Termites are destructive creatures that can wreak havoc on your home and yard in a hurry. Homeowners in the Auburndale area need to know what they can do to get rid of termites when they recognize the signs of infestation.
Our team is here to act as your go-to resource for termite removal, which is why we put together this guide on how to get rid of termites in your home. In this blog, we’ll discuss:
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- Signs of termite infestation
- How to get rid of termites in the house
- Best ways to kill drywood termites
- Best ways to kill subterranean termites
- Tips for termite prevention in your home
- When to contact a pest control professional
Signs of Termite Infestation
There are several signs that homeowners can watch for that will indicate a subterranean termite infestation in their home or yard. These include:
- Mud Tunnels: Also known as “mud tubes,” these long, narrow, vein-like tunnels run along the side of your home, starting from the ground and working their way toward any areas with exposed wood.
- Discarded Wings: Dried, scattered wings around your doors, windows, air vents, and other openings don’t just point to a possible termite infestation — they illustrate evidence of reproduction.
- Termite Swarms: When you notice airborne termites flying toward light sources in or around your property, this is a sign that they are swarming to a new place to call home. This normally happens in the spring.
- Damaged Wood: Buckling, blistered, hollowed, and damaged wooden floors, furniture, and fixtures are a hallmark of termite infestations since these pesky critters love to eat wood.
How to Get Rid of Termites in the House
Termites can eat away at your home’s walls, floors, foundation, insulation, and other structural elements. In fact, termites are responsible for nearly $2 billion in structural damage and pest control expenses for homeowners and landlords all over the U.S. each year. This is why it’s so important to eliminate these insects quickly the moment you recognize an infestation.
There are two main types of termites that Massachusetts homeowners may encounter: drywood termites and subterranean termites. The best way to kill a termite depends on the type of species that’s infesting your home.
Best Ways to Kill Subterranean Termites
Subterranean termites are more commonly found in the New England region. These destructive insects nest underground and tunnel into your home through mud tubes. They live in larger colonies ranging from 100,000 – 1 million members, making infestations extremely problematic for homeowners.
There are several different methods you can use to kill subterranean termites, including:
- Insecticides: Foaming termiticides and dust agents can easily seep into hard-to-reach cracks and crevices where termites may be hiding, effectively eliminating them from your living space.
- Termite Baits: Treat unsuspecting termites to a feast full of poison by using termite baits to lure in termites and have them carry poisonous materials back to their colony as a food source.
- Termite Barriers: Liquid termiticides can be applied to your soil, mulch, or wood chips in your backyard to create a barrier that kills termites as they pass through the barrier and spread pesticide poison from colony member to colony member.
Tips for Termite Prevention in Your Home
Once you’ve killed the termites in your home or backyard, it’s important to take steps to prevent infestation from recurring. There are several preventative measures that homeowners can take to mitigate their risk of termite infestation:
- Avoid Moisture: Subterranean termites in particular are drawn to moist areas, so be sure to keep your home dry and take care of any plumbing problems that might increase leaks or dampness.
- Remove Wood: Get rid of firewood stacks or tree stumps that are close to your home, patio, crawl space, deck, or any other wooden structures around your property.
- Yard Materials: Whenever possible, avoid using wood materials around the yard, choosing rubber, gravel, and mulch instead of wood chips to prevent giving termites a readily available food source.
- Keep Clean: Make regular maintenance a must for your gutters and pipes to prevent moisture and remove any wooden debris that might create a perfect food source for termites.
- Professional Inspection: If you’ve noticed signs of termite infestation or have dealt with termites in the past, request a free termite inspection to ensure your home is pest-free — the way it should be.
When to Contact A Pest Control Professional
Any termite infestation requires professional attention. This is because termites live underground, feed on wood from the inside out and there are very limited control options legally available to homeowners. Consider contacting a professional for help if:
- You’ve noticed the signs of infestation in your home or yard
- You’re concerned about the long-term damage termites can do to your home
- You have pets or small children and want eco-friendly yet impactful solutions
- You’ve had termite infestations in the past .
GreenHow is proud to offer free termite inspections to families throughout the Boston area and beyond. Our team understands that termite infestations are a cause for alarm, which is why we provide all inspections within 24 – 48 hours of your call.
Equipped with the most sophisticated pest control solutions, our professional team will eliminate termites from your home or yard in no time. Call us at (617) 964-4733 to request a free termite inspection today!
