Ways to Get Rid of Termites In Your Kitchen

Termites are as small as a grain of rice but they damage homes on a massive scale. They work discreetly damaging your home and you can’t identify you have termites until the damage is already done. Termites cost homeowners up to 5 billion dollars in damages every year. Termites love wood, and your kitchen is the one place in your home that can contain a lot of it.

If you know you have termites or need an inspection Roseville Pest Control can help you with just that. Even if the infestation is mild the damage can be relentless. But there are effective ways to eradicate them. Keep reading to find out the best ways to get rid of termites in your kitchen below.

How to Identify You Have a Termite Infestation in Your Kitchen

There are some definitive ways to figure out if termites have infested your kitchen cabinets or floors. Which include the following:

1.   Blister in Wooden Floors

You may have noticed some peculiar blisters in your flooring but never gave it a second thought. But this is one of the telltale signs that you have termites within the wood of your flooring.

2.   Damaged or Hallowed Wood

Damaged or hollow wood is a big sign that you have a termite infestation. The damages associated with hollow and damaged wood can be found below and behind surfaces that include your kitchen walls, floors, cabinets, etc. This wood defect is a result of the termites chewing the wood looking for cellulose and leaving long grooves in the wood.

3.   Swarms

You may already know this but termites move in groups so it can be somewhat easy to detect their presence. You will most likely see discarded termite wings around your kitchen, around your windows, doors, and other access points into your home.

4.   Dry Wood Termite Droppings

Dry termites live inside of wood and to keep the passageways that they initially create they make kick-out holes where they discard their own droppings. Thus, creating little piles of pellets.

How to Treat Termites in Your Kitchen

Now that you are familiar with the signs of a termite infestation here are ways to treat them.

1.    Boric Acid

You can prepare a solution of borax powder and water and apply this mixture to your affected cabinets, floors, and other areas in your kitchen. This is a common and non-toxic method of getting rid of termites that has really good results. If you don’t apply the solution before the termites eat through say your cabinet then it may be too late.

2.    Sunlight

Termites thrive in moist dark conditions. If you find termites in your cabinets then one way to get rid of them is to expose them to sunlight for 2-3 days consistently. This method can help deter termites. They hate the heat and will die off pretty easily. And exposing your wood furniture to heat can get rid of the moisture in it helping to prevent future infestations.

3.    Cardboard Trap

You can get rid of termites in your kitchen by using a cardboard trap. Cardboard is made up of cellulose and has a fragrance that is similar to wood. Moisten the cardboard before first setting it near the affected areas and the termites will swarm onto the cardboard then you can burn the cardboard to kill the termites.

4.    Use Orange Oil

Orange oil kills termites very easily. Orange oil is made up of d-limonene which is toxic to them. It causes the exoskeleton of termites to melt off which causes them to lose their moisture and proteins. Spray orange oil directly onto termites or in the places you know or think are infested. They will eventually come in contact with the oil and it will make them expire.

5.    Termidor SC

Termidor SC is one of the best termite control products that professionals also use to eradicate termite infestations. But homeowners can purchase and use this product too. This product can only be used on an exterior part of the home but it can completely eliminate a colony if they are in fact on an exterior wall of the house. Not only does it work in killing the termites it can help to protect your home from future infestations. It only takes 90 days for Termidor SC to eliminate termites. Also, it can be used as an in-ground barrier treatment. If any termites try to come in through an exterior wall this will stop them from being able to come in.

Keep Termites From Spreading

  1. Repair Leaks: You should pay attention to any leaks or decaying that are taking place within your home. Decaying roofs and as well as moisture-laden walls are great hosts for termites. Fix all of the leaks and have regular inspections to prevent further chances for termites to come into your home. 
  1. Declutter Your Home: Throw away useless paper, cardboard, old magazines, and newspapers because these are a great host for termites to thrive in your house. If one room in your home has become infested, remember to never take those infested pieces of furniture into other rooms because they can spread easily.
  1. Get Rid of Moisture: Moisture is the number one thing that can attract termites to your home. If you get rid of the excess moisture in your house it will help to keep termites from infesting it. Invest in a dehumidifier if you can they can help a lot in removing moisture from the air.

In Summary

Termites can be pesky and cause a load of damage to your home and kitchen. It’s important that you identify that you have an infestation as soon as possible that way affected areas can be treated effectively without having to replace a lot of expensive furniture including cabinets, and wood floors. Always pay attention to the moisture content in your home making sure you do everything you can to keep it as low as possible to help prevent any future infestations. You can get rid of termites and it’s always helpful to know what to look for to be able to recognize you need to take action.

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