If you’re curious how to spot termites in your attic, you should be mindful that accurate detection of termite behavior takes a lot of learning. Termites may disappear behind your home walls and leave no signs of their existence, or you may misidentify their signs as water damage.
Certified termite professionals are trained to recognize markings of termite activity, like wood damage and drywall discoloration or sagging. Several inspectors have access to the tools, such as infrared cameras and moisture meters, which can help detect infestation prone areas and their activities.
When you live in an area where termites are incredibly active, annual termite inspections should be a routine task on your checklist of home maintenance. Formosan termites will significantly damage a home in less than two years, in the perfect humid and warmer climate. Techniques of early detection and preventive care are critical to protecting your home. Using some of the list methods below can help you get rid of termite from your attic.
Boric acid
Another way of stopping termites from reaching wood in your attic is to get boric acid, or borate solution, in a commercial product, and spray or brush the substance onto the wood, usually before renovation. Boric acid also works concurrently with other species of insects. This approach is perfect if you want to get rid of the termites and also keep them from returning. Throughout time, many people used it to destroy the little insects and get rid of them for good.
Before doing anything, make sure you read the instructions, as there is always a proper way to do this method. Boric acid is highly toxic to a wood-eating pest, like those of termites, while it has low toxicity to people and mammals, including your pets (dog or cat). Wood treated with boric acid is very long effective against these insects with a few treatments.
Liquid termite barrier (Termidor)
Not only will this method help you destroy the termites already present in your attic, but it’s also a successful preventive approach. The concept behind a liquid barrier is to fully surround your attic in a barrier to pesticides that will kill termites once it comes in contact. Although it is commonly used around the entire base of the building, it can also be used around different wooden structures such as poultries and barns, piles of wood, or tree stumps. Most professionals suggest (Taurus SC Generic Termidor) if you are asking which termite killer you should use to create the liquid termite barrier.
Termidor is the best in the field when it comes to killing termites, and is used by most pest control practitioners to exterminate termites.
Why it is so effective: Termites are unable to detect it; they can’t prevent what they can’t see or smell.
Active effect: The product can spread by contact; a single infected termite may spread the poison to all other colonies of termites.
Caution; Make sure you read and follow instructions before use.
Diatomaceous earth (DE)
Diatomaceous earth is the remains of fossilized small aquatic organisms identified as diatoms. Its skeletons are made of silica, and they accumulate in the sediment of a river, ocean water, and lakebed. This is a non-toxic method (but will not suggest you eat it) and is the natural pest control top choice. The way diatomaceous earth works is that its molecular structure to insects is like the smallest razor blades. It slices their waxy exoskeletons, leaving them vulnerable to dehydration and death.
Top recommendation for the product is an Earth Food Grade Diatomaceous. Like I said earlier, the product is 100 percent non-additive diatomaceous earth and is labeled organic. Unlike other brands that hand-package their diatomic soil, this one uses stainless steel equipment to guarantee zero contamination.
How to use the diatomaceous method:
● Fill the product with a powder duster.
● For places like exposed wood and insulation in your attic, crawl spaces basement, etc., add the diatomaceous earth to form a barrier. You can add it directly to your garden soil, too.
● Unless you use it outside, you have to reapply it whenever it rains.
● When you’re in a humid climate, you have to reapply it every 3-4 days.
How to get rid of termites with essential oils
One of the non-life threatening ways of getting pests, especially termites without breaking the bank or causing harm to your health is with essential oils.
Essential oils such as orange oil are one of the cheapest, yet safest ways to get rid of termites. It is a natural treatment against termites and other household pests. The main ingredient is limonene, which is found in oranges, and many household cleaning products have it. Although it has little or no adverse effects on humans, orange oil, when properly used, eliminates termites from your attic and other areas of your home. However, some people are allergic to highly concentrated orange oil, so it is important to follow label directions.
Another downside to this method is, it can take up to a few weeks to get rid of termites with the essential oil depending on the severity of the termite infestation.
Furthermore, when dealing with other household pests like flies, roaches, spiders, etc. you can use peppermint, spearmint, citrus (including orange, lemon, and grapes) to exterminate household pests.
Do you have other ways of getting rid of pests from your home, or garden? Comment to share with others on how to get rid of insects and rodents from your home.