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Facts about White Ants and their effect

White ants, commonly referred to as termites, are always dreaded because of their destructive tendencies especially when they invade a house. This article will try to focus on different topics related to white ants, including their classification, characteristics, the destruction they cause, and efficient extermination techniques that will allow one to remove them from the house.

What are White Ants? (What are white ants called​?)

White ants are more commonly known as termites, and these are social insects under the order Isoptera. However, in spite of the term, ‘white ants’ is not a true ant, as they are considered more closer to the cock roach, in terms of their cousins. In most instances, the term “white ant” is frequently confused with the term “termite” since many termite species, such as the worker termites which tend to have a light colour tone, almost white facet.

This term confusion may be harmful for the homeowners regarding on pest control, as it is well known that the pest control treatment approaches of true ants are very much different from termites. Therefore, it is highly important to note here that it is critical for pest control efforts to bear in mind that white ants are nothing more than termites.

Pests such as white ants, or termites, perform a vital role for themselves in the food chain by the means of digesting the cellulose present in the much dead plant matter, but when these pests invade your homes – walls and furniture – they can be quite destructive.

Therefore, it is recommended to the homeowners to maintain a watchful eye on signs of disturbance such as mud tubes or the walls or furniture sounding hollow, and seek professional help of pest control to solve the issues if any with White ants.

What do White Ants look like? And, What are their characteristics?

Most white ants are usually between 4 to 10 mm in length. They have a pale white or creamy white color and light brown color and this has made it difficult for people to differentiate them with other bugs. Their bodies do not possess any constriction around the waist and are ants, and have long beads shaped antenna. We summarize their physique in the following pointers;

• Color of Body: White to light cream.
• Shape of Body: Rectangular in shape and no waist.
• Shape of Antennae: Beaded and straight.
• Wings: Where present, both wings are the same and can be easily lost.

White Ants vs Termites​

The expressions ‘white ants’ and ‘termites’ are used in the same breath quite often. But it is necessary to note that all white ants are termites but not all portions of the termites can accurately be called white ants. In fact, people face confusion because they see the white ants, who are not really ants in the first place, many of the species of the termites tend to look very similar to ants and thus the nickname became prominent.

Where are the White Ants found? | Where do White Ants live?​

The life of the white ant’s normally calls upon moist habitats. They draft nesting areas within:

• Soil: Sub-termites build complex network of nests throughout the soil.
• Wood: They attack living and dead trees and any wood within the house as well.
• Damp Areas: Common places are wall spaces around leaking pipes or damp cellars.

The presence of white ants in wood can be detrimental to buildings and therefore needs immediate elimination for the homeowner. Most people refer to them as small white ants or white tiny ants and these pests tend to prefer damp places where there are wooden items. When white ants in wood are left unchecked they end up sucking the insides of beams, furniture, amongst other wooden parts, this brings about expensive repair bills.

Knowing what to look out for, such as mud tubes as well as wood sound impressions that are hollow assists in the management of the pest problem. Whenever there are signs of these small white ants in the house always check the basement or if there are any wet areas around plumbing.

Many bodies focus on chemical treatment designed for white ants to solve the problems with white ants in wood. The chemicals are specifically aimed at destroying colonies of the small white ant from infesting the wood. White ants can easily infest our homes and if a chemical for white ants that is safe for indoor use is used, we can prevent white ants infestation.

Consistent usage of these chemicals will provide a barrier against colonies of white tiny ants to invade your premises and hence provide shelter of such colonies which can cause a huge amount of destruction due to the feeding even death to most plants. Homeowners who want to eradicate white ants in wood must combine preventative measures with chemical treatment of wood.

Signs of Infestation of White Ants in house​

The most important thing about white ants is their propagation. If one acts quickly, damage can be limited. The following are the common signs of them:

• Mud Tubes: With soil and saliva these tunnels allow movement between nests and food sources.
• Wood Damage: Drummy wood or any timber with damaged timber.
• Torn Wings: Certain parts like windows or other openings repel wings which means the termites after months of waiting have finally swarmed.

Getting Help with the Infestation of White Ants in the House

How to get rid of white ants in the house​?

Tackling the problem of white ant infestation has to be deliberate because they are capable of causing severe structural damage in a short period. The following describes ways through which white ant populations can be controlled:

How to stop white ants​? | White Ant control treatment​

Chemical Treatments

1. Termiticides: These are defined as insecticides used to eradicate termites to death upon contact or after eating them and can be sprayed around the house or into the wood directly.
2. Baiting Systems: Workers are able to carry the insecticide into the colony, where it kills the queen and other termites, ultimately leading to the colony’s demise.

Natural Remedies

There are a number of alternatives that are effective and do not present any threat to one’s environment as compared to the pesticides precedingly discussed:

1. Boric Acid: This can be used directly to the affected portions or in the sugar water that has been drunk by white ants in the affected areas.
2. Essential Oils: Essential oils can also affect the behaviors of termites preventing them from infesting your home such as through the use of orange oil or neem oil.

Preventive Measures

There are various approaches that can be taken to avert any further infestations:

• Regular Inspections: Collaborate with a pest control service for at least one inspection a year to ensure everything is fine.
• Moisture Control: Attempting to restrict excess moisture in the environment by ensuring that there are no leaks or proper drainage is available will help.
• Wood Treatment: Construct all wood with treated wood and ensure wooden structures do not come into direct contact with the soil.

Natural remedies to get rid of white ants in the house

How to get rid of white ants naturally​?

To deal with the white ants (termites) infestations, some measures can be safely taken that will assist in fighting the termites without harming the environment. Here’s a well detailed discussion on the best natural means to eliminate white ants from your house.

Natural treatment without any use of chemical for white ants​
(Natural remedy for White ants)

1. Boric Acid

This is one of the natural remedies which clinically has been shown, when used properly, it is effective against termites. When boric acid is consumed by a termite, it disturbs it intestinal flora making its ecological balance unstable and subsequently killing them due to starvation.

How to Use:

• One teaspoon of boric acid is dissolved in one cup of warm water and fills the mixture spray bottles.
• The very first and the most easy way out is to spray this mixture on the infested wood and spots that look potentially termite prone.
• Measurement may not be that accurate, immerse wooden sticks or cardboards in the mixture and keep them around the infested areas that may attract the feeding termites.

2. Vinegar Solution

Another natural remedy known to be effective on termites is the solution made from the white vinegar and lemon juice, this is effective because of acetic acid which is a key ingredient in the remedy.

How to Use:

• Lemon juice can be added to the mixture as well, making it a perfect solution by combining half and half ratio of water and white vinegar.
• A more direct approach would be spraying the mixtures on the mud tubes, visible termites and infested wood.
• Keep doing this every day until you have stopped noticing the presence of termites.

3. Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is made from fossilized algae and is an organic powder. When insects have the opportunity of coming in contact with it, they die because the powder dehydrates them.

How to Use:

• Place food still containing diatomaceous earth near termites or sprinkle it on areas around the termites.
• Dryness is crucial for effectiveness, as dampness can lower efficacy.

4. Neem oil

Neem oil, which is an insect repellent, is extracted from neem tree seeds and has the effect of damaging the hormone systems in termites which in turn stops them from eating or breeding.

How to Use:

• Use neem oil while diluting it with water, two tablespoons are mixed with one gallon, and direct it onto the parts that are affected.
• Repeat the application on a continuous basis until the level of infestations reduces.

5. Orange Oil

D-limonene, a primary compound in orange oil and is well known to be harmful to termites. It causes destruction to the outer skin layers and interferes with their metabolism.

How to use:

• Use water to dilute concentrated orange oil in a predetermined ratio that is stated in the instructions of the product.
• The solution can be sprayed on surfaces that have been infected by termites as well as unexplored woody areas in your house.

6. Salt Water Solution

For small infestations, salt is a great natural remedy since it causes dehydration to the white ants.

How to Do it:

• Add salt to warm water, the more salt the better (high concentration works best).
• Spray or pour this solution around places with infested white ants, especially near wooden structures.

7. Trap with Wet Cardboard

Cardboard is made of cellulose which attracts white ants encouraging them to infest it hence making this method very effective.

How to Do it:

• Take a few pieces of cardboard and wet them before putting them in areas suspected of white ant activity.
• When the cardboard is teemed with the termites, pull out the cardboard and burn it to get rid of the white ants in the house.

8. Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne contains a compound called capsaicin which is very damaging to the nerve system of the white ants hence killing them.

How to Do it:

• Combine cayenne pepper powder with water and use it as a spray.
• Once every week, spray this mixture on the white ants or around the affected areas.

9. Exposure to Direct Sunlight

White ants prefer shady places, thus an effective way to remove them is exposing them to sunlight.

How to Do it:

• When able, take outside the infested furniture into direct sunlight for a couple of hours.
• For furniture not able to move, lights with UV rays can be used to spot the required place.

10. Nematodes

Good nematodes are beneficial microscopic worms that feed on white ants, and do not harm people or animals.

Directions for use:

• Get Nematodes from garden center and add them to water according to the instructions given.
• This mixture should be put on infested places as the nematodes will go after the white ants and kill them.

The use of these natural remedies for white ant treatment can be very useful in controlling the colonies of white ant without the need for stronger chemicals. Periodic surveillance and using these methods will effectively help in preventing white ants from invading the house. Always bear in mind that effort is the magic word; several applications may have to be made for full removal of white ants from the house.

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Conclusion

Given their wood-eating tendencies, it is clear that white ants are a danger to houses. It is of utmost importance that house owners learn about their patterns, notice the first signs of infestation before it gets out of control, and take relevant and timely corrective actions. Whatever option one decides to take whether it is a chemical or natural one, fast response to a white ant challenge will ensure the safety of one’s house against these unwelcomed guests.

Maintaining some basic inspections and taking relevant and basic measures will ensure these pests do not inhabit one’s house in the foreseeable future.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)