A termite infestation strike houses and produce dangerous results. Guide to causes and how to prevent their onslaught.
If you must assume the exterminator role yourself here are some suggestions. You may use special insecticides. Drilling small holes into the diseased wood and pumping these chemicals in will kill the termites in several months. After the holes have been drilled you must fill them with caulk, however, to ensure that the termites are fully exposed to the death gas. Additionally, if you take boric acid dissolved in water and apply a layer to the wood termites will steer clear of your territory. Some people have found that using propane heat on the termites works as well. Professional guidance is recommended for this procedure, however. Freezing the bugs is safer and easier. Liquid nitrogen pumped into the wood will freeze the termites to death.
While these solutions may rid you of pests, the best solution is always prevention. Here are some ways of making sure your home is not a termite target. The most important thing to remember is a dry foundation is an inedible foundation; if you keep your wood dry you will not have a problem with termites. Avoid planting thirsty plants near the base of the house. Excess watering will attract termites if the wood retains the liquid. Avoid, if you can, building with woods termites find tasty, such as cedar and redwood. Digging a tiny tunnel (five inches deep) around your house and filling it with sand will block the passage to the wood as well. There are products you can purchase at the hardware store that will protect your wood. Buy a wood preservative that contains pentachlorophenol and apply a few layers to the wood. Cover all the cracks and fissures to make sure it is completely insulated. Remember to remove any rotted wood you find so that the termites do not spread.
If you follow the above measures it is likely that your house will be safe. It is recommended however, if you have corroded wood that you seek professional help before you act. Sometimes rotten wood is an indicator of a dry rot. Dry rot is a microscopic fungus that, unlike its name suggests, is very wet. If the moisture of your wood is over twenty percent dry rot can appear. The air-borne fungus spreads quickly in wet conditions. Feeding on the cellulose fibers of the wood, this fungus acts much like a termite. When the wood becomes very porous as a result of this hungry fungus it will absorb more and more water and will become weaker and weaker. At some point the weakness will translate into a crumbling foundation and a sloping, sinking, or crumbling house above. To prevent dry rot you can use the same methods as you would for keeping termites away. Remember, dry wood is happy termite-free, rot-free wood.
