil.
You should always check that your chosen pest control technician has a valid termite inspection licence. This will be a number followed by PMT TP – Pest Management Technician Timber Pest. always make sure this licence is current and properly accredited.
If you need termite pest control, recurring pest prevention control, or any other form of pest control, get in touch with us for a free quote or to schedule your pest control service.