And the great damage is not just the headache of having them as guests at home, but also the damage caused, because it is necessary to prepare: everything that is made of wood will be ruined by them.
There are some ways to prevent this pest from choosing your furniture as a home (at least not too soon). If they have already chosen their things as a residence and the famous dust left by them is already seen around the corners, this article is for you.
There are some natural solutions – that is, that you can do at home – to solve this problem. Check it out below:
How to find termites?
To eliminate termites, you must first find them. It's not that easy, but it's not that difficult either. Do you know the dust left by termites (which is usually the sign that alerts us to the presence of this insect)? In reality, this dust is the animal's feces.
So it is! And the theory is simple: if there is termite feces in your house, they are surely feeding on some of your wooden furniture, in addition to baseboards and the floor itself.
Termites live in colonies. Therefore, you need to follow the trail of the “dust” left by them (ie, the feces) to find them. Other signs that you're going the right way and that it won't take long to find the bugs are the holes they leave in the object when they feed on the wood – small holes, one next to the other – and, of course, the fact for the wood to become hollow.
So, even if you can't see the holes (it's worth getting a magnifying glass to check), you can tap the furniture lightly to check if it's hollow and if, when you hit, more termite feces fall from that surface.
When you find the junction of all these elements, most likely you will have found a termite colony. These critters are not normally visible, as they stay inside the wood. So don't expect to see many animals walking around, ok?
how to get rid of them
Now that you know how to find them, it's time to find out how to eliminate them from your home. Let's go to solutions?
Solution #1: Vinegar
When the case with termites is not too serious, vinegar is a great solution. It also serves as a prevention for homes that do not have signs of termites. Simply mix one part vinegar to one part water in a spray bottle. Mix it up a little and throw it in strategic spots, such as the corners of furniture and in places where the wood is thinner – normally, termites start feeding in the easiest places.
If it is not prevention, but elimination, you can reduce the amount of water a little to make the mixture even stronger. Spray in all the spaces you think are necessary and where you believe the insects are.
Keep in mind that this solution will not solve the problem all at once. You will need to apply the mixture for a few days until you see effective results. If the infestation has already taken on greater proportions, it may be better to look for more efficient alternatives, on large scales.
Solution #2: Orange Oil
Great alternative for those who have pets at home, because orange oil doesn't harm anything or anyone - with the exception of termites, which die from simple contact. There's not much of a secret here: just apply the oil in the desired places.
When the focus is on prevention, mix the orange oil with a little water or another product that will be used during the cleaning and pass it on the furniture and floor. The essential oil will not only help prevent termite colonies from growing, it will also leave a very pleasant aroma in your home!
Solution #3: Sodium Borate
Sodium borate can be purchased from pharmacies in small or larger amounts, depending on what you need. It is necessary to be a little careful with this type of material, because it is toxic and must be handled in places where children and pets cannot reach. If you need to use the product in low areas with a lot of traffic, make sure that the perimeter is well blocked so that there is no accident.
Simply mix eight parts water to one part sodium borate in a container. That is, use 2 liters of water for every 250g of product. Put the mixture on the infested spots. Remember to wear gloves and goggles when handling!
Solution #4: Other essential oils
In addition to orange essential oil, other essential oils are also effective against termites. If you prefer, you can use clove or lavender essential oil, which will also have an effect against insects – remember that orange is the best option.
Solution #5: Commercialized Sprays
If you prefer other means than natural ones, there are products on the market that are poisonous to termites. These products usually have a very thin beak, which can be placed inside the holes left by termites in the places where they have passed.
However, remember that the smell is very strong. Therefore, when applying the poison, leave the furniture in the sun for a few hours, in an open, dry and cool place. Watch out for moisture, termites love it!
Solution #6: Dedetization
In more serious cases and which natural solutions or commercialized at low cost do not solve, the best way to get rid of these unwanted tenants is pest control. Call a specialized company that, together with you, will make the best plan of attack against the animals.
It is important to take some precautions, such as leaving the house empty for at least 12 hours. Pets of any kind should return home within 24 hours of poisoning, regardless of the amount put in – better safe than sorry, right?
Remember that termites don't just feed on wood! These insects feed on everything that has a high concentration of cellulose, such as paper and fabrics, so the sooner you can eliminate them, the better! You don't want to see your furniture, documents and clothes destroyed, do you?!
Written by Giovanna Frugis from the Eu Sem Fronteiras team.
