Effective Ways to Detect and Control Termite Infestation in Your Home
Termites are small creatures that can be a nuisance and cause significant losses and adverse effects in a home. Most homeowners don't realize that their homes are infested with termites until the damage done on furniture is evident. Termites often start eating wood that cannot be seen from the outside. If they are not controlled, they can cause extensive damage and structural problems on your furniture. Luckily, it is possible to detect a termite infestation before significant damage is caused and control it by applying the appropriate treatment procedures.
How to detect a termite infestation
Detecting a termite infestation during the first stages can be quite challenging. However, if you are extra observant, it is possible to identify and control the termites in time. The best way to do this is to carry out a regular, thorough inspection of your furniture for any signs of damage from termites. Here are the top signs to look out for.
- A termite swarm. This is often the first sign of termites in your home. Termite swarms are usually found near windowsills and indoor lights. If you see any small insects with two body segments, beaded antenna, four wings of unequal length, and are not flying, they are likely to be termites.
- Blistered or darkened furniture and wood structures.
- Softwood furniture that sounds hollow when tapped.
- Damage to the patio, deck, or wooden fence. The kind of damage here is like the wood has been eaten away.
Termite inspection
If you identify any signs of a termite infestation, but you don't have conclusive evidence, it is essential to have a termite inspection carried out immediately. Termite inspectors have specialized equipment and the expertise to inspect furniture and wood structures around the home to identify any signs of termites. The advantage of an inspection is that you can detect termites even before the home becomes severely infested.
Termite control and treatment
After an infestation has been detected, treatment should be administered immediately to prevent further damage to your wood structures. The most common treatment options include the following:
- Liquid treatment which is the most common treatment method. It involves the use of liquid termiticides which can be utilized for both treatment or prevention of termites.
- Bait treatment where bait traps are placed around the perimeter of your home.
- Fumigation which uses extreme pesticides. It is usually used when the infestation is extensive, especially by hardwood termites. The treatment uses gases, and you will be required to vacate the home for a few days until the fumes clear from the atmosphere.
The treatment for termites should be done by a professional to ensure that the infestation is controlled. In some cases, the specialist may monitor your home and administer multiple treatments for a particular period depending on the extent of the infestation.
