Is it safe to live in a house with termites?
This question sounds old-school to me…
Termites have and will ALWAYS be a major concern for homeowners, especially for those who live in wooden houses.
That is because you all have something they want: that delicious, crispy wood.
But it is shocking how some of us feel less concerned. It happened to me.
Look at it from this angle:
Termites’ bite isn’t as painful since they don’t release toxins.
Moreover, they could live under the radar — nesting in your home’s structure —and you have never crossed paths.
And since they don’t carry harmful diseases known to humans, you might be reluctant to drive them away.
Does that sound like you?
But what you don’t know is: constant exposure to termite infection can result in allergic reactions, and sometimes provokes asthma attacks.
And that is just the tip of the iceberg. I will fill you in below.
I Saw One Termite In My House…And Guess What?
The second encounter was a colony ripping off my baseboards.
Let me get this one off your chest:
Nothing is safe with pests!
Ahem! Hear me loud and clear. Whether with ants, cockroaches, flies, spiders, or mosquitos.
These nuisances will bug you out of your sleep and make your life a living hell during the day.
Personally…I don’t like termites.
Their smell reminds me of the musty odor of mildew and mold.
And not to mention the thousands of dollars in property damage they caused me.
I would do anything, even to blast a crater in their racial memory so deep that they won’t come within a thousand klick of my home EVER again.
So Is It Safe To Live In A House With Termites?
Absolutely not!
There isn’t a single benefit of living with termites in your home. If there is, please comment below. I would be curious to know.
However, the ONLY usefulness is that they help in the wild, as they break down dead trees, which supplies nutrients to replenish the soil.
In homes, they are nothing but savages.
So a sign of termite infestation shouldn’t be taken lightly because your home structure will soon be on the verge of collapse.
These termites will destroy your home by eating through your wood and wood products. As they do this, they trigger mold and mildew that release spores into the air.
And thanks to the heating or ventilation system, these irritating particles can get airborne.
This spread (even the dust from termite nests) might aggravate allergies or asthma.
Considering they can live up to two years –for the workers and soldiers– while the queen termites span over a decade, it is going to be a long party.
I veered toward a natural DIY solution when I couldn’t afford the average termite treatment priced at around $575 –at that time.
And it worked miraculously well after much trial and error.
I learned to forge a formidable weapon equally effective as most liquid termiticides. And that was a mix of vinegar and lemon juice.
YEAH, I know….it sounds like a juicing recipe.
But as appetizing as it sounds, this solution can soak into any termite-damaged area and clear cracks of termites.
Moreover, it is a SAFER acidic spray than boric acid. Just squeeze out the juice of two lemons mixed with half a cup of vinegar.
You can also capitalize on smells termites hate. I’m talking about the robust smell of geranium, cedarwood, and tea tree oil.
Cinnamon, clove bud, and garlic oils also serve as deterrents for termites.
Check out: What Do Termite Holes Look Like?
What Attracts Termites To Your House?
People say that “swarming” (the mating season) is when termite invades a home.
Hmmm! Not necessarily.
Your woods are enough reason for an invitation.
Depending on the species, termites are drawn into a home by cracks, wood in the house foundation, and moisture.
They will feast on any cellulose material, and that also includes:
- Plants.
- Carpet.
- Insulation.
- Cardboard.
- Sheetrock paper.
- Fabric.
- Animal feces.
Now you know they are even crazier than you thought. Lol.
If My Neighbor Has Termites, What Should I Do?
My termite-home infestation all started with my Neighbor’s.
I didn’t want to believe it at first.
But they say Termite colony expansion is slow. However, migration is never a problem if the situation requires it.
Henry (a friend next door) was at least the only one I knew who struggled with termite infestation.
I droved home from work one Saturday and noticed Henry using termite-repellant products.
It wasn’t until a fortnight before I saw a termite soldier in my house.
The termites had successfully migrated to a non-threaten area. Sadly, it was my crib.
Henry would have effectively killed the termites with ZERO escape risk had he scheduled for professional termite service.
So note neighboring termites are contagious. Prepare for a breach!
I’d advise installing termite-repellant products around your home to create an invisible barrier they won’t cross.
And to add to your preventive measures, also read: Where Do Termites Come From?
Stay safe, cheers!
I would also love to know your thought on whether is it safe to live in a house with termites.