When the effervescent spring breeze sweeps past, it’s often followed by uninvited visitors that can wreak havoc on your precious home: flying termites. These winged pests don’t just ruin your peaceful nights but also pose a significant threat to your house’s structural integrity. It is important to get rid of them if you have them before they destroy your property. How to get rid of flying termites in the house naturally? Various remedies such as boric acid, white vinegar, and rubber mulch. There are also a few others that we will cover.
What Are Flying Termites?
Also known as ‘alates’, flying termites are mature insects ready to start their colonies. Unlike their earthbound counterparts, these termites develop wings to venture out and establish new colonies, marking the commencement of the termite mating season.
How Do Flying Termites Get Into the Home?
Flying termites can get into the home in several ways. A few of those are:
Foundation
- Cracks in the foundation
- Low foundation footings or walls
- Brick veneer if the bond fails
- Flower planters that are near the walls of the foundation
Porch, Post, and Trellis Areas
- Through an earth-filled porch
- Porch steps are close to the ground allowing access for termites
- Trellis touches the soil
- Posts of the home are in concrete
Other Exterior Areas
- Pipes or faucets that leak
- Shrubs near air vents
- Wood debris around the home or underneath it
- A heating unit is obstructed
- Siding or stucco that goes all the way to the soil
How to Get Rid of Flying Termites in the House Naturally
The good news? You have quite a few natural, DIY methods at your armory to fight off these miniature monsters. Let’s take a look at those and you can figure out what works best in your situation. Additionally, you may even have some of these solutions in your home.
1. Boric Acid
This potent weapon disrupts the termites’ metabolism, ultimately causing death. Sprinkle boric acid in suspected areas and witness the magic unfold!
2. White Vinegar
Mixed with water, white vinegar sprayed around your house can be an effective termite deterrent. In addition, add a daily spritz and you’ll notice a significant reduction in their population.
3. Rubber Mulch
Swap your wood mulch for rubber! It’s less appealing to the critters, keeping them away.
4. Cayenne Pepper
Sprinkle some spice into the mix! Spreading cayenne pepper around potential entry points can prevent termite invasions.
5. Beneficial Nematodes
These microscopic worms feast on termites, providing a biological control method.
6. Essential Oils
Lemon, cedarwood or vetiver oil could do the trick. Also, they kill termites upon contact, making them excellent for spot treatments.
7. Diatomaceous Earth
It’s a naturally occurring powder that dehydrates and kills termites.
8. Bug Zappers
These devices attract flying termites and eliminate them on contact.
9. Sunlight
Termites detest sunlight. By lighting up dim areas, you could deter them from nesting.
Types of Flying Termites
Let’s take a peek at these unwelcome guests’ profiles.
1. Drywood
Drywood termites feast on dried wood – furniture, hardwood floors, or even structural timbers.
2. Subterranean
As the name suggests, subterranean termites live underground. They are the most destructive species as they can cause extensive damage unnoticed.
3. Dampwood
Dampwood termites call moisture-rich wood their home. Additionally, they’re often found in damp, decaying logs or tree stumps.
Preventing Infestation of Flying Termites
A clean, dry, and well-ventilated house is your best defense. Also, repair any leaks promptly and keep firewood away from the property to mitigate opportunities for infestation.
Other Recommended Maintenance
Now that you know about getting rid of flying termites in the house naturally, let’s look at other areas of recommended maintenance. One of those is how long termite treatment lasts. Well, if you use liquid bait, it can last for five years. This involves a company digging a trench to put the liquid treatment in and it creates a barrier. Another kind of treatment is termite bait stations and these need to be monitored every year.
Another is when thinking about your garden and yard, many people choose to use mulch. Many homeowners worry though that mulch will attract termites. Some mulch, like rubber mulch, repels termites. On the other hand, cypress sapwood, loblolly pine, and slash pine attract termites. Mulch always looks nice and is very affordable and a good choice for landscaping.
Lastly, what causes termites? As mentioned above, termites love moisture, wood, and warmth. However, you can prevent them by keeping an eye on these areas inside and outside of the home.
When to Call a Professional
If these DIY methods don’t do the trick, or if the infestation seems extensive, it’s time to call in the experts. Fox Mountain Property Inspections have access to powerful treatments and can resolve the issue efficiently. It is important to have the issue taken care of right away and using an expert is the way to go.
Conclusion
Dealing with flying termites can be an arduous task, but armed with this knowledge, you’re ready to fight back. Remember, though, prevention is always better than cure! Remember these natural methods can reduce the termite population, but severe infestations often require a professional company to completely eradicate the problem. Reach out to Fox Mountain Property Inspections for a termite inspection during a full home inspection in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia states.
