After my niece had a serious reaction to pest control, I realized that we were up against a few big problems. For starters, I knew that we needed to identify the types of pests that we were struggling with, and then we needed to find green products that would be safe for her to be around. It was a little bit of a challenge at first, but within a few weeks we found a company that offered the perfect line of products. I wanted to start a blog completely committed to pest control, so I started this site. Read more about keeping your family safe here.
Termites can destroy home foundations as well as wreak havoc on your wooden furniture. Termites are beneficial in getting rid of old tree stumps, but wooden furniture is not where you want to see them. The furniture has likely been infested by drywood termites, which don't need moisture to survive. You should be able to handle small infestations by following these tips.
Identify an Infestation
To take care of termite removal in wood furniture, gather:
To determine if there is an infestation, look for holes and cracks. Not all holes and cracks are signs of infestation, but they provide oxygen. Insert a pointed object into a hole. An object that falls out indicates a sign of infestation.
Look for sawdust, wood-colored drippings, or wings that have shed around the area. An infestation will also resemble a leaky spot on the wood, and your walls may have mud tubes. Mud tubes could mean subterranean termites, which also feed on wood. Mud tubes allow the termites to move safely to a food source.
Try Heat
Set the piece outdoors in direct sunlight for two to three warm days. Termites don't like extreme heat, so it should be effective.
This will also help eliminate subterranean termites by reducing the moisture. Rotate the piece throughout the day, so the sun gets to all the areas. Do this daily for one week until the termites are gone, and repeat every six months to prevent infestations.
Set Cardboard Traps
Termites are attracted to the cellulose in wood and cardboard. Wet three to four cardboard boxes or strips of cardboard with water in a spray bottle, tape them together, and stack them near the furniture.
The cardboard may be used in conjunction with the sunlight method. Check the cardboard after two days, and burn it.
Apply Orange Oil, Paraffin Wax, Neem Oil or Diatomaceous Earth
Spray the wood with orange oil, or transfer it to a spray bottle Orange oil contains a substance from orange peels called d-limonine, a very effective termite remedy. The high acid content helps kill the insects on contact by penetrating the exoskeleton. It is ideal to use for drywood termites.
Alternately, apply neem oil, if you want something non-toxic. If neem oil or orange oil doesn't work, or they are not available, try paraffin oil. Reapply the treatment every two or three days
Another safe substance to use is diatomaceous earth, a substance made from fossil remains tiny marine creatures called diatoms. Spray food-grade DE around the infested area once daily wearing a dust mask. For more information, contact a business such as 1st Solution Pest Control.
Share27 February 2018
