Should you plan of treating your lumbers to prevent termite infestation, below are a few options you might want to consider:

1.      Go for lumbers that are naturally termite resistant especially if you have to put them at ground level. Amazingly, there are wood variants whose natural components do well in deterring termites. For example, redwood and cedar are being used nowadays especially for furniture designed to be displayed outdoors because of their natural insect repelling components. Another example of naturally termite resistant wood is teak because of it being dense and difficult to chew through.
2.   Go for lumbers that are pressure treated. For any outdoor furniture or building that you plan to add to your property like your fence, it is best to use a lumber that is pretreated. Pressure treated pine is a great option to consider. The treatment does likely contain a chemical preservative that acts as an insecticide, hence it is safe to say pressure treated lumbers are really worth a try. Chemicals most commonly used for this treatment are alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) and copper boron azole (CBA). Note, though, that pressure treated lumbers do not guarantee a 100% termite proof building or furniture but in terms of reducing the risk, it works very well.
3.   Seal existing lumbers. You can also keep termites from feasting by sealing your lumbers using a sealer. Not only does it drive the termites away, it also prevents water damage that weakens the lumber which makes it more inviting to termites.
4.   Treat existing lumbers. In treating your lumbers, go for a spray solution that treats raw wood; something that is usable before you start staining or painting your woods. To assist you, below are steps you should follow:

Step 1 – Buy a chemical treatment solution that is borax-based. One great example of this is Boracare (generic name is Borada LP) or you can also use Timbor (generic name is Borada D). You can buy these solutions usually at home and garden supply stores and establishments.

Step 2 – While it is understandable how you can get overly excited to put an end to your termite problems with these simple termites control at home, it pays to carry every step out with caution. Before you use the chemical solution you have purchased, make sure you are already familiar with the instructions indicated on the labels that it comes with. Also, make sure you are wearing appropriate outfit as you do so. As much as possible, wear gloves, safety glasses, and masks.

Step 3 – Once you have read the instructions carefully and thoroughly, you can then start applying the solution over the entire surface of your lumber. You can do this either with a paintbrush or a garden hose spray adapter if you have bought a type of solution that can be diluted with water.

Step 4 – As soon as you are done spraying or painting the solution out, allow the lumber to dry for 24 hours.

Step 5 – Apply a second layer of solution to the entire surface for added termites treatment and protection.

Your morning can be ruined if a roach, spider, or rodent in your house is the first thing you come across. Flying bugs such as flies and mosquitoes and even ants can ruin your backyard BBQ party and dent your home’s image as a clean pest-free place.  You can keep these unwelcome bugs and critters away with the following pest control Singapore tips.

•    Block Their Entry

Establishing preventive measures that make it difficult for pests to enter your home is one of the primary elements of your first line of defense. Ensure that you close off any gaps and entry points around your doors and windows. Also, upgrade the vents to ensure they only allow air in and out of your house.

•    Inspect And Clean The Indoor And Outdoor Furniture

For most homes, cleaning involves the floors and walls forgetting the furniture and ceiling. The right approach to cleaning should have and up – down system where you start with the ceiling moving down the wall to the furniture and finishing with the floors. This way, you will also manage to dust, vacuum and clean very thing thus reducing the chances of having bugs thriving in your furniture and other areas that are often overlooked.

•    Store Food Properly

Make sure all foods are stored properly and get rid of crumbs on the floor, counters, sink and other surfaces. Do not leave anything that the pests can eat particularly the rats, ants and cockroaches. Also, take out the trash and keep the bin covered.

•    Clean Up The Yard

You should always maintain a clean surrounding in and outside the house. Keep the overgrowth at bay and pests will not find places to make their nests. Mow the lawn, weed the garden, prune the bushes, trim the trees and rake up the debris.

•    Get Rid Of Standing Water

The first step in controlling the mosquito infestation in your home is getting rid of stagnated water. Take a walk around your property to check for any standing water. Also, pick any items scattered throughout the yard that may hold water.

•    Dealing With Termites

Treat any exposed timber in your home’s structural foundation protecting it against termites and other wood-destroying bugs. If you use firewood, store it at a distance from your house or shed (at least five feet away). The pile of wood should be stored in racks and around a foot off the ground.

•    Don’t Throw Perishables Out Too Soon

If you have to throw away any perishables, do so only if you are sure that the garbage will be picked up within 36 hours. You can keep them in an airtight back and have designated containers for them that have an airtight lid. You should observe this rule more so during summer when the days are hot and speed up the decaying processes of most perishables. The smell of rotting meat, fruits and vegetables attract all manner of insects and animals including squirrels and raccoons.

•    Don’t Bring The Outside In

The kids or pets love playing with toys, but you should have inside toys, and those meant for outdoor playtime. Thoroughly clean or wipe down any outside toys as well as furniture that you intend to bring into the house.

•    Keep Your Pets Clean

Pets can be carriers of dirt and bugs especially if they spend most of their time outdoors. Always ensure that your yard is a clean place for them to play in; this limits chances of the animals bringing insects into your house. Also, clean the pets regularly to ensure they are free of any bugs.

•    Use a Pest Control Service

The last move is to higher pest control Singapore professionals how will create customized plans to help in treating and managing pests in your home and surroundings.

A popular way to get rid of large colonies of termites completely is termite tenting and fumigation especially in Singpore. It is a popular solution majority of pest control companies offer to end termite problems, including those that infest in the most inconvenient areas like deck wood or walls. In layman’s term, fumigation is exposing the infested area, i.e. your home, office, or any other structure, to a large amount of pesticidal gas. On the other hand, termite tent treatment is a process where the entire structure is already being covered with a tent as the pesticidal gases are being aired out. This is to make sure the gases penetrate into the entire area.

Termite tenting and fumigation Singapore usually takes three to four days to complete. It involves sealing off the entire structure and for it to be successful, detailed preparation is important. The tent that is made out of tarpaulin should seal in the air within the structure in an airtight extent to make sure the gas does not get out. To hold the tent in place for the entire period, the structure has to be sealed completely with the help of stakes, large weights, or any weighted water containers. Once sealing is smoothened out, the pesticidal gas is then pumped inside the tent.

Unlike spot treatments like sprays, bug bombs, and traps that only target particular areas like the attics or the basement, termite tenting and fumigation is intended for the proofing of the entire structure. It has been used as a standard solution for over forty years. However, health issues and environmental concerns have emerged with regards to the treatment. For instance, the chemical or gas used in the treatment is methyl bromide, a colorless and odorless substance that is highly toxic for the termites and all living beings on the area but also has its bad effect to the ozone layer. This gas is said to evaporate fast in the air causing such environmental issues and human beings who happen to ingest or inhale such a chemical can suffer from nervous system and major organ failure such as the lungs, eyes, and the skin.

Because of the nature and hazard of the chemicals and the gas used in termite tenting and fumigation especially when inhaled or ingested, termite tenting and fumigation has been banned in many areas in United States. Also, the process requires to be carried out only by a certified, licensed and professional exterminator.

With methyl bromide gas making tenting and fumigation a potentially risky solution, a lot of professionals have advised using vikane gas instead for the termite fumigation treatments. This gas may be pretty much the same with methyl bromide. If inhaled too much, it can cause vomiting, nausea, low blood pressure, or worst, death. Nonetheless, it is considered a better version of the methyl bromide because it does not leave any residue on the fumigated area, making it way safer for those who would be returning to the structure. However, because it is highly likely that no residue is left, vikane gas is not considered a preventive substance against termites re-infesting. Therefore, applying preventive measures like treating the lumbers used and any woodworks inside the structure should be carried out.

Should you consider, after all, termite tenting and fumigation to eradicate your termite problems at home, bear these points below in mind:

• There is no such legit thing as “eco” fumigation as it still uses chemicals for the treatment.
• It would help if you know very well the chemicals used in the fumigation process to make sure you are well informed of the risks. Do not hesitate asking the pest control company about it.
• Make sure your home is fully ventilated for several days after the treatment just to make sure no gas residue is present when you return home.
• Think your options over. Do not rush it.

Among the wide family of termites, two kinds are mostly seen in houses and structures: the “drywood termites“, and the subterranean termites. Drywood termites usually dig deep within wooden structures while subterranean ones usually nest and live underground.

To save your house from such pest problems or keep the damage at low, early action and prevention methods should be carried out. Here are the most common signs you could be facing termite problems at home:

• A Swarm’s Presence Anywhere In Your Area

Have you been noticing a number of flying termites under your roof? The winged ones usually emerge from the ground in groups called “reproductive swarms”. They appear especially in early summer or in spring. Every swarm typically has members looking for a mate in it, and they would eventually reproduce to establish a colony. If you have spotted any swarms in your area, or at least noticed a number of discarded wings in specific corners like the basement, consider it a strong sign that a termite colony have intruded your property.

• Structural Property and Construction Damage 

Termites can nest in your walls and house structures. Drywood termites, for instance, are usually found in walls or furniture. They are the usual culprit of damages even in antique ones. Apparently, though, not only structures made of wood are considered termite invasion targets. They also pose a threat to structures made of other selective materials apart from feeding on ceilings, floors, cabinets, and wooden furniture. In fact, termites are also capable of passing through metal sliding windows, plasters, and more.

Termites are called silent invaders because they are often unnoticed until considerable damage is seen.

If you have seen a suspicious damage in your properties or home construction, know that it may be a sign of a serious termite problem. Because of there silent nature, it may be practical to seek regular help from a pest control company.

• Narrow Mud Tubes

These mud tubes that run along your outside walls may indicate that termites have put up tunnels between their source of food that is your wooden structures, and their nest. If you have noticed tunnels along your house foundation, it could be a sign that subterranean termites have infested in your underground area.

• Hollow Sounds

Try tapping your wooden walls and furniture from time to time. More often than not, a hollow kind of sound means some creatures are starting to feed on these woods from the inside. A hollow sound is one of the early signs that termites are beginning to destruct your property. Unfortunately, late detection usually means termite infested woods might need complete replacement.

Other specific and easy-to-remember warning signs that termites have infested or are about to intrude are as follows:

• Crumbling wood
• Discoloration and presence of small holes in dry walls
• Floorboards with excessively squeaky sound
• Windows or doors that are hard to move
• Patterns visible in furniture, walls, and floor boards that are usually maze-like
• Tiles loosening
• Presence of drywood termite pellets that usually appear like small piles of pepper or salt

Because presence of termites can be hard to determine, a regular thorough inspection of any property is vital to prevent structural damages. If you barely have time to do the inspections yourself, call a pest control hotline right away. Their professionals are usually armed with the right equipment and knowledge in assessing whether you really have termite visitors or not. They also offer solutions to completely eradicate them.