How to kill termites?

Termites are on the list of the most destructive creatures due to their gregarious nature and terrible appetite, which can destroy houses, furniture and wooden objects. Priceless ancient books, if not properly preserved, will also become victims of termites, causing immeasurable damage.

Termites can invade your home in a variety of ways, and even solid cement walls can be attacked without anyone noticing for years.

There are 3 common types of termites:

• Drywood termites: This species lives mainly in wooden furniture, and their favorite food is wood. In addition, they also affect the walls of the building.
• Wetwood termites: This type usually lives in damp, rotting wood.
• Subterranean termites: They live mainly underground, and are the most difficult to kill because you cannot see them unless you dig up the ground, or when your house is damp and the ground has cracks. Or worse, your house is built on land where there is a termite nest, they quickly attack the house and you quickly realize it from the consequences left by the termites.

How to kill termites, repel termites?

If the termite infestation is mild, you can refer to some of the following methods to kill and repel termites. If the situation is more severe or to ensure effectiveness and assess the situation correctly, you should use termite extermination services.

How to kill and repel termites with vinegar and lemon

You need to use two lemons, half a bowl of white vinegar, put it in a spray bottle and go around the house and kill termites. This solution is very safe for humans, houses with small children and pets can also use it with complete peace of mind.

How to kill termites with alcohol

When you discover a termite nest, prepare 10-20 liters of 90-degree alcohol, dig a trench around the nest (10 x 10cm) and pour alcohol into it. When termites leave the nest to find food, they will be exposed to alcohol and die. After completely destroying the termites, you should destroy the termite nest to prevent them from nesting again.

Note: Alcohol is flammable so use with caution.

How to safely repel termites with salt

Using salt to kill termites is a fairly effective and safe method. You can follow the instructions below:

Method 1: Pour a mixture of salt and water in a 1-1 ratio into the termite nest or areas where termites appear. Alternatively, you can use a syringe to inject salt water directly into the termite nest.

Method 2: Sprinkle salt directly on the termite path or area where termites appear to keep termites away from where you live.

Termite extermination by light

For termites that often lurk and live in buildings, killing them with light is very effective. When it is dark, put a pot of water under a candle or bright light, termites will be attracted and swarm because they love light, and often look for bright places to mate. Usually after mating, the termites' wings fall off so they easily fall into the water.

In addition to wondering how to kill termites, many people also want to know how to prevent termites from entering their homes. Closing the doors in the house is what you should do if it is raining or windy during the day. If some termites still manage to fly in, you can use a net to prevent and eliminate them.

Signs of termite infestation

Usually, termites like to bore deep into wooden furniture, and by the time they are discovered, the furniture has been severely damaged. To detect termites early, pay attention to the following signs:

- Wood is hollow inside: You can knock on the surface of the wood with your hand. If you hear a croaking sound, it is likely that the inside has been hollowed out by termites.

- Wooden doors are difficult to open or often get stuck: Termite droppings create a hot and humid environment that causes the wood to swell.

- Basement tunnels: Termites often create tunnels to live, travel, and transport food without being detected.

- Termite droppings: Houses attacked by termites often have mounds of brown, granular soil-like droppings. Termite droppings appear mainly in areas where the wood has been damaged.

In addition to damaging homes and belongings, termites can even bite and sting humans, which, although not dangerous, can still cause allergic reactions. Termites do not carry infectious diseases to humans, but can trigger respiratory problems, especially asthma, if you live in a termite-infested environment for a long time.