Termites are a homeowner’s nightmare. They can lead to expensive repairs or even structural damage if they’re left unchecked. Fortunately, there’s an easy solution you can do at home, provided you know what to look for. Here’s the scoop on why termites eat wood and how to prevent them from taking over.
What are Termites?
Termites are social insects that live and interact with each other in colonies. They feed on wood, which is broken down by their saliva into a digestible form. The floor and walls of your home are rich in cellulose, which is a complex chain of sugars. Termites utilize pheromones to find each other to feed on the cellulose.
These pests are primarily found in the southern United States. That’s because warm, humid conditions are ideal for termite colonies. However, they can also be found in other areas of the country. In addition, they’re not just found in homes. They can infest furniture, timber floors, and other household items, so preventing them from getting a foothold in your house is essential.
How to Identify a Termite Infestation
You can’t just look for bugs to figure out if you have termites. They’re subterranean, which means they live underground and only emerge above the surface when they need food.
To check for termite activity, you can use two basic steps. The first is a visual inspection for sagging floors or damaged wood. The second step is to get out the tools and have a look around.
If you see evidence of termites, it’s time to get your home protected.
How to Get Rid of Termites
If you’ve found evidence of a termite infestation, the next step is to set up protection. This means applying insecticides at a point before the pests get into your home, specifically in areas where they’re likely to infest, like your attic or basement.
When you set up a termite treatment in McAllen, the goal is to prevent the termites from getting to your wood. The treatments are applied at the perimeter of your home, where they’re likely to enter. The treatment shouldn’t be applied to your interior.
You can use Borax or other household products to prevent termites from entering your home. However, these products don’t eliminate them all. More importantly, they don’t stop them from returning to the areas they’ve been treated.
You’ll more than likely need professional-grade termite treatment. Don’t sweat it; you can do that yourself. It’s only a matter of getting the chemicals from your local hardware store and applying them yourself.
The Answer Is Yes You Can Kill Termites Yourself
Termites are a real pain for homeowners. The damage termites can do to your home is sometimes unrepairable. That’s why DIY pest control is a good idea to get a headstart. If you’re wondering, “can you do termite control yourself?” the answer is yes. First, you have to learn how to spot a potential infestation and keep it from spreading.
Many of you struggle with pest control, but it’s best to talk to a professional McAllen Pest Control Company if you’re not sure where to start. Even if you don’t have them come out to your house and treat it, they might be able to sell you the chemicals needed to do the job yourself.