wood rot repairs

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The most effective termite control agents: the best chemicals and traps

One of the main dangers is that termites can be very secretive enemies. Traces of their vital activity can not even be observed. They can bite into your house, for example, from under the foundation and empty all the inside of the wooden floors of the house. The worst thing is that they will last 2-3 years for your fortress to collapse - in the truest sense of the word.

This guide will be useful not only to those who have already found trouble, but also to those who want to protect themselves and their home from the appearance of these disgusting insects. Today we will find out who the termites are, how they live, and why they need to destroy our settlements so much. And also consider the most effective ways to control pests, means of prevention and the opinion of respected experts on this matter. termite damage repair

Who are termites and why are they dangerous?

Small insects, remotely resembling ants, with white bodies and wings. In the process of evolution descended from cockroaches, and the ants are just their enemies. They have a clearly defined hierarchy for such insects. Seeing them once live or at least in pictures on the Internet - you are unlikely to confuse them with someone else.

Why do termites destroy houses?

Termite food is cellulose. The main repository of this material, as we know, is wood, and only then all its derivatives: paper, cardboard, etc. In the nature context, termites cannot even be called pests, since they feed only on dead wood. In extremely rare cases, they can be found in a living tree. But since houses are built from recycled wood, this is a great treat for these insects. And the fact that they are not interested in the tree itself, but only cellulose is indicated by the trash left at the crime scene.

What termites are dangerous?

There are 2 main types of termites: underground and wood. The former live both in the ground and in the tree, the latter, respectively, only in structures made of wood. Underground individuals also live in different sheds, garden houses, dunghills. They do much more harm to your property. If you were able to determine that it was these termites that attacked you - it will not be easy at all, most likely, you will need to turn to professionals.

How to determine that a house is infected with termites?

If you have at least one of these symptoms, immediately start taking action or contact a specialist:

Small round holes - termites gnaw holes and gnaw tunnels, than they at the same time eat and make their way
Tunnels - if you find cracks, damaged places, then try to "pick it up" even wider and see if this is just damage or a termite trace.
Dust - small heaps of dust next to the above holes. Another sure sign.
Waste - if termites hide their existence well, then they simply get rid of excrement. According to them, and you can track insects.
How to get rid of termites by natural means
To begin with, you can try to transfer infected wood from the site. This is a humane method, implying that termites that are harmful to the human economy can be moved to where they will be useful as participants in soil metabolism.

Small pieces of wood that contain living termites can be soaked in soapy water to kill insects. Large chunks can be taken to landfills or nature, where termite abilities will benefit, scientists at the University of Washington say.

Nitrogen and electric current. If termites are found in dry wood, they can be eliminated with liquid nitrogen. For this, small holes are drilled in the affected wood where nitrogen is introduced. Another option for physical impact is electricity. Using a special The Electrogun ™ pistol, insects inside dry wood send a high-voltage electric charge of small amperage. It is used for limited infections. For this, microwave radiation is also used.
Cardboard traps. The cardboard trap, which you can create yourself by wetting two sheets of cardboard laid on top of each other, will give a limited effect. When they are filled with insects, cardboard can be destroyed in accessible ways. But it is important to understand that this method will not solve the problem of the emergence of new individuals. Pest control manufacturers also release sticky cardboard traps. One of these traps is presented in the selection of funds below.

Sun or frost - these measures are quite complex and may be suitable for furniture and other small objects. Remove contaminated wood for warming in the sun. But scientists from the University of California, California, at the University of Agriculture and Natural Resources warn that "the processing process involves heating all the wood in the structure to almost 50 degrees and keeping this temperature for more than half an hour." Can you provide these conditions? Freezing is even harder. Put the furniture in a huge freezer, if you have one, or take it out in the cold if it happens in your area. Termites will die within 1-2 days.

Do not worry if the problem could not be solved by improvised means. Less than 4% of such attempts result in success. It is recommended that these measures be combined with those below, and as a result, their combined effectiveness will increase dramatically.

Organic Termite Killers

Dust and powder. Another way is to drain insects with special dust, such as diatomaceous earth or silica with airgel. They crash into the chitin cover of insects and penetrate inward, drawing fluid from the body. Dust is safe for humans if not inhaled. Use a mask and goggles to avoid irritation of the mucous membranes. However, scientists differ on the effectiveness of diatomaceous earth. Some recognize it as effective, others do not. Most likely, the answer lies in one of its features: diatomaceous earth loses its effectiveness even at low humidity. Therefore, it can only be used for termites in dry wood. repair termite damage