How To Get Rid Of Termites In South Africa
OVERVIEW
Essentially, termites definitely bite wood and do attack other insects, but they do not bite people. Although homeowners experiencing an infestation should not be concerned about receiving bites from termites, professional extermination methods should be sought and implemented to protect the structure of your home.Termites are eusocial insects that are classified at the taxonomic rank of infraorder Isoptera, or alternatively as epifamily Termitoidae, within the order Blattodea.
How To Get Rid Of Termites In South Africa
- Investigate Signs of Damage. The first thing you need to do is identify the issue you have. Looking for disrupted wood as well as listening for a faint ticking noise can tell you where colonies might be. Some infestations are obvious while others are not. It is therefore important to identify both. With this discovery you are now better prepared deal with the concern.
- Remove Moisture. Now that you have found a troubled area, you can start to solve the problem. Firstly, If there is one area that termites love to explore its those that are rich in moisture. Focusing on making sure that the inside of your home (and its foundation outside) is dry can prove to be a vital element in termite eradication. Doing this gives these pests one less place that they will thrive most in.
- Direct Sunlight. While termites love water, they absolutely despise warmth. When they are exposed to constant sunlight, Termites have been known to die off due to its unforgiving heat. This explains why colonies will often reside under plants or away from the sun. Clearing any cover takes away any kind of protection that they used to have, killing them naturally.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
What kills termites permanently in South Africa?
What chemical kills termites? There are two main chemicals used to kill termites—fipronil and hexaflumuron. Fipronil is the specially designed chemical used as an active ingredient in many different liquid termiticides. In high enough concentrations, it can kill termites on contact.
What kills termites instantly in South Africa?
Bifen XTS is a fast-acting, oil-based termiticide that can kill termites in 24 hours by attacking their nervous systems. This treatment is not recommended for use indoors. Spray it around the perimeter of your home to kill termites.
What kills termites naturally South Africa?
Borax powder, or sodium borate, can kill termites naturally. You just sprinkle the powder on the termites and the affected area, or you make a solution of the powder and water to spray or paint on affected areas. You can also paint the solution on surfaces as a termite repellant.
What attracts termites to a house in South Africa?
In addition to wood inside the home, termites are drawn inside by moisture, wood in contact with house foundations, and cracks in building exteriors. Different combinations of these factors attract different species. Additionally, geographic location plays a role in how likely homeowners are to deal with infestations.
Can I treat for termites myself?
The simple answer to this is no. Here’s why. There are a number of different DIY treatments available on the market at the moment, but they all use the same form of repellent chemical base. Repellents, unlike termiticides are designed to deter termites rather than kill them.
How do I permanently get rid of termites in my house?
While you cannot get rid of termites permanently from the environment, you can help prevent them from taking root in your home and control any active colonies nearby. Although it may be tempting to try termite control yourself, prevention and treatment is best left to the professionals.
Does vinegar get rid of termites?
DIY methods for ridding your home of termites is never a good idea. It’s true that ammonia will kill termites; however, that doesn’t make ammonia a good remedy for homeowners looking to DIY termite control—and the same goes for vinegar as a pest control solution.
What kind of vinegar kills termites?
Exterminating Termites With White Vinegar. Another successful method for killing termites is the use of white vinegar. All you have to do is combine the juice of two lemons with a half cup of vinegar.
How does salt get rid of termites?
To eliminate termites you should take some salt and spread it on the ground outside your house. Make sure that you cover the entire perimeter. Make a void in the ground outside the house and fill it with water and rock salt. Do this regularly to keep termites from entering your home.
What smells do termites hate?
A commonly mentioned substance termites hate can be found even in your kitchen. It’s vinegar! The problem is, it’s difficult to permeate this smell through any interior wood where termites could hide, and the liquid could risk weakening dry wood further.
How do you make homemade termite killer?
Vinegar can be used on its own, but for maximum effectiveness, create a spray by mixing ½ cup of white vinegar with about four tablespoons of lemon juice, or about two lemons worth of juice. Put this into a spray bottle and spray wherever you see termites two or three times a day.
Do termites return to the same spot?
As a homeowner, you most probably expect termite treatment to offer permanent protection against another infestation but that is, unfortunately, not the case. Even after fumigation, termites can still find a way into your home again, if a barrier is not created to discourage re-entry.
How do you keep termites from coming back?
By keeping the infected furniture in the sun, the heat will kill the termites and remove moisture from the furniture preventing chances of re-infestation. The smart thing here would be to dust off the furniture thoroughly and use a termite spray on it before bringing it back into the house.
What does vinegar and lemon do to termites?
Spray the mixture onto any entrance holes or termite mounds you come across. Also spray onto any surfaces termites might attack like wooden structures or garden fences as well as corners of buildings termites might eat into. The mixture will seep through the cracks and holes and kill the termites.
Why do termites suddenly appear?
Swarming. It may seem as if termites suddenly appear when they are in swarming mode. During mating season, winged reproductives, called alates, swarm at dusk in the spring months, usually after rainfall, to find a mate and start new colonies.