How to Protect Your Home with DIY Termite Control Measures
A house is a valuable high-ticket investment because it provides a secure place to live while appreciating over time. For this reason, it is the responsibility of the homeowner to ensure it is maintained and kept in good condition. Naturally, this includes keeping up with pest control, which can be done through regular inspections and treatments. Many pests can affect your home, but one of the most common is termites.
Termites are wood-eating insects that can cause severe damage to a house if left unchecked. They can cause structural damage to the home, including walls, ceilings, and floors. Different pest control treatment options exist for termites, but many try to exterminate them without professional help. However, this is where its effectiveness is questioned, especially since termites can be a persistent problem and difficult to detect and treat.
What Causes a Termite Infestation?
Various factors, including moisture, temperature, and access to food, can cause termite infestations. More specifically, moisture should be eliminated because termites require high humidity levels. This can be found in areas with poor ventilation, such as basements and crawl spaces. Additionally, termites are attracted to wood, so any wood left near the home can provide food.
Termites can enter your home by finding cracks and crevices in the foundation and walls or travelling through the soil. This is why inspecting your home for potential entry points and filling in any cracks and crevices is essential. Additionally, homeowners should check their wood piles, decks, and other structures in contact with the home to ensure they are not providing a food source for termites.
DIY vs. Professional Pest Control
DIY pest control can be an effective and affordable way to address pest infestations. However, one has to know that DIY pest control has limitations and understand when professional pest control may be necessary. DIY pest control is best for small, localised infestations and is typically unsuitable for larger, more persistent infestations.
Professional pest control is typically more effective than DIY pest control, as professionals have the knowledge and experience to identify the pest and determine the best treatment option accurately. Additionally, professional pest control services can provide ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure pest infestation is properly controlled.
However, this is not to say that DIY pest control is not practical because it is. It is only a matter of knowing when it is best to use DIY pest control and when it is best to seek professional help.
The Best DIY Termite Control Strategies
You can use different DIY pest control strategies to protect your home from termites, such as:
Seal Cracks and Gaps
As mentioned, termites can quickly enter your home through cracks and gaps in the walls, windows, and doors. To prevent them from entering, you should seal any cracks and crevices that you find. You can use caulk or weatherstripping to do this, and the same applies to sources of moisture around your home, such as leaking pipes or water-damaged wood.
Remove Woodpiles
Woodpiles are a common food source for termites, so if you have any near your home, they should be removed as soon as possible. You should also avoid storing firewood and other wood debris near your home, especially if wet.
Use Home Products for Solutions
You can also use home products to help prevent and control termite infestations. For example, boric acid is a natural insecticide used to treat wood and other areas of your home prone to termite infestations. Alternatively, you can mix vinegar, lemon juice, and water in a spray bottle and spray it on the affected areas to create an acidic environment that termites avoid.
Conclusion
Termites may not be harmless, but they can still be controlled and prevented with the proper measures. You can protect your home from termite infestations regardless if you hire professionals or utilise DIY pest control solutions. All that matters is that you take action quickly and effectively to rid your home of these pests.
D-Day Pest Control provides top-quality services for termite removal in Geelong. Your home is your safe space, so we use safe and secure pest control solutions to ensure it stays that way. Call us at 0400 031 422 or email matt@d-day.com.au to book your pest removal today!
