How to Resolve Your Termite Problem?

Wait. Do not sell your house just yet! People are terrified of termites and everyone has a justified reason why. I for one am not a fan of any creepy crawlers, especially the ones who could eat my family out-of-house-and-home, invade library to destroy my vast collection of books, nor the concept of having to tear down our age-old tree house I had since I was small. Termites are pests that need immediate resolution. 

Here are some things-to-do when termites are found in your area:

1. Buy a termite trap from your local hardware or DIY home-improvement stores.

Preventive action is better than cure. If you hear from a neighbor that someone in the area is experiencing problems on pest, termites to be specific. Take control by thinking ahead. There are ways to save your property from permanent structural damage. Setting up termite traps around your home, in your yard and on neighboring cluster of trees can save you a huge amount of money. These termite traps are commonly made of wooden-stakes which can be driven to the ground or dangled as bait for wandering termites. Just check regularly to detect any pests in your area. No safety hazard for kids or pets, these are environment-friendly non-chemical termite traps designed for every home.

2. Use liquid termiticide spray to prevent further infestation.

Spraying liquid termiticide on the base of the infected tree and other neighboring trees will help control the termite problem. Make sure to spray an approximate 3-foot radius around the base of the tree. Continue spraying till you reach at least 2-feet high. Doing so will prevent more termites from returning to their nests. Spray on the exterior of wooden structures nearby like sheds, boats, panels etc. For a more environment-kid friendly approach, I would recommend the use of biodegradable permethrin-based insecticide, such as Torpedo or Dragnet. Another alternative could be bought a commercial hydrocarbon-based termiticide from your hardware store.

3. Pruning infected wood once discovered in a tree.

Immediately remove infected area. Narrow tunnels through the wood, large nesting chambers, tiny white eggs or visible crawling termites on the tree trunk, are just some indicators of a pest problem. Pruning will help the tree from being fully infested. Do this, as soon as signs of termites are discovered. Burn or destroy the wood as soon as possible to prevent the termites from transferring to another wooden home.

4. Follow-up Treatment

Check daily if the creepy crawling-structure-destroyers have tried to return to the trees. Monitor the termite situation daily. Continue anti-termite spraying until you are confident that the situation has been completely controlled. Do not be complacent. Remove uninfected wood from moist areas or remove from exposure to rain if possible. Eliminate rotting stumps from your yard and do away with old wooden piles from your workshop. Get rid of anything that might potentially become a home for the termite pests.