How to Get Rid of Termites in Nairobi?

How to Get Rid of Termites in Nairobi?

A termite infestation can lead to costly damage to your home’s interior and overall structure. It’s easy to overlook these little critters at first, but it’s crucial to spot the first signs of termites in your home as soon as possible.

Nairobi has a humid climate, and as a tropical country, is very prone with termite infestation. If you suspect you have termites in your home, it’s important to take action quickly. It is very helpful to be watchful, because termites can do a lot of damage before you even realize they’re there. Property owners in Nairobi across the county spend thousands of shillings on termite control and repair.

Out of all the household pests many homeowners encounter, termites are notoriously among the worst. In fact, termites cause billions of shillings worth of damage to homes each year, making them some of the most expensive pests to treat. How to Get Rid of Termites in Nairobi?

Because termites spend much of their time underground, many people don’t even realize they have a termite infestation until they have already caused significant damage to their property

What Are The Signs Of Termite Infestation?

Termites are notorious for causing extensive damage to structures, and it’s crucial to identify an infestation early to prevent costly repairs. Here are some common signs of termite infestation to look out for:

Visible Mud Tubes: Subterranean termites create mud tubes to travel from their colony to their food source. These tubes are typically found along the foundation of a building, and their presence can indicate an active infestation.

Discarded Wings: Termites swarm during certain times of the year, and after mating, they shed their wings. Piles of discarded wings may indicate a termite colony nearby.

Hollow Wood: Termites tunnel through wood, weakening its structure and causing it to become hollow. If you tap on a wooden structure and hear a hollow sound, it could be a sign of termite damage.

Cracked or Bubbling Paint: Termites produce moisture when tunneling through wood, which can cause paint to bubble or crack.

Frass: Drywood termites create tiny, pellet-like droppings called frass that they push out of their tunnels. If you find small piles of frass near wooden structures, it could be a sign of an infestation.

Swarming Termites: If you notice a swarm of winged insects around your property, it could be a sign of a termite infestation.

It’s important to note that termite infestations can be difficult to detect, and some signs may not be obvious. Regular inspections by a professional termite control company can help identify an infestation early and prevent extensive damage.

Signs of Termite Infestation at Home Include:

• Hollow-Sounding Wood: Tap on wood; hollow sounds indicate damage.

• Mud Tubes: Pencil-sized tubes on walls or beams.

• Discarded Wings: Piles of wings near windows or doors.

• Frass (Termite Droppings): Pellet-like droppings near wood.

• Blisters in Wood Flooring: Blisters or dark areas in wood flooring.

• Damaged or Hollowed Wood: Crumbling wood structures.

• Swollen Floors and Ceilings: Spongy, swollen areas.

• Head Banging Noises: Clicking sounds from disturbed termites.

• Tight-Fitting Doors and Windows: Warped doors and windows.

• Visible Termites: Seeing live termites in your home.

Types of Termites

Before breaking out the baits or pesticides, it’s necessary to identify the type of termite. The most common types in residential and commercial properties are subterranean, drywood, and dampwood termites.

Subterranean termites are highly destructive and tend to cause more damage than drywood or dampwood termites. This is largely due to their large colonies and aggressive feeding habits, but also because of their saw-toothed jaws. They are typically light yellow to brown in color, with reproductive termites sporting two pairs of colorless, equal-length wings. These termites live in soil and build distinctive mud tubes to access above-ground wood sources, such as a home’s foundation, helping them maintain the moisture they need to survive.

Drywood termites don’t rely on mud tubes to travel. The winged reproductive drywood termites (alates) range from deep yellow to brown, while workers are creamy yellow to light brown. Drywood termites feed on and nest in wooden structures and are commonly found in warm, coastal areas of California, Florida, and Hawaii.

Dampwood termites often cause more damage to outdoor wooden structures than indoor due to their preference for moist, decaying wood. They are usually brown but can range from light to dark brown or even reddish brown. Look for dampwood termites in firewood piles, fence posts, utility poles, and other wood that has been exposed to moisture or water damage.

How to Prevent Termite Infestations

Preventing a termite infestation is always preferable to treating one. Take these steps to reduce your risk and safeguard your home.

Eliminate damp areas around the home by fixing plumbing leaks, leveling the yard, and repairing dripping air conditioners. Termites are drawn to moisture, so removing these problem spots makes the house less attractive to termite populations.

Replace soil with sand around the home to prevent as much wood-to-soil contact as possible. While subterranean termites can build mud tubes between the soil and the foundational wood, they cannot build tunnels through the sand.

Clear gutter systems to ensure proper drainage. If the gutter is clogged, the excess water flows over the edge and accumulates at the base of the home, making the soil soft and wood appealing to termites.

Install termite-resistant wood if the home has had termite infestation problems in the past. Also, leave at least 6 inches between the soil and any outdoor wooden structures, like a deck, porch, or patio.

Seal openings with termite-resistant steel mesh to prevent these pests from accessing the home.

Stack firewood away from the home to reduce the risk of termite infestations. If the firewood pile is directly against the home, there is a higher chance that the termites will find their way into the house.

Regular inspections can identify any possible issues. Professionals also provide suggestions for improved termite prevention and treatment.

Causes Of Termite Infestations:
Termite infestation can be attributed to several factors, including:

Moisture: Termites require moisture to survive, and damp conditions can attract them to your property. Leaky pipes, standing water, and poor drainage can all create moist environments that are conducive to termite activity.

Wood-to-Soil Contact: Subterranean termites live in underground colonies and create mud tubes to access their food source. When wooden structures are in direct contact with soil, it provides an easy entry point for termites.

Woodpiles and Debris: Woodpiles, tree stumps, and other debris around your property can attract termites. These items provide a source of food and shelter for termites, making them more likely to infest nearby structures.

Structural Issues: Cracks and gaps in foundations, walls, and roofs can allow termites to enter buildings. Termites can also enter through utility lines and plumbing, so it’s essential to seal any openings around these areas.

Location: Location: Certain regions are more prone to termite infestations than others. For example, areas with warm, humid climates and high rainfall are ideal environments for termites.

How to Identify Termites

Termites are a type of destructive pest that feed primarily on decaying wood. Termites can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to a home without being detected. This is why it’s so important to know the different types of termites and how to get them out of your home.

Most termites fall into three types: subterranean, dampwood, and drywood termites. Each has its own biology and behaviors, but treatments are the same. All of these termite species can be identified by their bodies, colors, antennae, and wings. If you see old wings, fecal pellets (droppings), or damaged wood, it could be one of these three.

Subterranean termite swarmers are black with white, almost translucent wings. The worker termites do not have wings and are cream-colored. These are found in just about every state but are more common in warmer areas.

Dampwood termites are larger than the other two types. They can range from dark brown to light brown to red, while nymphs are cream-colored. These termites are typically found in Nairobi.

Drywood termites are browner in color with two sets of darker, veiny wings that they usually shed. While the majority of colonies are smaller, there can be a few thousand in drywood colonies.

The Best Way to Get Rid of Termites

The only way to wipe out a colony is to kill the queen. Otherwise, she will keep producing more termites and the problem will never end. The problem is the queen is always tucked away safely deep in the termite colony. She doesn’t need to venture out when she has thousands of worker termites to bring her food. So, how do you reach the termite queen? You don’t. You give her workers poisoned food to take back to her. We bury bait stations at key locations with a delicious buffet that attracts termites like horse apples attract flies. The workers take the poisoned food back to the nest and share it with the rest of the colony, including the queen. A short time after she dies, your termite problem is over. Additionally, your baiting system keeps working to prevent new colonies from moving in and setting up shop. If you’re concerned that you have termites attacking your Nairobi home or business, call the professionals here at Jopestkil Nairobi. We offer free in-home inspections to find and determine the extent of your termite problem. Then we set to work eradicating it.