The beauty and warmth of wood furniture are constantly present in interior spaces, and they may remain for decades. However, wood furniture can get quickly harmed by drywood termites and their underground cousins. If you discover mounds of wood dust under your hardwood furniture, you likely have termites in wooden furniture.
Termites in wooden furniture are the most destructive and pests. What makes matters worse is that it is hard to detect when an infestation has begun to take hold. If your residence has infested furniture, you must understand how termites infest furniture and the signs to look for. If there are termites in furniture, likely, they can also be in your entire house. It would be advisable to inspect the dry wood and to treat it. Keep reading to discover more on the matter!
Basic Signs of Drywood Termites
As you move around your home and clean, the last thing on your mind will be termites. We keep our homes clean because we want to ensure that our homes are clean and not invite live termites or other critters. One of the primary reasons that termites are difficult to deal with is that you cannot observe them until they have caused significant damage to furniture. Or they have established big drywood termite colonies.
Here are unmistakable signs of a termite infestation:
- woody smell
- hollow sound
- shed wings
- mud tubes
- droppings that resemble dried coffee grounds
- cracks or small holes on the inside of furniture
It is tough to resolve the infested furniture problem since they live in colonies, making it impossible without the necessary instruments or chemicals. Damage to furniture may not be quickly apparent on the exterior; nevertheless, you may be able to detect deterioration in less obvious areas of the movable.
Treatments for Termites on Furniture
So, you have found termite infestation and are now wondering how you can stop these voracious insects from damaging your wooden furniture. These solutions can help you eliminate active termites:
1.) Oil treatment for your furniture
Neem and orange oil are quite effective when dealing with termites. They contain a chemical known as d-limonene, which can quickly eliminate termites when they interact with it. Depending on the amount of neem oil you use on your furniture, termites may need to ingest it to die. If you want the optimum effects, pour or spray these oils on the problematic regions many times. Adding oil treatment to your wood furniture pr affected area will not lead to you ruining the aesthetic of your furniture. It is one of the things people worry about, so you can apply generous amounts without causing any damage to the furnishings.
2.) Borax powder
If you discover that termites are already in your home and chewing on your furniture, you should purchase borax, a mineral salt of boric acid. Mix the powder and water and spray the mixture on the infested furniture. Borax isn’t toxic. Additionally, it is less likely for termites to survive this termite treatment. After a few hours, the termites will disappear, and they will be a thing of the past. To achieve the most outstanding results, you should combine this approach with the oil treatment of your wood.
3.) Aerate your home
Termites in furniture flourish in moist conditions. It would aid if you opened the windows often to ensure that your house has some air and your wood furniture stays dry. Opening your curtains and letting the sunshine on your movables will also go a long way. Termites are unable to withstand high temperatures. They quickly perish when exposed to high temperatures. This procedure also aids in the removal of moisture from the furniture, which in turn helps to avoid additional termite damage.
4.) Liquid nitrogen
Injecting liquid nitrogen into drywood furniture or areas infested with termites is another way of decimating a colony. Termites have a low tolerance for extreme temperatures. Nitrogen freezes when it turns into a gas and makes the termites uncomfortable. Much like zapping and heat treatments, the freezing method is environmentally friendly and safe.
5.) Call a pest control professional
If you find fecal pellets or discover termites on your wooden furniture, you can call an exterminator to fix your termite issue. Termites may be hard to detect and arduous to kill. For that matter, it is advisable to speak to a professional and not fumigate your own house. A trained and licensed termite control expert can apply the best termite treatment and can prevent re-infestation.
6.) Fix leaks early
Dampwood termites thrive in conditions such as moisture-laden walls and broken roofs. Keep an eye on indications of rot or leaks around the property. Repair and seal leaks as soon as you discover them. It would be advisable to do any necessary inspections to avoid destructive pests. Basements and dirty nooks get frequently disregarded, resulting in bug infestations and property damage. Leaks in the basement are particularly harmful since they are so near the ground and make it easier for termites to establish a nest there.
Tips for Preventing Drywood Termite Infestation
We’ve discovered how to get rid of termites. But what if it had been possible to prevent termites? Just keep reading!
Pay attention to where you set your furniture. Don’t avoid having wooden furnishings where the sun shines. Attend to any leaks and spills in the house. Water will compromise the quality of your furniture and make it easy for termites to finish it off. Termites search for moisture, cracks, and holes to survive.
Declutter your home. It may be demanding to get rid of old wood furniture, but holding on to it doesn’t do you any good. The more clutter exists in your home, the harder it is to spot termites. Depending on where you dwell, you may need to rely on a pest control company to ensure that your home is safe from termites.
Drywood termites and subterranean termites are the types of termites that can cause damage to wood and wooden items. Subterranean termites may live in both soil and wood, making them versatile species. These organisms seek damp environments in which to establish their colonies, according to National Geographic.
Termite infestation in your furniture? Contact Local Termite Control Experts
Biotherm Green Inc. offers safe and effective termite treatments in Central Florida and the surrounding areas. Call to schedule a termite inspection, and get a termite control or fumigation plan that eliminates subterranean termites in your home and prevents future damage to your home.