White ant termites are irritating pests which can cause great damage to homes and buildings. Especially those that are made largely of wood. These pale-coloured insects can nest in your home and build a colony of white ant termites. If not prevented, they can immediately occupy a big space in your house.
There are a few important things
- Termites must have constant access to water. They immediately die when they dry out.
- They are detritus feeders so they mostly feed on waste or debris of any kind such as organic matter like wood. But also house foundations, furniture, shelves, and even books.
- Once they establish a nesting mound, they construct elaborate tunnels and paths inside especially for their queen.
Termite infestation
Termite infestation usually begins when warm temperatures or heavy rainfall occurs. This triggers them to establish a colony. And send out a swarm of winged termites to reproduce and find a new queen.
Swarmers are usually mistaken for flying ants. But a winged termite has a broader body and even pairs of wings as opposed to an ant’s body that has a narrow waist. Their antennae are also straight whereas ants have bent or elbowed antennae.
Method to prevent the termites
Some people prefer to do the barrier method where they spray the outdoor area surrounding their home with poison to prevent the termites from entering their inside.
Others think that focusing on putting poison on already swarmed areas is helpful. But termites can easily find another entry point to enter your house one way or another. So it’s better to poison all areas. Including little holes where these pests can still lead their entire colony.
This is more of a preventive act than a cure. This is an expensive treatment but works for many. You will need a professional to help you get this method done.
Another method to prevent termites from infesting your home is by baiting them. Termite baits can consist of paper, cardboard, wood or other termite food, mixed with a lethal substance. Using a specific pen ink to lead them to your bait can also help.
The pheromone substance in the ink that mimics the smell from foods they feed on highly attracts these termites. You can station your bait wherever appropriate. Like nearby their colony, which can be in a mud tube or feeding site. This method as it is quite complicated, should be carried out by a qualified pest control specialist.
