Did you know that termites damage around 600,000 homes in the United States each calendar year? Dealing with termite damage is an absolute nightmare, to say the least. That’s why, if you own a home, you need to make sure that you do everything that you can to not be apart of that statistic.
Of course, preventing termites is very much possible with regular termite treatment and proper precautions. But if you already have them in your home, knowing how to get rid of termites can be quite complicated.
Is it possible to get rid of termites yourself? And how can you know when it’s time to call on the help of a termite expert?
In this article, we’ll give you the answers to both of those questions. We’ll also tell you everything that you need to know about how to remove termites, as well as prevent them, so you can keep your home safe and secure.
Remove Any Food Sources From Your Home
If you’re having issues with termites in your home, the first thing that you need to do is figure out what food sources are nearby. Of course, the overall foundation of your home isn’t something that you can remove from the equation.
But things like firewood and mulch, especially when located close to your home, are two food sources that you can indeed take away from termites. So, if you’re having termite issues, and you need help getting rid of them for good, start by looking at what you can do to starve them out of your home.
Take Care of Your Landscaping Regularly
A lot of major issues for your home can be caused by not taking proper care of your landscaping. If you have plants, bushes, or trees that are near your home or even touch it, you need to make sure that you keep them well maintained.
Failure to do so could lead to tons of structural issues. It can also make it easier for all sorts of insects and rodents to gain access to your home, which isn’t good, either.
One of those insects is, of course, termites. So, if you have bushes out in front of your home, and you’re struggling to combat termites, trim them down so you can make sure that they aren’t making matters worse for you.
Let the Sunshine Help You Out
Did you know that sunlight can actually kill termites? Because of this, it’s important to let the sunshine help you combat any termite issues that you may be having.
Of course, doing this is often easier said than done. This is especially true if your termite issues reside in the structure of your home, where sunlight access isn’t an option.
But if it’s the exterior of your home that is stuffing from termites, you can make sure that no landscaping is blocking the surface area so it can get some sunlight exposure. That, combined with the proper termite treatment plan, gives you the best chance to remove termites from your home for good.
Set Out Cardboard Termite Traps
We’ll be honest. Combating termites isn’t as easy as combating some other insects or rodents. With other insects and rodents, traps and sprays are simply much more effective than with termites.
With that in mind, termite traps do exist, and when used properly, can yield positive results. Our advice? If your termite issue isn’t severe, and you’ve already used the other tips on this list, give cardboard termite traps a try.
If they don’t work, or your termite issue gets worse, don’t continue dealing with your termite problem yourself. Call a professional out immediately so you can reduce the chances of termites spreading to other areas of your home.
Call a Professional for Help
To piggyback off of that last point, it’s important to make sure that you lean on the help of a professional when dealing with termite issues. Sure, there are things that you can do to combat the issue yourself. And all of those things we’ve clearly outlined on this list.
But to make sure that your home is safe, it’s never a bad idea to call out a professional right away. That way you can prevent your termite issue from spreading and becoming a much bigger problem for you down the line.
It’s not uncommon for a termite issue to go from a four-figure issue to a five-figure issue rather fast. So, to prevent yourself from spending more money later, and to protect your most valuable asset, your home, it’s worth calling in a termite professional sooner rather than later.
It’s important that you do indeed call on a reputable professional to deal with your termite issue. The folks at Synergy², for example, have a track record of successfully dealing with termite issues.
Still Not Sure How to Get Rid of Termites?
As you can see, knowing how to get rid of termites yourself isn’t all that simple. There are things that you can do to prevent termites or even reduce them in your home. But ultimately the help of a professional will be needed to solve this problem for good.
That’s why we recommend that, if you notice signs of termite damage in your home, you call a termite expert ASAP.
Looking for more helpful tips and tricks that you can use to maintain your home? Check back with our blog often for tons of useful information and ideas.