The best way to eliminate termites, or the
chance of termites, in your home is to replace all the wood with metal. This
means the joists, the doors, furniture, and anything else that has wood in it. Termites eat wood, the only way to
eliminate them completely is to eliminate the wood.
Of course, this isn’t a practical option for
most people!
In fact, the simple answer is that you can’t
eliminate them forever. There is always a possibility they’ll return.
However, with the right steps, you can eliminate
an existing problem and reduce the likelihood of them returning.
Professional Help
The first step is to get hold of your local pest control expert and get them to
inspect your home. They’ll identify any issue you already have and help you to
eliminate them. The usual approach is to use bait boxes that kill the majority
of the termites. This will help them to locate the nest and use chemicals to
ensure they are all dead. You can learn more here.
Follow this up with annual inspections to ensure
the problem is not returning.
Sealing Up
Termites often enter the space under your home
through the soil around the edge of your property. They burrow through the soil
to the damp and warmth of your subfloor void, where there is also plenty of
wood to eat and complete privacy!
You’ll see the signs of their presence in the
small tube holes in the soil. If you cover one it will reopen in a day or two,
or a new one will appear next to it. That confirms the termites are active. To
help eliminate this entry point you should concrete around your home, at least
3 inches deep and 6 inches out from your walls.
It’s also important to look for cracks and gaps
that will allow termites into your walls, seal these as quickly as possible.
Check for leaks
Water leaks can cause dampness to collect in
your house. As water runs downward it will often collect in your floor or
sub-floor space. You can check for these leaks by taking a water meter reading.
Don’t use any water and check the reading again in an hour. If it’s moved you
have a leak and you’re going to want to sort it.
Damp doesn’t just attract pests, it can also
damage your foundations and structure of your home.
Treat Your Wood
This can be difficult when you’re in a house
that’s already been built. It’s hard to find every piece of wood and spray it
with treatment. But, treatment is effective at deterring termites, you may want
to get a professional to treat the wood as they’ll be accustomed to the crawl
spaces and can check for termites as they spray.
The chemicals they use are safe for humans,
meaning you won’t need to vacate your home while they’re working. Of course,
you may wish to give them a little space to get on with the job.
