You’re sitting in your kitchen by the window, sipping your hot coffee while watching the sunlight embrace your garden, then all of a sudden, you notice small critters climbing and entering the wood frame of your window. Sounds crazy, right?
Wood-destroying pests infest wood for food and to build their nest. They create entry and exit points and build interconnected tunnels to accommodate their colonies with hundreds of eggs. Consequently, they can cause severe destruction and life-threatening damage to the structure of your house.
In this article, we will discuss effective solutions to prevent wood infestation.
Here’s How You Can Prevent Wood Infestation
Wood is the most common material used in construction. However, it can be prone to damaging infestation. Here are the best tips and techniques to prevent infestation-related problems on your woodwork.
Use approved chemical-base treatment
There are various chemical solutions available around to help protect wooden structures and furniture. To avoid these wood pests, you can use termiticide baits, chemical barriers, and other chemical-based wood treatments. Additionally, different kinds of solutions can cover tiny holes and prevent liquid absorption.
Wood Treatment and Preservatives
Treated wood can prevent damage caused by moisture, insects, and fungi. It is very effective, but it’s expensive. It requires a lot of hard work and is time-consuming, but the result is surely rewarding.
Luckily, various pest control agencies offer wood treatment and preservative services. They can assist you in protecting your wooden structures.
Use a Wood Sealer
Sealing your wood prevents water damage which can lead to pest destruction. Using a wood sealer will make your timber last for a long period of time and survive harsh weather conditions. Also, it’s advisable to hire an expert to properly seal your wood and to avoid further damage caused by insects and other pests.
Apply Varnish
Applying wood varnish can be the simplest and cheapest way to prevent molds and wood pest infestation. It’s a solution that can give extra shine to your furniture and a protective coat to prevent water damage and insect overtaking.
Also, it is available in almost any hardware. Additionally, you don’t need to hire an expert to coat your wood projects. You just need a container and a paintbrush to do the job.
Buy wood that has natural protection against termites
Several wood types have a natural resistance against decay, liquid, insects, and fungi, making it an ideal choice for building a house or a bigger structure. Their strong and thick wood can resist all kinds of damage.
Redwood, cedar wood, mahogany, yew wood, black locust, and cypress are among the best wood that can resist wood infestation. Investing in good quality wood can save a lot of money, and you can guarantee that it is insect-free.
Use Boric Acid
Spraying boric acid can prevent and eliminate termites and other wood parasites. Mix the borax powder with water and spray it on the affected or vulnerable area. This safe and non-toxic method ensures that pests will vanish after application.
Boric acid is available in every hardware across the country. Additionally, you don’t need to get an expert to get things done because you can do it by yourself!
Oil Treatment
For those who love home hacks, orange, neem, and gasoline oil can drive away termites and other pests. Both orange and neem oil contain the compound d-limonene, which can easily eliminate pests. You can pour or spray the oils in the affected area twice daily for the best results.
On the other hand, gasoline oil can definitely kill insects and termites, but it has a bad odor that can be hazardous to your health. Our best advice is to use gasoline outside. Apply it to your wooden fences and other structures outside your house.
Sunlight Treatment
Furniture infested with insects and termites can be treated by putting them outside of your house for at least two days. Termites and other critters thrive in dark places, making them sensitive to sunlight. They simply hate warmth and light.
Exposure to sunlight can kill termites, and it is the best natural way to get rid of them. Plus, it’s chemical-free, and you don’t have to spend a dollar. You can do this as an early and easy preventive measure once you suspect an infestation.
Safe Distance
Termites, insects, and other pests usually build their colonies near the ground. Hence, having a safe distance between your home and your garden is advisable. Plants and soil are good food sources for most critters and insects, so a garden is like a paradise for them.
Experts recommend that the distance should be at least eighteen inches. If your garden is too close to your house, always check your wood structure from time to time to prevent further invasion.
Parasite to Parasite
Nematodes are small parasitic worms that love to eat insect larvae and can kill them in just two days. You can buy them online, in your local nursery, or in stores that sell unique animals for pets. The worms will not cause further damage to the wood, and it’s safe and harmless to humans.
Monitor and Maintain Property Sanitation
The most important thing you need to consider when ensuring a safe home is to have proper sanitation in your area. Remember, most pests are attracted to unhygienic conditions. Make sure there are no water leaks, decaying materials, cracks, and other things that may lure pests to invade your property.
If any structural problems may trigger an infestation, fix them right away. Dispose properly of any things that are badly infested to avoid re-infestation. Throw decomposing wastes and other causative agents of pest attacks.
Proper Yard Maintenance
If you live in a forested area, always have proper yard maintenance. Rotting leaves, tree limbs, and branches can be food sources and shelter for pests that roam near your property. Ensure you clean and throw them properly, especially away from your woodwork.
Proper Storage of Wood
Your wood projects should be stored neatly in clean storage. Avoid placing your wood in areas exposed to air, water, moisture, and excessive heat. Constant exposure to these environmental elements may cause unhealthy levels of condition that can lead to rotting, making your wood vulnerable to pest attack.
You should also store your firewood away from good wood and furniture. Firewoods are mostly home to pest eggs and larvae that can affect other wood in your home. Store your firewood at least 20 feet away from your home.
Conclusion
Adding wood to the interior and exterior of your house can add aesthetic appeal. It looks warm, cozy, welcoming, and attractive. Wood is the most commonly used material in building a house or a structure. So, you must find ways to prolong its lifespan to save money and, most importantly, to save Mother Earth.
There are many ways to prevent wood infestation. But you can try and experiment with other possible and safer solutions so that you can help others as well. If you want to know more about handling wood infestation problems, you can check other available resources.
If the infestation starts, there are still ways to save your woodwork. Check these easy-to-follow guides about wood project restoration and DIY reclaimed wood projects!
