Out of the termite species, subterranean termites can cause extensive damage. Their saw-tooth jaws can cut fragments of wood by building distinctive tunnels called “mud tunnels” or “mud tubes” to protect themselves from open air. These mud tubes also connect their colonies both underground and above the ground food sources. Over time, subterranean termites can heavily damage a structure that would cause its reason for its collapse.
In this article, we will talk about the different types of subterranean termite mud tunnels, as well as their control and removal.
Signs Of Infestations
Just because it is not apparent where you do not see termites swarming in a part of your home, it doesn’t mean that you are safe from termite infestation. Even the smallest indicator can help you prevent termite infestation that would lead to your home’s collapse.
Subterranean termite infestations threaten homeowners as they could happen in the building’s exterior or interior. Common signs of termite infestation are the presence of mud tunnels on the exterior part of a structure. These mud tubes that are created from wood, soil, and termite saliva are shaped like tunnels. These tunnels keep their path moist and protect them from external dangers and predators as they travel.
Subterranean termite signs of infestations do not only limit seeing these mud tunnels in a building, seeing small pellets that look like fragments of wood. These small pellets are called frass-subterranean termite droppings.
How Subterranean Termites Influence A Structure’s Collapse
Termite damage can have an impact on a building’s structural system. Subterranean termites frequently cause damage to the structure’s floors. Termite infestations can cause squeaks and sags in your flooring. They may also be the cause of difficulty opening your wooden doors and windows. Subterranean termites usually cause damage to your wood frames until they get through. They bring moisture with them, which causes your doors and windows to become stuck and damaged.
Termite Treatment
There are various ways to treat subterranean infestations you can choose from. These include:
- Soil And Barrier Treatments
- Baiting Stations
- Fumigations
Soil And Barrier Treatments
One of the common approaches in subterranean termite control is soil and barrier treatment. It involves applying termiticides in the soil around the foundation of the building. This creates a chemical barrier that prevents termites from entering your premises.
Injecting foam termiticides into your floors and walls also helps you build a barrier that prevents termite infestation by blocking the crevices and the hollow spaces in the floors and walls.
Soil and barrier treatment results are fast and are one of the least expensive treatment options for you. But the termiticides that are used in such methods can be highly toxic and would result in failure if not done correctly.
Baiting Stations
The termite baiting station strategy is more environmentally friendly compared to other methods that utilize termiticides and other toxic substances. This type of subterranean treatment involves placing termite bait stations near active termite colonies. These termite baiting stations are infused with slow-acting termiticides. When termite workers will bring the bait into the colony that will bring the whole colony to demise.
The baiting stations method is one of the best solutions for subterranean infestation, but it can be costly and typically takes longer to see the results.
Fumigation
Fumigation involves an extreme process in which the infested area is enclosed and exposed to sulfuryl fluoride gas. This method of termite treatment usually takes 3 days. And after the treatment, your home will be aerated until all of the gas is gone and it is safe to enter.
This method of treatment is effective at ridding your home of subterranean termites. However, out of the other termite treatment mentioned earlier, it is the most costly and intrusive method.
Contributing Factors For Termite Treatment Cost
After seeing signs of termite infestation, the first you want to do is to call the experts to inspect your home to determine the seriousness of the infestation and of what method of termite treatment is appropriate. But each of the termite treatment methods costs varyingly depending on these factors:
- Size Of The Affected Area
Once you have determined that your home is infested by termites, it is important to identify its severity. Subterranean termite treatment costs vary according to the size of your home and the affected area. Simple treatment to the affected area can be costly, but treatment to your entire home maybe even more so.
- Type Of Treatment And Frequency
Termite exterminators today provide a variety of termite treatment options. The cost of these treatment methods varies depending on the treatment process and the materials used.
In some cases, the treatment process can take several days and may even require continued treatment to completely eradicate termite colonies. Exterminators may also require tenting your home for treatment methods such as fumigation, which significantly raises the cost of the treatment.
Termite Control
Subterranean termites thrive in dark and damp environments. Their colonies are generally built in soli and they surface to find food sources.
Termite treatment can heavily damage your soil and is highly toxic most of the time.
- Keep Your Surroundings Dry
Rain that penetrates your walls and other parts of your home can dampen your surroundings. A humid and damp environment attracts termites, leading to infestation. To keep this from happening, keep your basements and crawl spaces dry and well-ventilated.
- Seal Cracks And Crevices
Subterranean termite infestation can start in different parts of your home. Seal any cracks or crevices in the foundation and the walls of your building to avoid termite infestation from happening.
- Use Wood Treatments
Treat the wood parts of your home with termiticides to prevent termite infestation. These wood treatments are absorbed by the wood and act as a barrier to the termites.
- Build Barriers
Start with your home’s foundation. Concrete foundations can shield your house from possible termite infestation. It can also help you detect early signs of infestation as it forces termites to build mud tunnels along the premises.
DIY Termite Removal Remedies For Your Home
Preventing subterranean termites from infesting your home can be a strenuous task. But with the right precautions, anybody can do it at home. These home remedies are rarely effective, however these can be used to prevent the spread of the termite infestation until professional exterminator can provide the necessary treatment.
The following are a DIY (Do-It-Yourself) termite solutions that can be used to treat termite infestation
Essential Oils
Essential oils made from orange, clove, and garlic are nontoxic to humans. They are safe to use as a termite removal treatment to keep the infestation from spreading. Simply apply the oil to the infested area and reapply as needed every day.
Boric Acid
Boric acid, also known as sodium borate, can be an effective termite treatment. While this chemical is commonly used in household cleaning, it is toxic to termites. To treat the infested area, simply coat it with the powder or mix it with hot water and spray the area as needed.
Prevention Starts Today
Subterranean termite infestation can be prevented. Termites are attracted to moisture. Thus, divert water away from your home by building proper and functioning gutters, splash blocks, and downspouts to avoid water accumulation in your basement and your home’s foundation. Proper ventilation also helps you reduce humidity in your home’s crawl space.
Non-treated subterranean infestation can lead to your home’s demise. Ignoring the signs of termite infestation will lead you to deal with an even more troublesome problem later on. To get professional advice, consult your local termite control professionals today.