Termites - Facts and Pest Control

Termites - Facts and Pest Control

Many think that termites belong to the family of ants but surprisingly it's not. Termite is also called white ant by some, because of the word ant in white ant. Another tricky part is -- if you look and observe termites closely, you’ll possibly speculate that they belong to the ant family. Why? Because of their physical appearance and behavior which is pretty identical to ants.

Termites march in groups and has a division of labor like ants. According to Science, termites belong to the family of mantids (praying mantis) and cockroach. 

They have worker, soldier, king, and termite queen. Did you know that ants are the most sarcastic predator of termites?

When an ant smell find swarms of termites it will recruit 20-30 other ants to make a sabotage attack, they will use their stinger to weaken their prey by biting its neck to perform an easy kill.

It is known that strong jaw or mandibles, the huge sized weapon of termites is used to fight their predators, and especially to gather food like wood wherein they mostly get their needed nutrients.

Trees and plants are their primary sources of food and diet. But sometimes they eat plastic and papers. We consider termites as a pest because they damage anything that is made of wood or has wood in it, like trees, furniture, houses and the like. They weaken the durability and hardness of wood, eating its inner and outer part leaving a messed up wood. That's why pest control is needed for controlling and eliminating termites that infest your home.

Termite problem is very common in every household. Many houses were demolished forcefully especially those that are mostly made of wood because of the infestation made by the termites. Termite damage is a serious problem therefore immediate attention must be made.

If you know and is convinced that there are already termites in your house, do not hesitate to eliminate them quickly because, like ants, they are quick to multiply because of their queen which is like a termite factory that can produce new fresh babies in just a short period of time. That's why this termite pest control methods is very essential to those who are not affected (prevention) and especially to those who are affected (prevention and elimination) by the infestation.

In termite companies or termite pest control companies like orkin.com, terminix.com and etc.. These experts have different termite treatment options depending upon the situation of the infestation. However, it may cost you a lot when you buy their service that's why do it yourself pest control is important because pest control starts with you.

Here are the tips for do it yourself termite treatment:

1. Expose your furniture into the sun
The termites cannot withstand long exposure to the sun because of the ultraviolet light. The termites are comfortable in dark places and when exposed to sunlight they will die. 

Just put your furniture outside your house for about 3 to 4 days and after this, you will see good results. This is effective and a money saver method. This is an economical way of termite removal, because you do not need to pay for sunlight and no chemicals involve in this termite extermination method.

2. Set up a cardboard trap
The termites generally like to eat wood because it contains cellulose. However, like the wood, cardboard also contains cellulose. 

It will lure the termites to eat the cardboard. Put a cardboard in spots or locations to where termites live and after hours of waiting you can see many termites feeding on it. You just need to put it into the fire and assure that no termites will escape the fire.

3. Put nematodes
The nematodes are tiny worm parasites which are not harmful to pets, plants, and even human. Their diet focuses on insects like the termites. 

You can make it as spray type to easily distribute to the affected wood. Termite inspection is needed before using these parasites, to pinpoint the right spot or the affected area. These parasites are quick to kill termites because they mostly concentrate to eat this type of food.

4. Use pesticides
Safety precautions must not be neglected when handling and using pesticide because it contains harmful chemicals. However, if you are going to use it properly, there’s nothing for you to worry. 

It is very effective in preventing termites to get near into your house and effective against killing it instantly. If there is termite nest in your house, then you must apply or spray pesticide directly and in the vicinity of that spot, so that no termite can escape. You can buy pesticides appropriate for termites in your local hardware stores.