Treat Your Foundation Subterranean Termite Infestation With Beneficial Nematodes

Therefore, homeowners need to take proactive steps to manage an invasion of subterranean termites. Beneficial nematodes provide a safe and natural control method that most homeowners without pest-control experience should be able to handle on their own.

An invasion of subterranean termites is most likely to occur in a basement. The small cracks common throughout a foundation provide easy access for these pestering creatures. As they burrow through the wood to make a home, termites will inevitably damage the foundation of a house.

At first, this damage is likely to be quite small. However, a continuing expansion of termites throughout a basement will lead to profoundly damaged foundation wood. As this wood gets broken apart, a shift in a house's weight distribution will occur.

Even a slight change in this distribution of a house's weight may cause severe damage to a foundation. Cracks may start to appear in walls and affect how well doors and windows shut. If left to worsen, these foundation cracks may cost thousands of dollars to repair.

Foundation repairs consist of adding new wooden support beams or even replacing the damaged wood. Unfortunately in some cases, complete foundation replacement is inevitable. However, homeowners can take steps to manage minor termite infestations with a DIY treatment like beneficial nematodes. If the infestation expands past a handful of termites, however, you might need professional help to manage the situation.

Nematode species vary but share one trait: an ability to kill termites. In a study, researchers stated that nematodes were one of the best natural ways to destroy an infestation without impacting a home.

The use of nematodes is perhaps the least damaging type of control available. Nematodes are not destructive to wood or other areas of a house and provide no health risk to people or their pets. In fact, most nematodes likely pass away after the termites are gone.

Homeowners interested in using nematodes can find various species in multiple home and garden shops. A small bag of beneficial nematodes should provide more than enough termite-killing power for the average home. And best of all, nematode application is something any homeowner can handle.

Home application of nematodes must be handled in a careful and controlled manner. Mix the nematodes into a gallon bucket of water and stir to blend them evenly. Wait a few minutes before you pour the nematodes and water into a small spray bottle or two.

Go into the basement and spray the nematode water on the termite-infected wood of your foundation. Once it lands, the water will soak into the affected wood and spread the nematodes. Apply more nematode water on termite-infected wood outside of a home. Application on these areas will kill termites by spreading nematodes through the colony, including to the queen.

In most cases, a once-per-day spray of nematode water should be enough to destroy termites. Don't hesitate to add it to other areas of the home to keep termites away. For example, wooden beams in a ceiling should be treated to keep termites away and a home safe from a damaged roof.

When homes are invaded by subterranean termites, nematodes may be the only treatment necessary. However, some termite infestations are more serious and need professional help to manage. Contact American Pest Professionals to learn more about termite control and what types of control methods are beneficial for your home.