Termite Inspection and Elimination

Termites are ant-like insects and live in colonies. Each colony may be made up of thousands of termites. A termite colony has a queen, soldiers, and workers. It is not very easy to differentiate between termites and ants. A proper inspection has to be done to make an assessment of the damage caused by the termites. A licensed and reputable company is called for a termite inspection.

Nowadays new technologies are being used for a termite inspection. One such method is the use of infrared technology. It uses a heat detection mechanism for a termite inspection. Large colonies that are clumped together can be easily spotted with the help of this technology. A small camera is inserted at one end of a rod and then the camera is moved around to find the termites. Pest control companies can pinpoint the exact location of the colony and then get rid of the termites. Termites never stay alone and always work on the timber in groups.

Another way to detect termites is thermal imaging. Termites change the usual heat pattern of the floors, walls, and roof whenever they infest a building. Heat patterns are detected by the thermal imaging technology. A thermal camera is capable of recording variation in heat patterns. Thermal image generation shows cold spots in purple or blue and hot spots are indicated by yellow or red spots. A termite inspection can be effectively done with the help of thermal imaging and infrared technology. After termite inspection, the pest control company can determine the infested areas which will help them to deal with the termites in an effective way.

It is very difficult to get rid of termites. You need to have a certain plan of action to deal with such insects. Termite colonies grow at a rapid rate, so the earlier you start with your elimination program, the better are your chances of eliminating them. You can either go for a pest control company or use your own chemicals and pesticides to get rid of them. You need to have a clear idea about the basic habits of termites if you have to find a permanent solution to your problem.

Wood is the primary food for termites. Wooden furniture, wood paneling, floorboards, doors, and windows are likely to be attacked by termites if proper care is not taken. A solution of water and boric acid can be used to curb their growth. Termite baits are a popular choice when it comes to termite treatment. In this method, chemically treated wooden stakes are driven into the soil. Termites feed on the wood stakes and die. The baiting system is relatively simpler and can be used to check the growth of termite colonies. Another way of termite elimination is the barrier method. Chemicals are injected into the ground at regular intervals near your house so that the termites are killed whenever they try to cross the barrier.

A termite inspection should be followed by termite elimination to make sure that there are no chances of another termite attack. As soon as any sign of termite infestation is seen, you should start implementing any of the above methods to eliminate the termites and keep your house safe from any further attacks.

You would not want the lumber of your new house to end up in the bellies of a gang of termites. Well! Then you need to coat them with some of the readily available chemicals that contain boron. Boron application safeguards your home’s wooden articles, not only from wood-boring beetles like termites but also shield them against fungi (wet rot, white and brown) that cause wood decomposition.

Application of borate chemicals to your lumber shields the wood before the unwanted visitors arrive. Borate compounds are unique. In markets, they are generally found in powder form that can be readily dissolved in water. These chemicals are extracted from naturally occurring minerals. Once the borate solution is shielded on bare wood, it soaks profoundly into the wood. The extent and depth of incursion depend on factors like a number of applications, the interior moisture content of the wood niche, the texture and kind of wood, and the temperature of wood. Lumber that has a jagged texture and low humidity content absorbs the solutions easily.

There are many other added benefits of applying borate solutions on wooden articles. Even though these chemicals are highly noxious to those little devils, they reveal low toxicity to animals and humans. So you do not have to worry about the safety quotient of your children and pets. Once the lumber is treated and dehydrated, borate fortification is extremely enduring. What’s more, borates do not impinge on the workability or outer appearance of the wood. Features like non-corrosion to metal fasteners and no odor enhances their cost-effectiveness.

A word of caution follows. As mentioned earlier, the powder is mixed with water to smear it to the wood. Over a period of time, this same water can take the shape of a siding leak and remove the borate chemical from lumber by re-dissolving in it. If that happens, lumber is susceptible to attack. If borate treated wood comes in contact with moist soil or rainwater, the effect simply reduces to zero over a period of time. However, this should not be a cause of much concern as the application of a penetrating water repellent on a usual basis ensures a defensive mechanism for your wooden essentials.

You can treat your wooden articles with borate chemicals yourself. While applying borates take care that your lumber is under a roof so that it has no contact with any type of moisture. If you want to spray the borate solution before covering the lumber with plastic or insulation then consult your builder. It would be better to schedule two applications on different days.

The best time to treat your lumber is during the construction phase. However, borates can also be put on already existing ones. The only complication is that many wooden facades have been covered by other materials. Little beetles may wreak harm by finding their path through untreated wood.

While shopping for borate compounds, you should ponder for ones that are registered and branded as wood preservatives. They are categorized as safe by the Environment Protection Agency for use.