Termites are small-sized pests that equate to large-sized problems. They work silently and cause catastrophic damages you may not notice for months or even years. If you’ve become a victim of these pests, you’re probably looking for a proper lowdown on how best to get rid of termites in your house.
Look no further. We’ll offer you pest control professional expert advice and time-tested strategies to handle a colony of these destructive pests infamous for royal pain.
We’ll take you through telltale signs that you’re harboring termites within your property, how to get rid of them, the possibility of selling a termite-infested house, and expert advice on how to repair termite damage to your house.
Termites in Your House
Just like ant colonies, most termites are workers. They constantly forage for anything containing cellulose to keep the queen producing eggs and feed the colony. Wood is mainly made of cellulose, making your home a tasty buffet for these aggressive pests to feed. On average, repairing average termite damage would cost you thousands of dollars.
Early detection of termites can help you minimize repair costs and develop an ideal treatment plan. The following are warning signs that you’re hosting termites in your house:
- Termite swarmer and discarded wings
- Signs of wood damage and hollows
- Mud tubes on the wall
- Termite droppings
- Damage under wallpaper or floorboards
- Stuck door frames or window sills
- Loosening tiles and overly squeaky wooden structures
- Buckling support beams and dipping ceilings
- Moldy scents
- Bubbling under the paint and damaged drywalls
- Finding live termites during remodeling
- Discarded termite wings and antennae
- Mud tunnels
Adult termites fall into two different classes. The swarmer termites are very active in spring. They’re often darker than other termites, and they swarm with the help of their wings. These termites include queens and kings.
Worker termites are sterile and blind. They do most of the termite colony’s work. Workers forage outside for food, actively build the new colonies, and feed other termites unable to feed themselves. You’ll often find these paler termites in large numbers around their food sources.
Termites can devastate your home if left unchecked. It takes them a short time to chew through your home’s structural beams and cause structural damage. Save yourself a lot of money and save your house a lot of damage by getting a regular termite inspection and control in Texas.
How To Get Rid of Termites
Termites fall into two major groups: dry-wood termites and subterranean termites. There are specifically recommended procedures to eliminate each type of termite.
Some of the best pest management ways to eliminate termites from your property include spraying boric acid on your walls and floors, setting up termite bait stations, applying direct chemicals on the inside of your home, and applying termite-killer products to your home’s exterior.
You may commit to taking on a termite infestation single-handedly or through the help of experts. These elimination methods range from organic killers to traditional chemical options. Below is an overview of each method.
Getting Rid of Subterranean Termites
Consider the following methods to get subterranean termites in your house:
Inject Soil With Pesticides
Most subterranean termites live in topsoil. If you notice that the termites are coming into your house from the soil, you can easily target them in their colonies. Buy a potent foam or liquid pesticide with a wand and apply it directly to the soil to drench the area. The toxicity will kill any termites that come into contact with the chemicals.
Set Up Termite Baits
Termite baits contain insecticides that kill termites when they feed on them. Buy above-ground termite baits and place them around your home. Alternatively, you may buy underground termite baits and deep them into the soil for utmost functionality. Upon setting up these baits, you should check them regularly for dead termites. Termite baits are neither toxic to animals nor humans. They’re safe to us around your home.
Release Beneficial Nematodes Into the Soil
Beneficial nematodes are small, unsegmented, and beneficial pest control worms. Release the worms into the soil around your home, they’ll search for hosts, including the termite larvae, and kill them in less than 48 hours.
Getting Rid of Drywood Termites
The following methods will help you get rid of drywood termites in your house:
Essential Oils
Neem oil and orange oil inhibit the ability of termites to lay eggs or shed their skins, thereby killing them over time. Mix about ten drops of your chosen oil with some drops of dish soap and two cups of water, shake up the solution, and then apply it on infested wood and materials.
Spot Treatment
If you’re dealing with finished or painted wood, you can drill holes into them and fill these holes with termiticide to combat drywood termites. Drill these holes at an interval of 10 inches into the termite-infested wood. Upon filling the holes, you can close them up using a wood patch or putty.
Cardboard Trap
Upon identifying the termite infestation source, wet two cardboard pieces and make DIY bait by stacking them on top of each other. The cellulose content on these cardboards will attract the termites, and eventually, the pests will be caught between the two pieces.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is composed of fossilized aquatic organisms with silica-made exoskeletons. This termite control method works by penetrating the exoskeleton of termites and dehydrating them. Just sprinkle this powder around the areas where you suspect a termite infestation, then wait for them to crawl over it.
Can You Sell a House With Termites?
Yes, you can sell your house even if it has termite problems. However, you must note that termites can wreak havoc on your home and cause severe damage, making it sell for significantly less than houses with no termite issues. Cash home buyers in Texas may be reluctant to acquire termite-damaged properties.
While it’s true that selling a termite-infested house or one that has had termite problems might be an uphill task, it’s not impossible. With the help of our seasoned real estate experts, you can effectively address the damage and enhance your home’s appeal to potential buyers.
We understand that at other times, you might be having quite pressing issues that prompt you to sell a house as is. If you find this the best action step to consider, there are a few points you must consider. To sell your termite-infested house as-is, consider either of these options:
Sell the Termite-Infested House to a Cash Buyer
Selling a termite-infested house to cash home buyers in Texas can be relatively easy and a great option if you’re willing to take a slight discount. We have your back if you wish to sell your property in San Antonio. We buy houses in San Antonio, renovate them, and sell them back to people at a profit. However, you’ll need to disclose your house has termite infestation or damage.
Sell the Termite-Infested House on the Open Market
You might be meditating on the possibility of selling a termite-infested or damaged house on the open market. Yes, this is possible. However, you’ll need to be as open and upfront as possible.
In several states, disclosing any termite infestation or damage to your house during occupancy is a legal requirement. Disclosing this kind of information is not only an excellent ethical practice but will also save you from any future lawsuits that the new homeowner may launch against you.
As you aid your potential buyers in the home inspection, show them where the infestation occurred and any damage it left behind. You can sell your house fast in Live Oak. However, you must stay alive to the fact that your house may not sell very fast if it has extensive termite damage.
Should You Document Repairs?
It’s important to document all the repairs you make to your house. Record keeping is essential to your house’s functional safety and future valuation. Record the changes when a section of your home is repaired or face-lifted.
Some of the benefits of documenting your home repairs include the following:
- Enables the new buyer to know that the work on their new home was safely and correctly done
- Assures the new buyer that they aren’t going to experience significant problems shortly after paying for the home
- It enables you to get better offers since there is less to question about the home you’re selling
- It saves time and decreases stress as you have all the required answers at your fingertips
- It gives high confidence to the new buyer as they’re fully informed of your home’s foundation
- Highlights significant impact repairs and renovations and low visibility
Repairing Termite Damage to a House
Selling a house that needs work can be challenging, especially when selling on the open market. If your house has signs of termite activity or has suffered damages from termites, it’s advisable to repair it before listing it on the market.
You could be wondering how best you can fix termite damage. Here are the remedies we recommend taking:
- Add wood support to the termite-damaged sections
- Replace the damaged wood sections
- Perform an extensive termite treatment
Final Thoughts
As a homeowner, you should understand the risks of having termites within your property. Most home insurance policies do not cover termite damages. Knowing the appropriate ways to eliminate termites from your home can save you a great deal. This way, you’ll maintain the high value of your property and attract lucrative amounts when you choose to sell it.