Termites can cause a series of damages to woodwork as well as the furnishings in your home. In some countries people lose nearly ten percent of their total capital outlay of buildings due to termite destruction. Therefore, it is advisable to address your pest control problems right down to the core.
There are two types of termites that are found in Singapore.
1. Dry wood termites –
As the name suggests these termites form small colonies in dry wood. Usually active in humid coastal areas they are known to damage only wooden structures. Most of the times dry wood termites are recognized when you can see holes of nearly 5 mm diameter in a wooden structure. Although cracks in the veneer are also a sign of their existence, but by the time you can see those cracks, the damage is already severe.
2. Subterranean termites –
By their looks these termites are highly similar to normal ants, only difference being their whitish, pale color. They prefer to build their colonies in damp areas and thus their nests are found underground in damp soil. They attack the foundation of your home and then move upwards, destroying everything that comes in their way. Even a slight crack or opening, which is usually left due to imperfect masonry, is enough to act as their entry point.
Natural ways for killing termites
There are several natural method that you can use to get rid of these creatures. All such methods are usually cheap and doesn’t require too much expertise for their proper execution. However, they work only in cases where the termite infection is at its initial stages.
1. Removal of debris –
This method is suitable for killing subterranean termites. When you find in your home any colony or signs of attack of these type of creatures, it is time for you to start removing all the debris from the soil such as roots, stumps, and any other trash that attracts termites. By doing this you will interfere in their normal functioning and destroy their colonies. Make sure that the debris that you have removed is properly destroyed so that all the termite found is permanently killed.
2. Destroy wooden mulch –
Dry wood termite can attack the wooden mulch in a very short span of time. Therefore, if you are living in an area that is prone to these termites, you should destroy all the wooden mulch to kill such creatures. Usually people use wooden mulch if cedar mulch is unavailable, but this is not a good idea in termite prone regions.
3. Digging and flooding the soil –
Another way of killing subterranean termites is by deep digging the soil of the area where you think they have built their colonies. This digging will destroy their colonies and bring them out in the open. After this you can flood that area with water. This is one of the most effective methods of killing subterranean termite, because they drown and die in water.
4. Sunlight kills termite –
Always remember that all kinds of termites thrive in dark places and hate heat and sunlight. Therefore, if you are living in a termite prone area, it is better to place your wooden furniture where it gets better exposure to sunlight. If your home doesn’t have enough access to direct sunlight, you can achieve this goal by rotating your wooden furniture in periodic intervals. Because the weather of Singapore is usually cloudy, you should try to use this technique whenever you get the chance to do so. This technique is a great way to kill termite without spending any money.
5. De-moisturize your home –
Termites love moisture, as it is important for their survival. The humid environment in Singapore is highly conducive for their growth. Therefore, it is important for you to de-moisturize your home to make it a place where their existence is unsustainable. You can use air-conditioners to keep moisture levels under control. If there is a section of a wall in your home where you can see signs of dampness, it is better to keep your furniture away from that wall. In addition, to keep moisture levels low, try to seal all the leakage points in the roof or wall by using some waterproofing sealants or membranes.
6. Microwave treatment –
You can use a microwave device to kill termites. Microwave kills these creatures by destroying their cell membranes. Although this is a technique that requires you to buy a specific device for which you may have to spend some extra money, but the results you will get are fast and permanent. Another benefit of this method is that the results you get are similar to those of a chemical treatment, but you are not left with any chemical residue. However, the accuracy in locating termites is critical to success of this treatment process.
Chemical method of killing termites
Using chemicals to kill termites is a highly effective method that delivers fast results. However, using chemicals comes with its own dangers and any mistake can cause serious injury. If you have children or pets in your home, you must keep chemicals at a place which is out of their reach.
1. Using arsenic trioxide –
By using a chemical called arsenic trioxide you can easily kill a complete colony of these creatures. Termites have a cannibalistic nature, therefore, after death their remains are eaten by other termites. This means that even if you are able to inject only a few termites with arsenic trioxide, after their death other termites of that colony are automatically infected by this chemical. This way the chemical is transferred from one termite to another and eventually whole colony is destroyed.
Conclusion
Although fighting the infestation of termites on your own may seem a profitable option, but you must know that it has its limitations. Most of these methods to kill termite are suitable for situations when their attack is detected by you in an early stage. Therefore, if you are living in a termite prone area, you must stay vigilant to catch them early. However, if you observe that their infection in your home is more than you thought, it is better to take the help of professionals before it is too late.
