How Do I Know if You Have Termites

In the United States, there are over forty types of termites. Worldwide at that place are more than than 4,000. The Us Section of Agronomics estimates that termites cause over a billion dollars of harm to homes in America every yr.  Crazy right? You plainly want to forestall termites before you end up with an infestation.

Termites all fall under one of the master 4 termite types.

These include the drywood termite, subterranean termite, dampwood termite, and formosam termite. While all nether the termite umbrella, these species have some primal differences that carve up them. Simply earlier we become to that, let'southward take a quick look at one of the main things termites accept in common – their family construction.

The 4 members of a termite colony include nymphs, soldiers, workers and reproductives.

  1. Nymphs are the baby termites that haven't yet been assigned a office and oasis't reached their full size.
  2. Soldiers are tasked with protecting the colony. Typically soldier termites make upwards less than three% of their colony population. The soldiers accept enlarged, darkened heads and enlarged jaws to assist them fight off potential dangers.
  3. Workers are the backbone of the intrusion and brand up the bulk of it. Information technology is their duty to build, manage and repair the colony when needed. They also aid care for the young (nymphs) and the are responsible for foraging the food.
  4. Reproductives are winged and responsible for the reproduction process. As well known as swarmers,  these termites have a darker body and long wings. Later they leave their colony to mate, they kickoff a new colony often in the role of king or queen.
Different Types of Termites and Different Stages Of Life

Now – dorsum to the types of termites.

Drywood Termite

This is the most common type of termite that can exist found throughout the world. As their name propose, they live in drywood and swallow through beams, walls, etc, until they are hollowed out. Dissimilar many other species, they tin can live in dry out conditions for long periods of time and don't demand soil to survive. These termites are able to receive the moisture they need from the wood they eat.

Drywood Termite

Drywood termite stats:

  • Scientific proper noun – Kalotermitidae
  • Consist of more than than xx classes and about 350 types
  • Flossy white to lite chocolate-brown in color
  • Long, narrow, oval shape
  • 3/viii – 1 inch long

Where they alive:

  • Primarily constitute coastally from Due south Carolina westward to Texas and up the west coast to California.
  • Indoors: Dry out woods (even woods that has been treated), framing, frames of windows, and furniture.
  • Outdoors: Tree stubs, dead trees and fifty-fifty in dead branches of green trees.

Signs of a drywood termite infestation:

  • Visible swarms of termites in or effectually your house
  • Flight termites, likewise called alates, in or effectually your house
  • Piles of frass, pellet-shaped termite feces, below "kickout holes" in wood

Subterranean Termite

This blazon of termite can only survive in the soil underground. Subterranean termites need high moisture levels. This species prefer to consume soft, spring wood fiber. They build mud tubes to incorporate the humidity levels necessary for survival. These termites construct mud tunnels on anything that comes into contact with the ground. Similar to drywood termites, subterranean termites are most common in warmer climates.

Subterranean Termite

Subterranean termite stats:

  • Scientific name – Reticulitermes flavipes
  • Creamy white, grey white, nighttime brown, or black in colour
  • Long, narrow, oval shape
  • ane/8 inch long

Where they live:

  • Throughout almost of the continental Usa but adopt warmer climates
  • In soil hush-hush
  • Any available wooden structure that comes in contact with soil
  • Wherever there is moisture and darkness

Signs of an infestation:

  • Raised mud tubes, the tunnel network used by the termites to find food and water
  • Flying termites around the firm after a rainstorm
  • Piles of discarded termite wings around your house—they will exist uniform in shape and size

Dampwood Termite

These termites live in woods with high moisture content and therefore don't require contact with the soil to survive. Dampwood termites are mainly plant in moist wood logs, stumps and dead trees and tin can sometimes exist plant near water leaks or wall voids, however termite infestations in buildings and structures are very rare. These termites are much bigger than the other species.

Dampwood Termite

Dampwood termite stats:

  • Scientific name – termopsidae
  • Consists of 5 classes and well-nigh 30 types
  • Creamy white to brownish in color
  • Long, narrow, and oval shape
  • ½ inch – 5/8 inch long

Where they live:

  • Pacific Northwest, Desert areas, Semi-arid Southwest, parts of the Southeast, especially Florida
  • Ares with high humidity
  • Homes with serious wet problems
  • Untreated woods that touches the ground, such as piles of firewood
  • Wooded areas with high moisture level, rotting stumps, dead trees

Signs of an infestation:

  • Expressionless termites nearly the colony
  • Soft spots in infested woods

Formosan termites

The Formosan termite is frequently called the "super termite" due to the rapid rate that colonies can destroy woods. A mature colony can consume well-nigh 13 grams of forest a mean solar day and tin crusade significant structure harm in as footling as 3 months. Where Formosan colonies are nowadays, nearby buildings are as well at risk for invasion. Once Formosan termites have been established in an area, they are very difficult to eradicate. The queen in the colony tin produce more than 1,000 eggs per twenty-four hour period, and they eventually swarm to create new colonies.

Formosan Termite

Formosan termite stats:

  • Scientific proper noun – Coptotermes formosanus
  • Creamy white to brownish in colour
  • Long, narrow, and oval shape
  • ½ inch long

Where they alive:

  • Mainly plant in Hawaii, Northward Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, and California
  • All buildings
  • Boats
  • Trees

Signs of an infestation:

  • Sagging walls
  • Plaster and woods that appears to take been sanded down.

What Almost Desert Termites?

You defenseless me! I left out a pretty big category of termites. Why? Considering desert termites do not pose a serious threat to properties. In fact, they bring more than benefit rather than harm. Past building channels in the ground these termites encourage water infiltration. They also break down institute material, as a consequence playing a big role in the environment.

Desert termites (Gnathamitermess) are more numerous than ants, though they are almost unnoticeable. Commonly desert termites alive undercover, creating endless tunnels and channels. They can be found under rocks or wood.

Collage of the types of termites as well as termite damage on a wall with information on how to kill termites naturally and prevent them from returning

Signs of a Termite Infestation In Your Abode

While I made notation of some specific signs of the four main types of termites, let's take a large-picture view of how to spot a termite infestation in your dwelling.

  • Forest makes an empty, hollow audio when knocked on. Termites eat abroad at wood from the inside out, then if you notice this audio when knocking on your walls or doors, its time to get rid of termites naturally.
  • Doors don't close properly and windows stick. Termites eat the surrounding wood in doorjambs and windows, allowing water in and causing the structure to swell and weaken.
  • Interior pigment bubbles and peels from the wall. Termite-damaged drywall allows air and moisture to come betwixt the surface and the paint—a tell-tale sign of an infestation. A word of caution – make certain that this is termite damage and not a water leak.
  • You spot exit holes and termite droppings. If y'all detect holes in your walls with small pellets of termite waste product nearby, that'due south a sign you accept termites, specifically the drywood diverseness.
  • Floors sag, walls buckle, and laminate tiles gyre. Termites volition eat away at a domicile's structure and weaken integral components, resulting in compromised floor joists, drywall panels, and subflooring.
  • Y'all see mud tubes effectually your property. Mud tubes are tunnels that some types of termites use to ship nutrient back to the colony. Mud tubes well-nigh your home'southward foundation, windows, or whatsoever other surface are an indication of termites, likely from the subterranean family.
Closeup photo of man's hand pointing out termite damage and a live termite.

How To Get Rid Of Termites Naturally

You likely wouldn't be hither if you didn't already accept a termite problem. So let's talk about how to get rid of termites.

The way you kill termites often times depends on the species although there are a few natural ways to go rid of termites that apply to all of them. Let'due south take a expect at those first.

Natural Methods To Become Rid Of Whatsoever Species Of Termite

Diatomaceous Earth: Fill a powder duster (like this one) with the diatomaceous earth. Employ the diatomaceous earth to grade a barrier in areas such equally exposed wood and insulation in your basement, cranium, crawl spaces etc. You lot can also apply it directly on the soil of your garden. If you use it outdoors, yous must reapply information technology each time it rains. If you are in a humid climate, y'all must reapply information technology every few days.

Aloe Vera: A solution of aloe and h2o repels termites, when sprayed in their area of activeness.

Castor Oil: Mix castor oil seeds, leaves and roots with water and soak it for 24 hours. Then strain the solution and spray on the affected area to repel the termites. Don't want to make your own brush oil solution? You can endeavor this brand but making your ain is more than potent.

Poppy Oil: Spraying a mixture of poppy oil and water around the infested area keeps away termites. It also helps dry out any that come in contact with it. This is an affordable brand.

Boric Acid: This is considered to be the best 'in between' solution when it comes to the pesticides vs. natural solutions debate on pest control. After contact, information technology would accept anywhere from iii to 7 days for an exposed termite to die. My recommendation is Duda Energy'south Fine Pulverisation Boric Acid. This is 99.9+% pure industrial course boric acid and is an excellent value for coin. To use boric acid, fill up upwardly a loftier quality pulverization squeegee with the boric acid pulverisation. Simply use the powder duster to apply the boric acid pulverisation into areas where you lot suspect the termites may be traversing similar cracks or crevices. You can use this both indoors and outdoors, such as on your garden. If you manage to locate the termite colony, yous can utilise the boric acid powder straight into it.

Traces of termites eat wood, Timber beam of door damaged by termite which eat for a long time, The wood home with termites damage in kitchen.

How To Go Rid Of Drywood Termites

Drywood termites are atrocious! I live in the desert and we battle termites. I have tried everything under the sun only natural remedies aren't full proof typically. Here is what I have done that has helped though.

One of the greener options for termite command involves introducing parasitic roundworms into the termite colony. Also known as beneficial nematodes, these organisms tin can devastate termite populations. Once they've located and entered a host, these virtually microscopic worms release a leaner that's deadly to insects such as termites. Once they've killed their host they movement on to another member of the colony, reproducing in the process. Beneficial nematodes tin can typically be institute at your local home & garden store. One time purchased, release the nematodes into the termite hive and let them do the rest. This approach works best in conjunction with other natural pest control methods.

I merely recommend NaturesGoodGuys Live Beneficial Nematodes! These take always worked VERY well and not just for termites. They attack fleas, flies, grubs and more than.

Orange oil has proven constructive at killing termites, specially drywood termites. Extremely affordable and all natural, orange oil is derived from orange peels and is fabricated mostly of d-limonene—a solvent that's deadly to termites. When termites come into direct contact with orange oil their exoskeletons begin to dissolve, causing them to lose proteins and moisture, and ultimately dice. This method works equally a deterrent, too, as termites will avoid traveling in areas saturated with orange oil. Orange oil is likewise believed to disrupt termites' pheromones, which they utilize to communicate. But spray full forcefulness or mildly diluted orange oil onto termite problem areas, as close to the hive equally possible. If the hive is located behind a wall and y'all're not interested in tearing out Sheetrock, many professionals recommend drilling holes in the drywall and dispensing orange oil through the opening. (Always consult a professional before removing drywall or drilling holes for this purpose). Exist aware: orange oil can irritate skin and cause complications if ingested, and so please exercise caution when using this essential oil.

This is the best orangish oil I have found.

How To Go Rid Of Subterranean Termites

Unfortunately, subterranean termites are very hard to get rid of. The all-time fashion to impale a colony is with the trench method.

Dig a trench around your home 6 inches deep and 6 inches broad. Fill a bucket with equal parts salt and warm h2o. Yes, it should be very salty. Pour the mixture into the trench and immediately fill it back with clay until it is turned into mud. Repeat the process for each side of your domicile until the unabridged perimeter of your habitation is covered. The termites will dice of dehydration. You may need to repeat this process 2-3 times over the course of a 7 days catamenia.

How To Get Rid Of Dampwood Termites

An constructive style to get rid of dampwood termites is to make a cardboard trap.

Take two pieces of paper-thin together, spray them with water until pretty wet just non falling autonomously, and leave them in infested area. It is like a cellulose-containing sandwich for dampwood termites.

Cardboard will attract fertile termites giving off an appealing woody smell. When termites fill the trap, have it away and burn. Now make a trap yourself again and wait for a new group.

Termites building a mud tube on wooden wall of a room / Termite problem in house concept

How To Get Rid Of Fosoman Termites

Termites of this type cannot survive under exposure to heat and lite of the sun. Infested pieces of furniture, books, wooden frames can be taken exterior during the hottest daytime in summer for 2-3 days.

Another method is to dig up a trench in infested area and leave to expose termite habitat directly to sunlight and heat.

Termite Prevention

One of the very best ways to preclude an infestation is to brand your habitation'south wood unappetizing to termites. A wood treatment that removes wet from wood is a highly constructive method to deter termites from consuming or inhabiting wooden structures. This arroyo not but preserves woods—making it more than structurally stable and resistant to rot and mold —but also transforms it into something termites tin can no longer eat or destroy.  This is the product I utilize on all my outdoor wood structures.

Other means to forestall termites include:

  1. Make sure your dwelling has proper ventilation.
  2. Repair any leaky air-conditioning units, sinks or faucets, as the moisture will attract termites and other pests. Better yet, prevent leaks in the first place.
  3. Avoid water accumulation about your dwelling house'due south foundation. Divert water away with properly functioning downspouts, gutters and splash blocks.
  4. Reduce humidity in crawl spaces and attics besides as your unabridged home.
  5. Eliminate wood contact with the soil. Maintain a one inch gap betwixt the soil and forest portions of the building.
  6. Keep firewood at least 20 feet away from your home.
  7. Clear away vegetation that tin decay. This includes branches, twigs, fallen leaves, grass clippings, and the like.
  8. Remove any castor or heavy growth from effectually your dwelling house. Dumbo vegetation can create areas of intense moisture, which is necessary for colony survival. Plants plants at least 12 inches away from your foundation.
  9. Seal any cracks or holes within the foundation of your domicile. This volition help prevent like shooting fish in a barrel admission for wandering termites.
  10. Apply plastic for storage instead of wood.
  11. Apply Bora-Intendance directly to untreated woods surfaces. Formulated with a business organisation for the environs, Bora-Care is a borate based insecticide and fungicide that is used for the interior and outside command of wood-boring insects. Its patented formula penetrates deep into the wood providing long lasting protection.
  12. Routinely inspect your foundation for signs of termite activity, including mud tubes.

And there y'all have information technology! Everything you lot demand to know well-nigh how to go rid of termites, preclude termites, and some absurd termite facts. Then what are you waiting for? Go kill those termites today.

Take other pests you want to get rid of? Bank check out these reader favorites!

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Termites destroying a house with the caption "do you know how to get rid of termites naturally?"

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Source: https://hybridrastamama.com/how-to-get-rid-of-termites-naturally/

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