How to get rid of termites?

Termites are among the most destructive creatures due to their gregarious lifestyle and insatiable appetite, capable of destroying homes, furniture, and wooden objects. Priceless antique books, if not carefully preserved, can also fall victim to termites, causing immeasurable damage.

Termites can invade your home in many different ways, and even solidly built cement walls can be attacked by them without anyone noticing for years.

There are three common types of termites:

• Drywood termites: These termites primarily live in wooden structures, their favorite food being wood. In addition, they can damage the walls of buildings.
• Wetwood termites: This type typically lives in damp, decaying wood.
• Subterranean termites: They live primarily underground and are the most difficult to eradicate because you can't see them unless you dig up the soil, or when your house is damp and the ground has cracks. Or, even worse, if your house is built on land that already has a termite nest, they will quickly attack your house and you will quickly realize the consequences of the termite infestation.

How to get rid of termites and repel them?

If the termite infestation is mild, you can try some of the termite control and repellent methods below. If the situation is more severe, or to ensure effectiveness and a proper assessment of the situation, you should use a professional termite extermination service.

How to kill and repel termites using vinegar and lemon.

You need two lemons and half a bowl of white vinegar. Put them in a spray bottle and spray it around the house to kill termites. This solution is very safe for humans, and can be used safely even in homes with young children and pets.

How to kill termites using alcohol.

When you discover a termite nest, prepare 10-20 liters of 90% alcohol, dig a trench around the nest (10 x 10 cm), and pour the alcohol into it. When the termites leave the nest to forage, they will come into contact with the alcohol and die. After completely eliminating the termites, you should destroy the nest to prevent them from nesting again.

Note: Alcohol is a flammable material, so extreme caution must be exercised when using it.

How to safely get rid of termites using salt.

Using salt to repel termites is a fairly effective and safe method. You can follow the instructions below:

Method 1: Pour a mixture of salt and water in a 1:1 ratio into the termite nest or areas where termites are present. Alternatively, you can use a syringe to inject the salt solution directly into the termite nest.

Method 2: At termite trails or areas where termites appear, sprinkle coarse salt directly on them to repel termites and keep them away from your living area.

Termite extermination using light

For termites that often lurk and take shelter in buildings, using light to kill them is very effective. When it gets dark, place a basin of water under a candle or bright light. Termites will be attracted and swarm towards it because they are attracted to light and often seek out brightly lit places to mate. Usually, after mating, the termites' wings fall off, so they easily fall into the water.

Besides wondering how to get rid of termites, many people also want to know how to prevent termites from entering their homes. Keeping all doors and windows closed is advisable, especially during rainy or windy weather. If some termites manage to get in, you can use a net to catch and remove them.

Signs that your house has termites

Termites typically burrow deep inside wooden furniture, often causing significant damage by the time it's discovered. To detect termites early, look for the following signs:

- The wood is hollow inside: You can tap the surface of the wood with your hand; if you hear a hollow sound, it's very likely that termites have hollowed out the inside.

- Wooden doors are difficult to open or get stuck: Termite droppings create a hot, humid environment that causes the wood to swell.

- Tunnels along the baseboards: Termites often create tunnels to live in, travel through, and transport food undetected.

- Termite droppings: Houses infested with termites often show mounds of brown, granular droppings. These droppings are found primarily in areas where the wood has been damaged.

According to the HealthlineBesides damaging houses and furniture, termites can even bite and sting humans. While not dangerous, they can cause allergic reactions. Termites do not transmit infectious diseases to humans, but they can trigger respiratory problems, especially asthma, if you live in a termite-infested environment for an extended period.