Termites can have a devastating effect on your home when left uncontrolled. In a coherent colony of termites, their population can reach millions, and they are capable of devouring more than twenty-five pounds of wood in a single year. Termites are adept at hiding, and by the time you realize you have got an infestation, it could be too late.
Flying termites, also dubbed as “swarmers” or “alates,” leave their existing colonies to reproduce and find suitable locations to establish new colonies elsewhere. If you spot these tiny creatures in your lawn or backyard, it is an indication that you already have an active infestation.
These are the seven fast and easy tips that you can apply to get rid of flying termites.
Orange Oil
The main component of orange oil is d-limonene, which is toxic to termites. Orange oil disintegrates termites’ exoskeletons, causing them to lose moisture and proteins and eventually die. The oil is made from orange peels and is available at home improvement and garden stores as well as online.
Spray the oil directly on termites or locations where termites are suspected. You can also use the oil to keep termites away from your home. Therefore, whether you have termites or not, spraying the oil on a monthly basis is an effective remedy to keep your house free of termites.
Cardboard
You can make a cheap and effective termite trap out of cardboard, which you presumably already have in your home. Termites are fond of cellulose. It’s a chemical that’s present in both wood and cardboard.
Putting a moist cardboard sheet in a termite-infested location is efficacious to attract termites. Once they start consuming the cardboard, you can opt for various methods to eliminate them. It is recommended to spray an insecticide or natural bug killer on the cardboard to exterminate termites entirely.
Boric Acid
Boric acid, a powerful insecticide, is quite effective against most insects, especially termites. It is available online and at most major retailers. Boric acid encapsulates the bug and causes it to dehydrate. The insect’s nervous system gets damaged, and it dies as a result of dehydration.
Boric acid is available in powder form and can be used both indoors and outdoors. You can use the powder to protect the perimeter of your property, as well as windows, doors, entryways, and other spots where flying termites are present.
Nematodes
Nematode, a type of parasitic worm, feeds on termites. These tiny worms can be purchased online or at specialist stores. When released into the areas where termites have established their colony, nematodes will devour them until all termites are gone.
Vinegar
Vinegar is a fantastic item to have in your house. It can not only be used to clean anything from your kitchen counter to your bathroom but it can also be used to destroy termites. Simply combine vinegar with lemon juice, and you have a killer solution that can annihilate termites.
Fill a spray bottle with the mixture and sprinkle it around the infested areas. The termites will be killed as soon as they come into touch with the acidic fluid.
Sunlight
As termites despise the sun, they simply perish when exposed to too much sunshine or heat. If a piece of furniture or any other wooden structure at your home gets infested with termites, place it in the sunlight. It shouldn’t take long for all of those pesky pests to leave these items in the scorching heat of summer.
Bug Zappers
A bug zapper contains a light that attracts the termites and electrocutes them once they come into contact. Bug zappers are quite productive against flying termites, and professional exterminators recommend their usage to eradicate infestations
You can also use a fly swatter to kill flying termites, but using a bug zapper is a far more pragmatic option. Bug zapper becomes a lot more effective in low light. Therefore, it is vital to switch off the lights in your home when using a bug zapper indoors. They are readily available at home depots and online stores.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know some fast, effective, and easy methods to deal with flying termites, you can eliminate them in no time. However, the most realistic approach to eradicate termites is to opt for a licensed termite control company. Their professionals are trained to identify even the minutest indicators of termite activity and apply preventive measures that can save you thousands of dollars in hefty repairs.
