Being in the wild can mean you are never alone. The outdoors can be a tricky place to maneuver, especially when you encounter some of nature’s smallest inhabitants- termites.
But, do not let these little creatures scare you away. Here are some survival tips that many campers have used to get rid of termites without tenting. For other, survival tips you can read our camping advice article.
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Spotting the Termites
To get rid of the termites yourself, you first need to find their chow spots and hideouts. Different types of termites have varying characteristics. Here are some of the most most common kinds of termites:
Dry Wood Termites
These termites live in areas with dry wood. They feed on the wood and build their nests in them.
Damp wood Termites
Damp wood termites live in wet regions such as wet woods, swamps, and marshes. Many people have never seen these types of termites because they rarely move away from wet areas.
Subterranean Termites
These are some of the most destructive termites on earth. They live in colonies and build tunnels that connect from one tree to another or from one support beam to another in a shelter. Subterranean Termites can destroy sparse woods because they build nests within the woods and feed on the grain of the wood.
Best Ways to Get Rid of Termites Without Tenting
HEATING
Heating is one of the most effective ways of controlling or treating termite infestation. Compared to fumigation, this method is less hazardous. Heating does not need chemicals as heat is used to get rid of the termites. Heat treatment works best on attic structures or detached sheds.
Raise the air temperatures to between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 35minutes to kill the termites.
Vinegar
Vinegar is a handy material for cooking and cleaning. Not only can you use it for the mentioned purposes, but you can also use it to get rid of termites. Mix half a cup of vinegar with fresh lemon juice, and you will have your termite killer.
Fill a spray bottle with your mixture and spray the infested area. The acidic content will kill the termites on the spot. Repeat the procedure to eliminate any termites you did not reach during the first treatment.
Borates
Sodium borate, also sold as a borax powder, kills termites and doubles as a laundry detergent. You can either mix the powder with water and spray it on the infected area or sprinkle the powder around the affected area. Reapply the solution/powder to reach more termites in the colony.
Wet Cardboard
Termites love water and cellulose. Sprinkle a piece of cardboard with water, and you will be setting up the best buffet bait for termites. Why would you choose this treatment method? The wet cardboard lures termites out onto one spot- the cardboard.
Once termites settle into feast on the bait, you can take the cardboard piece away from the affected area and burn it to kill all the termites on it. Repeat the procedure more often to attract more termites.
Orange Oil
Orange oil is extracted from orange peels, and it contains d-limonene, which kills termites. You can buy the oil from garden stores in your area or online stores.
The oil dissolves the exoskeletons of termites, causing them to lose moister and proteins, thus killing them. Spray the oil on the termites or the affected areas more often to get rid of the termites. Orange oil also deters the termites from invading your space.
Remember to wear gloves and masks when using orange oil because it has a higher concentration of acid.
Boric Acid
Boric acid is an effective way of killing termites without tenting. Using boric acid is helpful because it also kills other bugs like ants.
Create a paste by using propylene glycol and apply it on areas you suspect there is an infestation. You can also pour the mixture into the termite mounds to kill the entire colony. Always wear gloves when creating the boric acid mixture.
If you prefer using boric powder, sprinkle it around the termite mounds and the ages of your tents. The powder will stop termites colonies from invading in huge numbers.
Nematodes
These are parasitic worms that feed on termites. You can buy nematodes online or from garden stores in your location.
Release the worms in the infested areas and watch as they feat on them. If the colony has enough termites, the nematodes will reproduce and continue with their destruction journey.
How to Identify a Termite Infestation?
Here are some ways to spot termites in your surrounding:
- Hollow planks of wood: Whenever you knock a plank of wood and hear a soft thud, chances are there are termites present. You can also try cutting the wood using a knife, and if it is so easy, that is a bad sign.
- Mud tubes: Most termites create mud tubes to shade themselves from the sun. Spotting these “highways” means you have termites, but their absence does not mean you are termite-free.
- Seeing live termites: You can come across some live termites. It is crucial to differentiate termites from flying ants- that way, you will have a clear picture of what you are dealing with. Termites have thick abdomens, even-sized rare wings, and straight antennas. But, flying ants have thinner lower parts, different wing sizes, and bent antennas.
CONCLUSION
As you plan your next adventure, it is essential to know different methods of getting rid of termites apart from tenting.
While the above methods are effective, they are only applicable to moderate termite infestation. You might want to call for professionals in extreme situations. Even the savviest survivor cannot compete with a trained technician’s experience and knowledge on commercial-grade products and equipment.