At your house the possibility of you having lovely wooden furniture is high but who can blame you? Everybody loves furniture made from wood as it is beautiful to look at and practical. However, there are also some that love wood above anything else and that are termites. Termites are creatures that prove to be a hassle and a burden when they infest your wooden furniture but do not worry because like every other problem a termite infestation can be cured and solved when confronted early on.
So first what are Termites?
Termites are small insects that live colonies that feed on wood and dead plant matter, they are found everywhere except Antartica. Termites have existed for a very long time, evidence suggests that their origin can be found during the Late Jurassic era, they are often called “white ants” but they are not ants and are not closely related to ants. In North America, there are about 50 different species of termites that have a lot of characteristics to look for in order to make the right decisions in dealing with termites. The best way to deal with termites is to call professional termite exterminators, like termite exterminators in York, PA since they have experience and training to keep your termite problem at bay. However, if you want to do things your way; here are tips on how to deal with termites before and after.
How to take care of furniture to avoid termites
Termites are devastating pests that are irritating to get rid of, luckily there are ways to protect furniture in order to prevent a termite infestation and a whole lot of problems.
- Expose them to sunlight
Exposing furniture towards sunlight would do good as long as you do it weekly rather than letting it stay there forever. The sunlight would keep the surface of the wood dry eliminating the possibility of a termite infestation.
- Keep wooden furniture away from moisture
This is one of the best things to do when taking care of furniture, never expose it to moisture as it will make it at risk of having a termite problem. When furniture is near places where it could be exposed to water such as verandas, terraces and kitchen make sure that there are waterproof coatings at the sides. Humid weather can also cause moisture to them so make sure to check them every once in a while.
- Oil the surface
If your furniture has not yet been infected with termites, oiling the surface could provide protection especially if you are living in coastal areas and humid places. Oiling can be a way to preserve wooden furniture. They can even replace varnish to a certain degree.
- Use Vinegar
Vinegar has been renowned as a pantry option for cleaning virtually everything. Fewer people are aware that they can also be used to ward against pests, though. A water-vinegar solution sprayed on plants will deter insects and snails from damaging them. Well, if it can keep insects away from plants, it certainly can keep them away from other things, like your furniture. Simply spraying white vinegar on your furniture may be sufficient to eradicate any termites already there. However, if you also want to protect the furniture, combine some cooking oil (like olive oil) with white vinegar before misting the furniture.
- Smear aloe vera
For some using oil might be a hassle and the greasy feel afterwards might be not suitable. So the next best thing is to smear aloe vera Even after allowing the oil coat to soak, oiling can be untidy for some people and the finished product may feel greasy. Additionally, not all oil and vinegar smells pleasant. While the scent will pass with time, it should be taken into account, especially if your home is poorly ventilated. It is simpler to utilize neutral-smelling substitutes in these circumstances, like aloe vera gel. Apply a smooth gel made by crushing the gelatinous inside to the surface of the furniture. You need to have a clear, smooth, and unscented finish after the layer dries. Aloe vera gel can be rather thick, making it just as good in keeping termites away as oiling.
- Use good varnish
Apart from oils, vinegar, and gels, varnish is still the most widely used technique for protecting furniture. Don’t neglect it as a result when making or purchasing uncoated furniture. Varnish might be pricey depending on the ingredients, but that doesn’t mean all high-quality varnish is expensive; instead, check for reviews and suggestions for the best brands within your price range.
Take care of your wooden belongings
Termites like any other pests are very troublesome when your house gets infested. They are very hard to spot because of their size. Luckily they are easy to eradicate and prevent from taking over your house. Just remember to not panic and to think step by step on how to work your way into a termite free home. Remember these tips when buying new wooden furniture and in taking care of old ones.