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7 Do-It-Yourself Termite Control Tips And Tricks

What are some termite control tips and tricks you can DIY?

  1. Identify the type of termite
  2. Inspect your home
  3. Seal off entry points
  4. Remove sources of moisture
  5. Use bait stations
  6. Use termiticides
  7. Use wood treatments

Termites pose a problem to many homes, especially those made from wood or have pieces of wooden furniture and installations. If left unchecked, they can cause serious damage to your property and belongings. Before calling in professional termite control services, there are actually some DIY termite control tips and tricks you can try.  

This blog is here to help you eliminate these “free-loaders” from your home. These tips will help you lessen the damage and might save you money.

Identify the Type of Termites

Identify the Type of Termites

Termite control begins with determining the type of termite present. There are three main categories of termites: subterranean, dry wood, and damp wood. It is essential to correctly identify the type of termite as each type reacts differently to control methods. Here are some of the characteristics of these three to help you: 

  1. Subterranean termites – This species of termite can be found in damp, remote regions above ground or underground colonies. To access food sources and defend themselves from the elements, they construct recognizable “mud tubes.”
  2. Drywood termites – Unlike subterranean termites, dry wood termites inhabit dry wood and do not require contact with the soil. This termite species can infest dead wood near homes and frequently builds nests in roof materials and wooden wall supports.
  3. Dampwood termites – As their names suggest, damp wood termites infest wood that has a lot of moisture. Compared to other termite species, damp wood termites are often greater in size. Due to the low moisture content of the wood in structures, they typically do not infest them; however, precautions must be made to prevent luring damp wood termites to a structure.

Inspect Your Home

The next step is to inspect your home after determining what kind of termite you have. Look for termite-prone areas like mud tubes, rotting timber, and wings. Pay particular attention to your home’s moist-prone spaces, such as the bathroom, crawlspace, and basement. It’s time to clean your home and have a wide inspection.

Seal Off Entry Points

Seal Off Entry Points

Sealing off access points is one of the most crucial steps to keep termites out of your house. This includes sealing up any holes or cracks in your foundation, weather stripping that has been damaged, and fixing around windows and doors. Ensure that no trees or shrubs are nearby to prevent termites from entering your property because this might also be where they are coming from.

Remove Sources of Moisture

It’s important to eliminate any sources of moisture in and around your property since termites are drawn to humidity and dampness. This entails repairing leaks, correctly ventilating your property, and ensuring that the area around your foundation has proper drainage. These factors also contribute to the termite infestation in your home, so it is vital to take note of these.

Use Bait Stations

The use of bait stations is a fantastic chemical-free termite control method especially if you have children and pests at home. 

Termites are drawn to the food source in these stations. After eating the bait, they will bring it back to the colony and spread it to other termites. The entire colony will eventually die due to this.

Use Termiticides

Although bait stations are always effective, there is another option for you. Termiticides can be used to eliminate termites if bait stations are ineffective. Liquid and baiting termiticides are the two main categories. When applied to the soil around your home, liquid termiticides have a long-lasting effect, so it is advisable to put them there. Placing baiting termiticides in the ground will draw termites to the bait, killing the colony.

Use Wood Treatments

Use wood treatments to eradicate termites if you have dry wood termites. The termites will be killed as they tunnel through the wood if these treatments are given directly to them. This is why identifying what type of termite you have in your home is important to know the best treatment you can give.

Hire a Professional

Hire a Professional

If you are unsure about using any do-it-yourself termite treatment methods, it’s best to seek the help of a professional. A professional pest control company has the expertise and tools needed to effectively address your termite infestation. like us here at  Topbest, the expert in termite control in the Philippines.

Key Takeaway

Termites can cause significant damage to your home, but with these DIY termite control tips and tricks, you can effectively get rid of these pests like a pro. With these steps, you can protect your home from termites’ damaging effects and prevent any incoming infestation.

There is no debate that you should hire the best in the field to preserve your most valuable asset from the destructive nature of termites.

Topbest provides the best pest control services in the Philippines. Through cutting-edge technology that is non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and tailored to the needs of each customer, we are dedicated to offering the best ongoing pest control solutions to both residential and commercial businesses in the Philippines. Contact us for a free consultation and inspection.

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5 Causes of Flying Termites in the Philippines

5 Causes of Flying Termites in the Philippines

What causes flying termites in the Philippines?

  1. Heavy Rainfall and Warmer Temperatures
  2. Wood and Mulch
  3. Dark and Damp Spaces
  4. Openings in Your Home
  5. Your Home’s Location

 

A pest invasion can easily create nuisances at home, and if left untreated can quickly destroy your property’s value. Termites are one of those pests and they are common in the Philippines. Termites have the potential to invade your living spaces at a moment’s notice and swarm around your home as flying termites. However, knowing the causes for their invasion could help prevent thousands of pesos’ worth in damages. Read on to learn more about the common causes of flying termites in the Philippines.

 

Heavy Rainfall and Warmer Temperatures

Termites love tropical weather. This is because they love moisture — they need it to survive, and will take great lengths to sniff out new water sources for the colony. They require a damp, moist environment to protect their exoskeletons and prevent their bodies from drying out.

Termites take measures to prevent this from happening. Since they cannot survive too long without moisture, they create mud tunnels from their ground nest towards any food sources they find nearby. These tunnels create a warm, damp pathway for their commute to and from the nest while they are in search of food.

The country’s moist and warm climate is ideal for termites. The weather stays humid and warm nearly all year round and provides the optimum levels not only for their living conditions but also their mating conditions. During warmer months you may have seen swarms of winged termites gathering near your home. The environment is perfect for termites to live long enough to enter their mating cycle, which is when they become flying termites or ‘gamu-gamo’

 

Wood and Mulch

Wood and Mulch

In order for the termites to live long enough to mate, they need to have a steady source of food. Wood and mulch are the two biggest sources that can be found in your home in the Philippines. Many houses have trees and foliage that provide enough material for termites to eat through. Additionally, these plants can also block sunlight, which causes the dirt beneath them to remain damp after rains for a longer period of time.

Many homeowners also use mulch in their gardens, which is used to protect their plants from heat and weeds. However, mulch can also absorb and retain large amounts of water. This creates an ideal environment and food source for termites.

 

Dark and Damp Spaces

On top of needing food sources, termites also need the right living spaces to continue their cycle. They tend to be attracted to dark, damp spaces. These can be found near or even inside your home. These spaces can be created by clogged gutters, leaky pipes, or any other area near your home that holds standing water. Termites love to settle near these places because of the temperature and moisture, as well as the proximity to an abundant food source.

These spaces collect moisture, which creates additional problems like mold and rot on wood surfaces. Termites love water-damaged wood and are drawn to it. If you’re unlucky, they might even make their termite mound near these areas. The damage that they could do to your house if their mound remains undetected is extensive and hard to measure, as most of their damage would be within the structure of your home.

 

Openings in Your Home

Openings in Your Home

Termites will also make their homes within yours if they are able to squeeze inside. Termites can infiltrate through the smallest cracks in your walls. Your doors, windows, and other points of entry could have tiny openings for them to slip in.

Roofs also offer many opportunities for them to enter. This could be done if your garden has low-hanging branches or plants that touch the exterior walls of your home. These branches and leaves will act as a bridge for termites to access your property.

From these openings, termites can make short work of expanding their territory. The bigger they can make their territory, the larger their termite mound becomes. If left unchecked, their population will also rise. Come warmer months, this large population will enter the next stage of their cycle and will reappear as flying termites.

 

Your Home’s Location

In the Philippines, termite damage is more common compared to fire and flood damage. This is an indicator of how serious the termite problem is in this area, and why flying termite swarms are so common. In fact, there are 2,500 different termite species around the world and about 54 species have made the Philippines their home. The tropical environment of the Philippinesa hr encourages and ensures the growth of the local termite population.

Worse still, if you live in urban areas, it is more likely for you to experience flying termites than when you live in rural areas. Studies have found that the effect of urbanization in Metro Manila has impacted the average temperatures and rainfall of the area. On average, Metro Manila experiences warmer temperatures than surrounding areas, having up to 2.4 °C higher temperatures. Metro Manila also experiences higher average values of rainfall during the summer and rainy seasons.

This effect of urbanization makes Metro Manila one of the best places for termites to continue their mating cycles and is one of the top causes of flying termites in the Philippines. Homes in Metro Manila are consequently more susceptible to termite infestations because of the large population of termites in this area.

 

Key Takeaway

There are many causes of flying termites in the Philippines. In this country, there are many ways for termites to continue living in homes comfortably. With the right conditions, they can easily increase their numbers and swarm your homes as flying termites during the warmer months. The sight of these flying termites can be an indicator of a termite infestation near or within your home. It is best to contact experts in pest control, such as Topbest, if you are concerned that you may have a termite problem. Call us now!

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5 Ways to Remove a Termite Problem in the Philippines

5 Ways to Remove a Termite Problem in the Philippines

What are the ways to remove a termite problem in the Philippines?

  1. Cardboard trap
  2. Diatomaceous earth
  3. Sentricon Bait System
  4. Imidacloprid
  5. Ceptiva Powder

 

If you have wooden walls, ceilings, and furniture, you might have noticed discolorations, peeling paint, and pinpoint holes in the surface. The wood can buckle or crumble by itself, revealing all the damage that termites have done to your building. Before the infestation continues to worsen, you need to know the different ways to remove a termite problem in the Philippines. Keep on reading!

 

Cardboard Trap

One of the home remedies that can help remove termites is a cardboard trap. To do this, wet several flat strips of cardboard and stack them on top of each other. Place your DIY trap near the termite infestation and wait. These pests are attracted to moisture and the cellulose in the cardboard so there’s a high chance that they will move from their current home to feed on the trap.

When the cardboard is heavily infested by termites, you can take it outside and burn it. While effective, this trap is a temporary fix and is best combined with other methods to eliminate a larger termite problem.

 

Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is one of the popular ways to get rid of pests with exoskeletons such as termites. It is made of fossilized remains of aquatic organisms also known as diatoms. The powder might look ordinary but on a microscopic level, the particles are sharp enough to penetrate a termite’s body, dehydrate them, and eventually causing death.

To use diatomaceous earth, sprinkle the powder around the areas where there is a termite infestation and wait for the pests to crawl through the powder. This is an effective remedy when targeting small colonies of termites. For long-term pest problems, you might need stronger solutions.

 

Sentricon Bait System

One of the best termite solutions that a pest control professional can offer you is termite bait such as Sentricon. This is environmentally friendly and requires no drilling around your home. The bait will be placed around the perimeter of your building to attract the termites. These pests will ingest the bait and share it with their colony members—which ultimately eradicates all of them.

You might need to wait for a few weeks for the colony to be fully eradicated but it’s one of the most effective long-term solutions for a termite infestation. Other than getting rid of termites, the Sentricon system is perfect for preventing these pests from coming back for years to come.

 

Ceptiva Powder

Ceptiva

When it comes to eliminating termites, another popular solution is Ceptiva Powder. The active ingredient, Fipronil, is also effective in eliminating other pests such as cockroaches, fleas, ants, and the like. It is applied by a pest professional near termite nests in ready-to-use vials. After that, all that’s left is to wait for the pests to eat the product.

When termites ingest the powder, it disrupts their central nervous system and affects their nerves and muscles—which eventually causes their death. The chemical can be spread to the others by the termites which helps speed up the fatality of the colony.

 

Premise Termiticide

Imidacloprid, which is the main ingredient found in Premise, is an effective termiticide used for pest control in the Philippines. This is because it has low-level toxicity to other types of living organisms. It is also odorless, safe, and environmentally friendly.

Premise is typically used on subterranean termite infestations. To use this, a pest control professional will spread the substance on the soil around your building’s perimeter. When a termite tries to go through this treated soil, it would slowly die. By returning to their home, they bring the chemicals with them and pass them onto others to speed up the eradication of the colony.

 

Key Takeaway

There are numerous ways to remove a termite problem in the Philippines, but the most effective ones for long-term results are performed by a pest control professional. That’s why if home remedies are not proving to be effective, you can contact our skilled pest control team here at Topbest!

We are an authorized applicator of Sentricon, Premise, and Ceptiva Powder which are all effective against severe termite problems. Other than treating your termite infestation, our treatments can also prevent their return in the long run. Click here if you’re interested in a free consultation!

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Karaniwang Lungga ng Mga Anay sa Iyong Bahay

Sufficient Knowledge About Types of Termites

Saang parte ng iyong bahay karaniwang naninirahan ang mga anay?

  • Bubong
  • Kisame
  • Sala
  • Kusina
  • Garahe

 

Taon taon, milyon-milyon ang nagagastos ng kalahatan para lang mapagawa ang mga bahay na tuluyan nang nasira ng mga anay. Isa ang mga ito sa pinakamapanirang peste sa balat ng lupa at kaya nitong pababain ang halaga ng isang ari-arian ng mahigit-kumulang 25%. Gustuhin man iwasan ng mga homeowners ang pesteng ito, minsan huli na ang lahat bago pa sila makatawag ng pest control para sa anay.

Hindi naman misteryo kung bakit hindi agad nakikita ang mga anay at ang pinsala na dulot nila. Sadya namang nagtratrabaho sila sa dilim at naninirahan kung saan hindi sila agad makikita. Higit pa rito, hindi rin naman alam ng karamihan kung saan sila mahahanap. Tanging ang mga eksperto lamang ang nakakaalam ng mga lihim na tirahan ng mga anay.

Kabilang kami sa populasyon ng ekspertong may malalim na pagkakaintindi sa mga anay. Alam namin kung paano at bakit sila kumikilos at alam din naming kung saan sila naninirahan. Nais namin ibahagi sa inyo ang impormasyon na ito. Importanteng malaman ng mga tao ang karaniwang lungga ng anay sa kanilang bahay para hindi tuluyang magkaroon ng infestation sa kanilang mga bahay.

 Bubong

Bubong

Ang sira at bungo-bungong bubong ay nagiging sanhi ng moisture at damp build-up na umaakit sa mga anay. Ito ay nangyayari buong taon ngunit mas malala sa panahon ng tag-ulan. Bukod sa pag-akit sa mga anay at pagsilbing tahanan ng mga ito, nagiging entry point din ito ng iba’t-ibang peste maliban sa anay. Ito ang ginagamit nilang pasukan papunta sa iyong bahay at kumakalat na sila sa iba’t ibang lugar mula rito.

Upang maiwasan ang sitwasyon na ito, siguraduhing buo at maayos ang iyong bubong. Ipagawa kung kailangan at palitan ang mga sirang tiles na nakalaat dito. Tignan din ang dampness ng iyong bubong at tanggaling ang humidity kung kailangan. Maaari naman tumawag ng eksperto kung hindi mo alam kung paano gawin ang mga ito.

 

Kisame

Kung magmumula sa bubong ang mga anay, natural lang na ang sunod nilang pupuntahan ay ang iyong kisame o ang loob ng iyong kisame. Kung may attic naman ang iyong bahay ay doon mo sila makikita. Ninanais nila ang mga lugar na ito kung saan walang liwanag, mamasa-masa ang paligid, at may pinagmumulan ng pagkain.

Kapag nakapasok na sila sa iyong kisama, uunahin nila ang mga wooden beams na sumusuporta sa bubong ng iyong bahay. Hindi mo agad makikita ang epektong dulot ng mga anay, ngunit pag dating ng panahon, tiyak ay mababawasan ang pundasyon sa iyong tahanan na maaaring maging sanhi ng pagkasira nito.

 Sala

Sala

Mabuti ring suriin ang iyong sala lalo na kung marami kang kasangkapan at kagamitan na gawa sa kahoy. Ang mga anay na makikita mo sa iyong sala ay hindi lamang nagmula sa kisame, maaari ring nagmula sila mula sa lupa sa ilalim ng iyong bahay. Kaya naman kapag nakita mo sila sa iyong sala, huwag ka nang magulat pag nakita mong sira ang iyong sahig.

Para maiwasan ang pagkalat ng anay sa iyong sala, subukang gumamit ng mga bagay na gawa sa metal. Kung hindi naman ito maari at mas pipiliin pa rin ang kahoy, siguraduhin na lang na treated ang kagamitan na gagamitin at hindi makakain ng anay. Kaugalian na ring suriin ang iyong sahig at kagamitan para sa kahit anong aktibidad na maaaring maugnay sa mga anay.

 

Kusina

Isa pang lugar sa iyong bahay na maituturing langit para sa mga anay ay ang iyong kusina. Hindi lang ito lugar kung saan marami silang makikitang pagkain, marami ring entry at exit points sa iyong kusina.

Isa na rito ang mga tumagatagas na tubo na gumagawa ng moisture at dampness, na tulad ng iyong bubong, ay nang-aakit ng mga anay. Ang mga bintana’t pinto rin naman ay dapat panatilihing nakasara upang di makapasok ang mga anay lalo na tuwing swarming season. Madalas din silang nangingitlog sa siwang ng iyong bintana’t pinto kaya lagi itong tignan at linisin.

 Garahe

Garahe

Para sa karamihan, ang garahe ay hindi lamang para sa kanilang kotse, kadalasang dito tinatambak ang mga kagamitang sira na o kaya nama’y wala nang silbi. Ang mga bagay na dapat nang itapon o ipamigay ay ipinapasok lamang sa mga karton at iniimbak sa isang tabi.

Mahalaga lamang na malaman mo na ang mga ito ay pagkain para sa mga anay. Gawa rin naman sa kahoy ang mga karton at mayroon din itong cellulose na mahalag sa kanilang diyeta. Mas nagiging kaakit-akit pa ito dahil may mga bulok na kagamitan sa loob na maari nilang gawing tahanan ng walang nakakapansin.

Kaya naman kung ika’y may garahe ay wag itong tambakan ng basura. Kung kailangan magtabi ng kagamitan, gumamit ng plastik na lagayan para hindi ito makain ng mga anay.

 

Key Takeaway

Maraming maaaring tirhan ang mga anay sa iyong tahanan. Sa katotohanan, kahit saang parte na madilim, mamasa-masa, may moisture, at may direktang source ng pagkain ay maaari silang manirahan.

Mas madalas at mas karaniwan lamang silang makita sa mga lugar na nakalista sa lugar na ito kaya’t iyon ang mga kailangan suriin. Kung ikaw ay nangangailangan ng higit pang tulong, huwag mag-atubiling tumawag ng anay at pest control services!

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Anu-anong mga Bagay ang Kinakain ng mga Anay?

Anu-anong mga Bagay ang Kinakain ng mga Anay?

Anu-anong mga bagay nga ba ang kinakain ng mga anay?

  • Kahoy
  • Papel
  • Karton
  • Halaman
  • Tela

 

Hindi mo na dapat kailangan ng daan-daang rason para tumawag ng anay o pest control services sa oras na makakita ka ng bakas ng anay sa iyong tahanan. Sapat na dapat ang kaalaman na may kakayahan silang sirain ang istraktura at pundasyon ng iyong bahay sa loob ng maikling panahon.

Kung hindi ka naman kumbinsido na kaya nila itong gawin, marami pang ibang dahilan na maaring makapagkumbinsi sa iyo. Hindi lang naman ang pundasyon ng iyong bahay ang sinisira ng mga anay. Sa oras na makapasok sila sa iyong tahanan, hahanap at hahanap sila ng mga material at bagay na pwede nilang kainin at sirain.

Hindi mulat ang lahat ng tao sa buong kakayahan ng mga anay. Sa katotohanan, kahoy man ang pangunahing diyeta ng mga anay, hindi lamang ito ang kanilang pinagpipiyestahan. Marami pang maaring pagmulan ang kinakailangan nilang sustansya.

Inilista namin sa ibaba kung anu-ano ang mga bagay na ito:

Kahoy

Kahoy

Katulad nga ng nabanggit sa panimula, ang pangunahing pagkain ng mga anay ay kahoy o wood. Ang kahoy ay likas na siksik sa isang organic compound na tinatawag na cellulose. Ito ang pangunahing mineral na kailangan ng mga anay para mabuhay kaya naman kinahihiligan nilang kumain ng kahoy.

Mapa-anong uri ng anay pa yan, ang kanilang tanging tungkulin ay kumain ng kahoy upang mapanatiling masigla ang kanilang mga katawan. Hindi rin mahalaga ang klase ng kasangkapan, ang mahalaga lamang ay gawa ito sa kahoy. Pinto, upuan, o pundasyon man yan, basta gawa sa kahoy, siguradong unti-onti yang sisirain ng mga anay.

 

Papel

Dahil gawa ito sa kahoy, natural lamang na ang papel ay naglalaman ng cellulose na kailangan ng mga anay. Sa unang tingin, hindi ito gaanong nakababahala ngunit subukan nating isipin kung anong mga bagay ang gawa sa papel. Tissue, libro, mga dokyumento at higit sa lahat ay pera.

Kung kabilang ka sa mga taong nagtatabi ng pera sa bahay at inilalagay ito sa isang bamboo bank o kaya naman ay sa madilim at tagong sulok ng iyong kwarto, oras na para palitan ang iyong diskarte. Maraming nang tao ang nabiktima ng mga anay at nakain ang kanilang mga kayamanan dahil hindi nila ito naitago ng maayos.

Para maiwasan ito, siguraduhing metal ang pinagtataguan mo ng pera at ito ay maayos na nakasarado at hindi mapapasukan ng anay. Mabuti na ring dalhin sa bangko ang iyong pera kung saan ito mas ligtas mula sa anay.

Karton

Karton

Isa pang bagay na gawa sa kahoy at maaring pagkuhanan ng cellulose ng mga anay ay ang mga karton. Karaniwang ginagamit ang karton sa bahay para magtabi ng mga hindi na kailangang kagamitan. Pag kailangan magtabi ng mga damit o kaya naman ng mga appliances, kadalasan itong nilalagay sa loob ng kahon na karton.

Kung ang mga bagay na iyong tinatabi ay maari pa namang gamitin sa hinaharap, iwasang ilagay ito sa karton dahil maaari pa rin itong maabot ng mga anay at ng iba pag uri ng peste tulad ng daga.

Gumamit na lamang ng plastic na lalagyan para mas may proteksyon mula sa mga pesteng ito. Kung hindi naman na gagamitin pa ang mga bagay, itapon o ipamigay na lamang ang mga ito.

 

Halaman

Madalang mangyari pero nakakaabot pa rin sa mga naka-pasong halaman ang mga anay. Kadalasang nangyayari ito kapag mainit ang panahon kung kailangan tuyo ang lupa at walang maaaring pagmulan ng moisture. Tumutungo sila sa mga paso na naglalaman ng halaman at kinakain ang mga ugat nito para makakuha ng moisture pati na rin ng kakaunting cellulose.

Para maiwasan ang pagkasira ng iyong mga halaman, iwasang idikit sa lupa ang mga paso para hindi ito pasukin ng mga anay. Mas mabuti nang ilagay ito sa nakasementong sahig para maprotektahan ito sa mapanirang anay.

Tela

Tela

Karamihan ng ating mga damit ay gawa sa cotton at linen na nagmula sa mga halaman kaya’t meron din itong mga cellulose. Madalang din naman itong mangyari ngunit posible lalo na kung nakahanap na ang mga anay ng paraan para makapasok sa iyong aparador.

Maari rin naman silang maakit sa iyong mga damit kung ang mga ito ay natapunan ng pagkain o inumin. Kahit pa ang habol lamang nila ay ang pagkain na nakadikit sa iyong damit, minsan ay umaabot na rin sila sa mismong tela at nagkakaroon na ang mga ito ng mga maliliit na butas.

 

Key Takeaway

Halos kahit anong bagay na mayroong cellulose ay maaring kainin ng anay kaya hindi ka na dapat mag-atubiling tumawag ng anay o pest control services. Kahit pa naghihinala ka pa lamang, mas mabuti nang humingi ng tulong mula sa mga eksperto para hindi masira ang iyong mga kagamitan.

Ipatingin mo na ang iyong bahay para malaman mo kung meron nga talagang mga anay na naninirahan dito. Ang aksyon na ito ang pinakamaganda at epektibong paraan para protektahan ang iyong tahanan mula sa mga epekto ng anay.

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End the Infinity War with Termites: Check the Signs They Might Be Invading Your Home Now

End the Infinity War with Termites: Check the Signs They Might Be Invading Your Home Now

Termites are often called the silent destroyers and there is no better name for these pesky little creatures. They work – or ruin your home – so inconspicuously that, if you’re not alert, it’d be years before you even notice they’re around. By the time you do, it’d be too late to call termite control and you’ll find yourself paying costly home renovations or moving to a completely different place.

Thankfully, there are many tell-tale signs that indicate termites are invading your home. If you take note of them as soon as they appear, then you’re guaranteed to win this war with termites. After all, half the battle is knowing your enemy.

Check out our infographic below to become well informed.

End-the-Infinity-War-with-Termites_Check-the-Signs-They-Might-Be-Invading-Your-Home-Now Infographic

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How Termites Destroy Your Home

How Termites Destroy Your Home

How do termites destroy your home?

  • They cause structural damage.
  • They eat more than just wood.
  • They ruin the aesthetics of your home.
  • They impair the value of your property.
  • They quietly cause destruction.

 

When out in nature, termites are actually useful and play an important part in our ecosystem. They are natural recyclers that break down wood and turn it into nutrient-rich soil that helps plants grow. It’s when they’re in your home that they become irritating pests that make you call termite control.

You may not believe it but pest control actually creates billions in annual revenue. In the US alone, termites cause up to $5 billion in damages in a single year. Granted that the US is a much bigger country with significantly more structures, it still stands that people are spending a lot to get rid of termites in their own home. If you want to know just how much damage that is, just think of it this way: termites cause more damage than fires, hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods combined!

But what do termites actually do? How do they cause such damage to your homes?

We’ll be giving you the answers to these questions, so you can understand just how threatening and destructive these little creatures can be.

They Cause Structural Damage

They Cause Structural Damage

Termites love to eat into the very structure of your home. They gnaw through your support beams, posts, floor and ceiling joists, and wall studs. The reason they go after these structures is because they are typically made of wood. And everyone knows that termites live off of wood.

Once they’ve had their fill from these wooden structures, your home immediately becomes an unsafe place for you and your family and it may be rendered unlivable until the damage is repaired.

 

They Eat More Than Just Wood

If you think you’re safe from termite infestations because your home is barely made of wood, then you’re widely mistaken. Termites love to eat wood, true, but that’s not all they feast on. If the structural supports in your home are not made of wood, termites will just find something else to munch on.

They enjoy feeding on other things like metal sidings, plaster, and insulation. If those are not available, then they’ll delightfully eat other materials like paper, carpets, rugs, and cloth. What this means is you’ll be replacing much more than just wood.

 They Ruin the Aesthetics of Your Home

(Source: pinterest.co.uk)

They Ruin the Aesthetics of Your Home

Termites are capable beyond structural damage; they can also ruin the aesthetics of your home.

When termites invade your home, symptoms often arise. These symptoms include bubbling wallpaper, swollen floors, holes or craters in dry wood, buckling wood, visible mazes in walls and more.

There are also cases were termite damage will manifest as something that looks a lot like water damage. On top of this, they also give your home a foul odor when they scatter their fecal pellets or droppings. If you need any repair for water damaged MDF, contact only a trusted contractor to do the repair, such as Making This Home Services.

The worst part is that the only way to get rid of the smell and unsightly stains is to completely replace everything.

 They Impair the Value of Your Property

They Impair the Value of Your Property

If termites cause extensive structural and aesthetic damage to your home, then the resale value of your property will naturally drop. Selling a damaged home “as is” will mean accepting and settling for lower bids.

Even if you do get all the damage repaired, it still won’t guarantee that property value will go back to normal. In fact, some buyers may use your home’s history of termite infestation as a bargaining chip in order to negotiate a lower price.

 

They Quietly Cause Destruction

The scariest thing about termites is not the rate at which they destroy your home – because it actually takes years before they do substantial damage – but the fact that they can invade your home without your knowledge. Knowing that a colony or two of 50 to 60 thousand termites could be crawling around in your home at any time is enough to send shivers down one’s spine.

They can remain undetected for years because signs don’t usually show up for months or years and they are called the “silent destroyers” because of this.

 

Key Takeaway

The cost to repair termite damage is much higher than the cost to prevent it, so make sure to call termite control as soon as you spot any sign of termite infestation in your home. If you don’t, then be prepared to have your home structurally and aesthetically destroyed and for its overall property value to drop.

Termites are destructive and infuriating but there are many ways to effectively get rid of them. All you have to do is to ask your pest control operator and your home will be termite free in a matter of days!

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6 Ways Termites Are Getting Into Your Home

6 Ways Termites Are Getting Into Your Home

How do termites find their way into your home?

  • Environments with high moisture attract them.
  • Wooden fixtures that had contact with moist soil become a passageway for termites to enter your home.
  • The cracks on the exterior of your home will an entryway for termites. To repair the said exterior, you can see this site.
  • Clogged gutters may lead to damp damages in your house that again attract termites.
  • Untended gardens with overgrown bushes, mulching piles, and felled tree stumps are hugely attractive to termites.
  • Some places are just prone to termite infestation.

 

Have you ever wondered how termites get into your home? Have you ever asked your termite control specialist about it? The way these creatures get into your household is quite the mystery, isn’t it?

One moment your house is standing strong and the next its foundation is crumbling. They hit slowly and quietly like little ant-sized assassins. Unbeknownst to you, they may be crawling around your home right now.

If you’re dying to know how they infiltrate your well-constructed home, then just keep on reading. We’ll tell you how and why these silent assassins are getting into your home and what you can do to stop them.

 Moisture

Moisture

When it comes to the list of things that attract termites, moisture is definitely number one. In fact, it’s not only termites that thrive in high-moisture environments. Other house pests treat it like a huge welcome sign and get by, build colonies, and reproduce with the smallest amount of water and moisture.

How do you counter this? For one, repair any leaky pipes and ensure that your home has proper drainage. Remove any form of standing water as this is an extremely attractive environment for termites. Always check that your home’s foundation is properly ventilated. Finally, trim any landscaping that allows for humidity to build up in your house’s crawl space.

 

Wood

Most people think that the presence of wood alone is enough to attract termites, but that’s actually not the case. Termites are attracted to any and all kinds of wooden structure in your home that is in contact with moist soil.

They use these connections as their infiltration route and nesting grounds, and it won’t matter if the soil around your home has been treated by pest control. The only way to prevent them from getting in through this is if you perform regular inspections of your house’s wooden structure.

 Cracks in the Exterior

Cracks in the Exterior

If there’s a way to get into your home, you can bet that termites are using it. They will take advantage of any opportunity to breach your home, so make sure you give them none.

Immediately repair cracks in your home’s foundation – may it be concrete or wood. Inspect your entry doors and windows and reapply caulk as needed. Check for any defective and loose seals in your plumbing and electrical lines. These fixes may look minor but they will do wonders in defending your home against termites.

 

Clogged Gutters

It’s not actually clogged gutters that bring termites to your home but the effect they have on your home’s foundation. Clogged and unclean gutters collect grime, dirt, plant life, and prevent rainwater from filtering down to the earth which leads to damp damage on your house’s structure. You will be able to spot damp damage through any mold or damp marks on the ceiling.

Over time, this will create moist and rusty wood that termites absolutely love. Aside from this, it also causes concerning damage to your home’s structural integrity. In order to sidestep this situation, all you have to do is regularly clean your gutters; it’s simple but undeniably effective.

 Untended Gardens

Untended Gardens

You should be mindful of plants and trees that hover close to your home’s walls because termites can use them just as easily as any other wooden structure. Garden life such as overgrown bushes, mulching piles, and felled tree stumps are hugely attractive to termites.

Tree stumps are prone to collecting mold, water, and fungal growths. They also have deep roots that spread over for years and can potentially impale your home’s foundation. In order to avoid this problem, make sure to treat these neglected stumps and have them removed by a tree service professional. Check more about ArborPro Tree Experts for more information on tree services.

On the other hand, if you only have a grassy lawn, then make sure there is a small barrier of brick or pavement or anything non-organic between it and your walls. If you don’t build this barrier, then you’re just giving termites a direct and easy route to your house.

 

Geography

When you know you’re doing everything right but termites are still getting into your home, then you might want to check your home’s location. You might just be unfortunate enough to live in a state or region that is susceptible to termite infiltration.

Places that are prone to termite infiltration are often very warm but also have moisture in the air. The combination of heat and damp wood makes for the perfect termite heaven. If you think you’re in such an area, then double down on all preventive measures and precautions to ensure your home doesn’t get destroyed.

 

Key Takeaway

Termites are one of your home’s worst enemies and sometimes no amount of termite control will be able to eradicate them, so why not just prevent the problem from ever starting.

Sure, termites are sneaky creatures that will use anyway to get into your home, but they won’t be able to if you don’t let them. We’ve told you how they infiltrate your home and a few tips on how to stop them. All you have to do now is to bear all of this in mind the next time you’re worrying about termites in your walls and ceiling!

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Mga Natural at Mabisang Pamatay sa Anay

Mga Natural at Mabisang Pamatay sa Anay

Ano ang mga natural at mabisang pamatay sa anay?

  • Orange Oil
  • Mainit at malamig na temperatura
  • Boric Acid
  • Mga patibong na gawa sa karton
  • Sodium Chloride

 

Ang mga anay ay mga pesteng pwedeng sumira ng iyong tahanan—lalo na kung hindi mo maagapan ang pagpasok nila sa iyong bahay. Kaya naman importante na protektahan ito sa simula pa lamang.

Napakahirap solusyonan ang paglaganap ng anay sa iyong bahay sapagkat hindi lamang isa ang nakatira kasama ng iyong pamilya, kundi isang buong kumpol. Kapag nangyari ito, malamang masisira ang buong istruktura ng iyong tahanan. Maliban pa rito, sila rin ay maaaring sumira sa iyong kagamitan sa bahay.

Ngunit, hindi mo kailangan mag-alala dahil may iilang solusyon ang iyong pwedeng gawin. Ang isa sa mga rito ay ang pagtawag sa mga ekspertong pumupuksa sa mga pesteng kagaya na lamang ng anay. Bukod pa rito, maaari ka rin sumubok ng mga natural at mabisang lunas para mapaalis ang mga pesteng ito sa iyong tirahan.

Ang iilang halimbawa ng mga natural na remedyong maaari mong subukan ay ang mga ito:

Orange Oil

Orange Oil

Sa isang eksperimento sa isang laboratoryo, natuklasan na ang orange oil extract ay mabisa na pamatay ng mga anay. Ang porsyento nga mga anay na namatay sa eksperimentong iyon ay nasa 68-96%. Ang mga anay na hindi namatay sa langis na ito naman ay nakitaan ng kahinaan sa pagkain ng kahoy.

Nadiskubre sa eksperimentong ito na ang orange oil ay may kasangkapan na d-limonene ay nakakalason sa mga pesteng kagaya na lamang ng anay. Natuklasan din nila na mabisang ilagay ang orange oil malapit sa pinagpupugaran ng mga anay sa iyong bahay.

Gumawa ng mga maliliit na butas sa mga lugar na pinagbahayan ng anay at i-inject ang orange oil dito. Ito ay eepekto sa loob ng tatlong araw hanggang sa tatlong linggo, depende sa kalubhaan ng paglaganap ng mga anay sa iyong tahanan.

 

Hot and Cold Treatment

Hindi nakakatagal ang anay sa mga sobrang init at lamig na temperatura. Ang mga temperatura na mas mataas sa 48 degrees o mas mababa sa -28 degrees Celsius ay nakakatulong na pumatay ng anay. Painitin ang materyales na kahoy sa temperaturang 48 degree Celsius at patagalin ito ng 33 na minuto.

Maaari mo ring ilagay ang kagamitan na gawa sa kahoy o kahit ano pa man, sa ilalim ng araw. Ito ay magbibigay daan sa pag-evaporate ng moisture na nilalaman nito. Maaaring mamatay ang mga anay o lubayan na nila ang iyong gamit na gawa sa kahoy. Ang init na ito ay isang non-chemical na paraan para sa pagpatay ng anay. At hindi mo na kinakailangang gumastos para rito.

Kung gagamitan mo naman sila ng malamig na temperatura, gumamit ka ng liquid nitrogen. Gumamit ka rin ng special equipment para i-inject ang nitrogen sa mga maliliit na butas. Iwanan ito sa -29 degrees Celsius sa loob ng 5 na minuto. Hindi nila kayang mamuhay sa ganitong kalamig na temperature; kusa nalang silang mamamatay.

 Boric Acid

Boric Acid

Ang boric acid ay isang natural na insecticide na sumisira sa nervous system ng mga anay at nagiging sanhi ng kamatayan nila. Para gamitin ito, ihalo lamang ang boric acid powder sa tubig at ilagay ito sa ibabaw ng kahoy gamit ang paint brush para itaboy na nang tuluyan ang mga anay. Maaari mo rin itong gamitin sa iyong hardin o kwarto, mag halo lamang ng solusyon na nabanggit.

Maaari mo ring i-spray o pinturahan ng borate ang iyong gamit na gawa sa kahoy, para mababad ito sa crystallized boric acid. Kapag kakainin na ng mga anay ang kahoy na ito, sila ay tuluyang malalason. Siguraduhin lamang na magsuot ng masks at guwantes kapag gagamit ng boric acid dahil ito rin ay mapanganib para sa tao.

 

Mga Patibong na Gawa sa Karton

Hindi lamang kahoy ang kinakain ng mga anay, pati na rin ang mga papel at karton. Lahat na mayroong cellulose ay pagkain ng anay. Maaari mong gamitin ito para sa mabisang pagpatay sa mga pesteng ito. Gamitin ang karton para gumawa ng patibong na tutulong maglinis ng iyong bahay laban sa anay.

Basain ang karton at ilagay sa mga apektadong lugar para maakit ang mga anay. Kapag napuno na ang karton ng mga anay, gumamit ng guwantes para hawakan ito. Silaban ang karton at ulitin hanggang sa maubos ang mga anay.

Sodium Chloride

Sodium Chloride

Ang sodium chloride ay isa ring mabisang insecticide. Ito ay isang kasangkapan na makikita mo lamang sa iyong kusina. Ang asin ay isang mabisang pamatay ng anay dahil ito ay merong cellulose na paboritong pagkain ng mga anay.

Para gamitin ito laban sa mga anay, ihalo ang asin sa baso ng maligamgam na tubig. Magbabad ng bulak sa solusyon at ilagay ito sa lugar kung saan sila namumuhay. Lalapitan nila ang bulak dahil sa cellulose na nilalaman nito. Hindi lamang mabisang pamatay ng anay ang paraan na ito; ito rin ay isang epektibong paraan para makapagpigil sa mga anay na bumalik pang muli.

 

Konklusyon

Ang mga natural at mabisang paraan para pumatay ng anay ay isang alternatibong maaari mong gawin bago tumawag sa pest control services. Ang mga materyal na gagamitin dito ay madali lamang mahahanap sa iyong bahay.

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Paano Protektahan ang Iyong Bahay mula sa mga Anay

Paano Protektahan ang Iyong Bahay mula sa mga Anay

Ano ang mga paraan para protektahan ang iyong bahay mula sa mga anay?

  • Ihanda ang iyong tahanan para maiwasan tumira ang mga anay dito.
  • Hanapin ang kolonya ng mga anay
  • Alamin ang kinakailangan mong gawin upang mapalayas ang mga anay sa iyong tahanan

 

Hindi maiiwasang magkaroon ng mga karaniwang peste sa iyong bahay katulad ng ipis, lamok, langgam, at anay. Pest control ang mabisang sagot sa pagpapanatili ng kalinisan sa paligid ng iyong tahanan at iwasan ang pagdami ng kanilang uri.

Ngunit, paano mo malalaman kung kanino ka sasanguni kung marami ang nag aalok sa iyo ng kanilang serbisyo ng pest control? Ang anay pa naman ay isang uri ng peste na mahirap iwasan lalo na kung mayroon kang mga istruktura na gawa sa kahoy sa iyong bahay.

Kinakailangang protektahan mo ang iyong bahay laban sa anay dahil mahirap palitan ang mga kasiraan na kanilang ihahatid sa iyong mga pag-aari katulad ng mga papel, damit, mismong yari ng iyong bahay, at pan minsan, ang iyong pinagipunang pera. Napakahalagang iwasan ang pagkakaroon ng mga lugar sa iyong bahay na maaaring pasukin ng kolonya ng mga anay.

Pag uusapan natin sa artikulong ito ang mga epektibong paraan upang puksain ang mga anay, basahin ang mga sumusunod para hindi na maging problema ang pag bisita ng anay sa iyong iniingatang bahay:

 Ihanda ang Iyong Tahanan para sa Posibleng Paninirahan ng Anay

Ihanda ang Iyong Tahanan para sa Posibleng Paninirahan ng Anay

Bago pa man itayo ang bahay, maghanda na ng mga paraan para pigilan ang pagbisita ng mga anay. Isabay ang paglalapat ng lunas para sa lupa laban sa mga anay. Magkaroon ng treatment sa palibot ng lupa ng iyong bahay nang hindi na makalapit ang mga anay. Tumawag sa pest control service upang kumonsulta tungkol sa mabisang lunas para makaiwas sa anay habang itinatayo ang iyong bahay.

Iwasan ring gumamit ng mga marupok na material ng kahoy. Ang mga manipis at mahinang uri ng kahoy ay dapat huwag gamit sa pag tayo ng iyong tahanan sapagkat ang mga ito ay madalas pamugaran ng mga anay. Kung maaari, iwasan din ang pagsandal sa kahoy sa mga pader dahil puwedeng maging daanan ito ng mga anay para pumasok sa loob ng iyong bahay.

Suriin din ang paligid ng iyong bahay kung ito ay protektado mula sa mga posibleng paninirahan ng kolonya ng anay. Ang mga puno ay hindi dapat nakadikit sa anumang uri ng materyal sa iyong bahay na gawa sa kahoy at huwag din itong idikit sa bubong dahil pwede rin itong daanan ng mga peste katulad ng langgam at anay.

 

Hanapin ang Mismong Kolonya ng mga Anay

Malaki ang posibilidad na hindi malutasan ng pest control service o ng natural na gamot ang pagdami ng mga anay kung hindi mo alam kung saan nanggagaling ang mga pesteng ito. Upang mapuksa ito, kailangang mapatay ang kanilang tahanan kasama ng kanilang kolonya. Kung gagamit ng boric acid, maging maalam sa mga posibleng panganib na makukuha dito.

Mabuting pag-aralan muna ang paggamit nito dahil hindi ito simpleng kagamitan sa bahay. Ang pulbos nito ay may mapanganib na epekto sa mga bata o sanggol kung ito ay nalanghap nila. Kung gagamitin ang boric acid sa kusina, sala, o kwarto, siguraduhin munang hindi ito mapupunta sa kubyertos at iba pang mga kasangkapan sa bahay.

Kumunsulta sa isang grupo na nagbibigay ng serbisyong pest control, at ang mga anay ay hindi na ulit mangagambala sa iyo. Dumulog sa kanila nang malaman mo rin ang mga tamang hakbang laban sa pagdami ng anay sa loob at sa labas ng iyong tahanan. Huwag basta gumamit ng kemikal sa loob at labas ng bahay, alamin muna kung ano ang nararapat na aplikasyon para dito.

Alamin ang Lahat ng Impormasyon Tungkol sa Anay

(Source: articles.extension.org)

Alamin ang Lahat ng Impormasyon Tungkol sa Anay

Upang maitaboy ang mga anay na maaring sumira sa bahay na iyong pinaghirapang makuha, alamin muna kung ano ba ang mga pinsala na maaaring maidulot nito sa iyong mga ari-arian at kung ano ba talaga ang kayang gawin nitong pesteng ito. Halimbawa, ang anay ay kumakain ng malalambot na kahoy at mga tuyong halaman.

Marapat lang din na alamin ang mga senyales ng pag bisita ng anay sa iyong bahay. Madalas na naninira sila ng mga gamit nang hindi mo nalalaman kaya bago pa man ito mangyari, iwasan na ang kanilang paninirahan sa mga silid ng iyong tahanan. Dapat mo rin malaman na palagi silang makikitang sa kanilang mga kuyog o grupo kaya kailangan mo munang matukoy kung saan nila itinayo ang kanilang pugad.

Ang mga anay din ay kumakain buong araw at buong linggo nang walang pahinga kaya ito ay masamang balita para sa iyong mga kagamitan at sa iyong puhunan na inilaan para sa mga ito. Ang mga pakpak ng mga anay ay maaaring kumalat kapag nakakahanap sila ng ibang lokasyon para gawing tirahan. Hanapin ang mga ito at dumulog na agad sa mabisang pest control service.

Ang mga anay ay may kakayahang ngatngatin ang kahoy, sahig, pader, at iba pang mga istruktura ng iyong bahay. Sila ay nakakapasok sa mga maliliit na lagusan sa labas ng iyong bahay. Maaari rin silang mag iwan ng mud trail na senyales ng kanilang presensya sa iyong bahay.

 

Konklusyon

Ang mga anay ay ang mga pangunahing peste na dapat mong iwasan sa iyong bahay. Hindi lamang ang iyong kagamitan ang kanilang puntirya pero pati na rin ang istruktura ng iyong bahay. Sundin lamang ang mga paraang makikita sa itaas para ma-protektahan ang iyong bahay. Mainam din tumawag sa isang epektibong pest control service para agad masolusyunan ang iyong problema!