It’s no secret, that termites are destructive pests that nobody wants to have infest their home. This makes sense given that termites cause over 30 billion dollars’ worth of damage in the United States per year. The average homeowner affected by termites will have to pay around $3,000 in repairs. That’s why it’s important to act quickly to eliminate termites from your home once they get inside. But acting quickly is only half the battle. You also have to act effectively, too. That means relying on termite control solutions that work. Unfortunately, many homeowners turn to DIY termite control solutions that aren’t all that effective, which means more costly damage for them. Therefore, if you want to protect your Aiken home from termites, you need to know what your best options are.
Termite Basics
Termites are ant-like insects that have segmented bodies, six legs, antennae, and strong mandibles that they use to chew through wood. They are usually pale yellow, brown, or black. Termite colonies consist of three separate castes: workers, soldiers, and reproductives (which have wings). Workers are the termites that will damage your home, as they are the ones who gather food for the colony. Soldiers are tasked with defending the colony from any would-be threats. The reproductives are the termites who will set out and create new colonies at certain times of the year. This process is what’s referred to as a termite swarm. Unless it is during a swarm, you will likely never see an actual termite in your home.
The Pitfalls Of DIY Termite Control
Many homeowners, when faced with a termite infestation, choose to handle the problem on their own. Some of the methods that they might turn to include the use of orange oil, vinegar, or over-the-counter sprays. And while some of these products might be able to eliminate some termites, they are not all that effective in getting rid of entire colonies. What’s more, most people don't know all the places termites might be. For instance, while termites feed on wood, most species do not nest inside of it. Therefore, if you cannot locate the colony itself, you likely will not be able to eliminate it. The unfortunate truth is, that most people do not possess the proper knowledge to effectively eliminate termites from their homes. As such, they will end up paying more for repairs than they would have had they contacted the pest professionals in the first place.
Tried And True Termite Prevention Techniques
While we do not recommend trying to eliminate termites on your own, there are some steps that you can take to help prevent termites from ever getting inside in the first place. These include:
- Limit any wood-to-soil contact around your home.
- Create a gravel or cement barrier between the exterior of your home and the soil.
- Fill in any cracks in the foundation of your home.
- Keep woodpiles away from the exterior of your home.
- Remove or replace any rotting or moisture-damaged wood in your home.
- Use dehumidifiers to keep moisture levels low inside your home.
- Inspect any wood or wooden objects for termites before bringing them inside.
The Most Effective Termite Control Method
If you find yourself dealing with a termite infestation in your home, don’t waste your time and money trying to take care of it yourself. Instead, let the trained professionals here at Aiken Pest take care of it for you. Our certified pest technicians have all the requisite experience and expertise to effectively eliminate any termite infestation you're dealing with. Don’t pay more for repairs than you have to; give us a call today or click here to get started.