There are many methods for controlling termite infestations, and you must choose the right one for your home. These methods include termiticide barriers, baits, and boric acid. The method you choose will depend on how many termites you have and the severity of the infestation.

Boric Acid

Boric acid is a common insecticide used to kill termites. It is a fine powder and is easy to apply with a manual duster. According to termite control Staten Island, it kills termites by attacking their digestive systems and can be used indoors or outdoors. Unlike other pesticides, boric acid does not create an odor and leaves no residue. This makes it an excellent choice for various pest problems, including termites and fleas. It is also cheap, costing just $15 for a five-pound bottle.

Boric acid is a cheap and easily available household chemical. It can be mixed with water to form a 5% to 10% solution. You can also heat the mixture to make it more effective. The mixture should be applied to the infected area. It is best to keep the mixture away from children and pets. Boric acid is not a permanent treatment but will last for about a year. It is widely used in commercial treatments and modern household products.

Termiticide Barriers

Termiticide barriers are a way to prevent termites from entering buildings. The barrier is typically made of a porous material such as sand, basalt, or a combination of both. Unfortunately, these barriers cannot be installed on all types of soil and are not 100% effective. Another option is to install a metal mesh barrier. While this is a greener option, it doesn’t guarantee 100% protection. Termiticide barriers are also available in plastic polymers impregnated with termiticide, which repels termites while killing them. Chemical termiticide barriers are also available and are applied around the foundation of a building. They barricade termites from accessing the building, preventing them from forming colonies and destroying structures.

Termite Baits

While baits are effective, they can be expensive. They must be replenished every year, and monitoring of the baiting station is required. Furthermore, the baiting process is slow. A termite infestation can take up to a year to be controlled with baits. This means that you need to plan your budget accordingly.

Termite baits are most effective when used in conjunction with other treatment methods. The bait is applied to the exterior and interior of the structure to disrupt the termites’ feeding habits. It also disrupts the termite molting cycle, eliminating the entire colony.

Heat Treatments

One of the simplest and cheapest DIY termite control methods is to heat an infested area to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This method will kill any termites within minutes. However, this method should only be used for a limited area and should be combined with curative measures.

In an experiment conducted by UC Berkeley, researchers tested the effectiveness of volatile essential oil and heat on termite infestations. First, they treated some wood blocks with 160 microliters of wintergreen oil while leaving others untreated. Then, they heated the house to between 134 and 146 degrees Fahrenheit for 140 minutes.

Another indicator of a termite infestation is the presence of termite tubes. These tubes may contain live termites or termite soldiers. Other signs include the darkening of structural wood.