Termites are a bane for any homeowner who has wood as a primary component in their home, which means almost every homeowner. These tiny insects cause an estimated $5 billion in damage annually.
Beyond that, termite damage and repairs become something you must disclose when selling the home. That can discourage future buyers, even if you removed the infestation and repaired all the damage.
If you’re worried that your home might have an infestation, you probably need some guidance on how to deal with termites. Keep reading, and we’ll offer you six steps you should take that will help you address the problem.
1. Pest Control Inspection
If you think you have a termite infestation or you want to make sure your new home is clear of any pest infestations, you need a pest control inspection from professionals like amcoranger.com. If nothing else, you get a clear answer about what kind of pest problems you might have in your home.
2. Termite Baits
One of the popular DIY treatments, termite baits can attract termites. The bait exposes the termites to an insecticide. The exposed termites carry the toxin back to the nest and spread it to other termites.
You can find termite baits online, in home improvement stores, and even some retail outlets.
3. Barrier Treatments
Barrier treatments fall both in the DIY and professional category or treatment options. In essence, you apply a termite-specific poison to your home’s exterior wood. The termites consume and spread the poison, which can kill the entire nest of termites.
4. Diatomaceous Earth
Another popular DIY approach for how to get rid of termites is diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous earth gets underneath the termite exoskeleton and leads to lethal dehydration of the insects. You simply sprinkle it around places where you see termites or suspect them.
You can find diatomaceous earth in garden centers and home improvement outlets.
5. Call in a Pro
The most reliable method of dealing with a termite infestation is a pest exterminator. Professionals often use pro-grade chemicals you can’t buy for yourself. They also get training on finding all the termite nests, which helps them eliminate the infestation entirely.
6. Fumigation
Some types of termite infestations, such as drywood termite infestations, don’t respond to the other common form of treatment. Dealing with these infestations typically requires tenting your entire home and fumigating it over the course of several days. A professional exterminator can tell you if you need this approach.
How to Deal with Termites in Your Home
The question of how to deal with termites in your home has several potential answers. If you only suspect an infestation, consider a pest inspection. That can confirm if your home has an infestation.
If your home does have termites, you can go with several options. You can try DIY options like barrier treatments, termite baits, and diatomaceous earth. You can also call in a pro exterminator.
In some cases, fumigation may prove your only option.
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