Termites can be the bane of any homeowner's existence and eliminating their presence is always a priority. While the first signs of termite activity might be hard to miss, the eventual destruction they can cause a home will be apparent. Read on for three ways you can eliminate termites from your home and how to keep an eye out for signs of trouble. 

Signs of Trouble

The first signs of a termite infestation can often be subtle and easily missed by unsuspecting homeowners. Typically, homeowners may notice small piles of what appear to be wood chips. In fact, these are termite droppings and will originate from a small pin-sized hole above the discovered piles. The use of a flashlight can be helpful in locating the points of origin and this is the designated area in which termites will eliminate waste. Other, more invasive signs of trouble can include actual swarms of termites. Especially during hotter points of the year, termites may swarm to find a new area to inhabit. This can sometimes occur within the walls of your home and is a troubling occurrence as thousands of termites can swarm at once. 

Tenting

If you're serious about eliminating termites from your home, tenting is probably your best option. Reaching into every area of your home, fumigation will reach termites no matter where they are hiding. For those who have extensive termite damage or a more severe infestation, this will be the most effective way to remove these pests from your home. This will require an actual tent to be placed on the exterior of your home as the fumigation process is started. While the entire process typically takes 24 hours or less to complete, it is best to remain outside of your home until all remnants of the fumigation process have dissipated. 

Orange Oil 

If you're concerned about a treatment that involves fumigation, there is a more natural alternative that has proven effective against termites. Orange oil is applied directly to areas where termites are suspected to be active. Since this oil is incredibly toxic to termites, any living termites in the treated area will be killed. However, it is worth noting that the orange oil treatment is typically used as a secondary measure to protect against termite infestations. If the oil is not directly placed in an area where there is termite activity, the infestation will continue to grow. For those concerned about the chemical nature of fumigation, however, this is an ideal alternative.

To learn more, contact a local termite pest control service.