With most household pests, there is usually a way to avoid using chemical-based pesticides and baits in pest control, but with termites, nothing has worked more effectively than chemicals. Unfortunately, this tends to leave little option for homeowners who would rather not use chemicals inside their home, but are forced to breathe in the fumes nonetheless in order to avoid termites from overrunning their home. There are ways you can apply chemical pesticides without risking your health or damaging your home.
Concentrated Spraying
In using chemical spraying, the best way to keep it from damaging home materials is to concentrate the spray target so that it stays within the areas where termites are actually present rather than spraying indiscriminately to the unaffected spots that may react to the chemical and cause it to burn or eat through the carpet or wall.
Part of knowing how to kill termites has to start with inspecting your home to identify where the termites are frequenting. Some of these may be hard to find, as termites prefer remaining hidden, but they are still noticeable enough to be spotted. Once this has happened, make sure that the nozzle of the spray is set on a stream setting, not spray. Lastly – and this may be the most difficult to avoid – but don’t overspray! Termite treatments are highly concentrated, so resist the urge to douse the area and potentially damaging the material.
Caulking and Sealing
Some caulking and sealant solutions can be mixed with termite pesticides before being applied. Browse the caulking section at your local home service store and see if there are any varieties that allow for additives to be included. Take it home, mix in the chemical pesticide, and start sealing up cracks and openings that termites may be coming in through. Pay particular attention to windows and doors, as well as the foundation’s edges. If the edges around bathroom and shower pipes are starting to lose their strength, consider reapplying caulk, since termites love moisture and seek areas where it is present.
If you’re still hesitant about doing any termite control on your own, you can always contact a professional pest company that knows how to kill termites without risking damages to your home. At the very least, you can usually get a complimentary evaluation that helps you identify where to focus your attention on in getting rid of termites from your home.