Termites can cause significant damage to various kitchen ideas and designs. You will not even get the slightest hint if there is termite infestation in your house until it is too late as they work silently. Additionally, termite infestation spreads throughout the house very fast. If you cannot prevent it in the early stage, you will have to make a lot of expenses to get them removed.
Also, getting your kitchen termite-free is a little trickier than handling your furniture. You cannot put your cabinets out in the sun. To help you make your kitchen termite-free, here are a few tips:
01 of 07 Contact pest control before the construction
Most people call pest control after construction is complete. However, it is often beneficial to call pest control before the construction of your kitchen idea begins. This termite treatment procedure helps to protect your building from later infestations. Common procedures include treating the soil before placing the slabs and the areas where wooden materials like doors, windows, cabinets, etc. will be installed. Hence, you must call a professional team to get the construction area treated before the construction begins. Prevention is better than cure!
02 of 07 Choose materials that are termite resistant
Wood is one of the favourite options of termites as they feed on the cellulose of plants. Hence, adding wooden items to your kitchen idea will certainly attract termites. Experts suggest using processed wood or engineered wood in the kitchen because they can reduce the chances of a termite infestation. Although processed or engineered wood contains resins that make feeding on the wood difficult for termites, you must remember that they cannot make wood completely resistant to termites.
In case you want to avoid using processed wood, consider opting for chemically treated wood. Give the solid wood a chemical treatment before starting the construction of your kitchen. This house interior idea can help you avoid a termite infestation and major damage to your kitchen design.
03 of 07 Allow sunlight to enter
Experts recommend keeping wooden furniture pieces out in the sun when they are infested by termites. However, you cannot do the same with your kitchen cabinets or countertops to get rid of termites. Hence, you should always opt for home interior ideas that feature large windows to let sun rays enter the kitchen. Exposure to sun rays will help to prevent a termite infestation. However, you must always remember that prolonged exposure to sun rays can damage and discolour your cabinets and countertops. Consider installing drapes or curtains to block sunlight when required.
04 of 07 Keep an eye for termites
Termite infestation is not easy to track. They feed fast but silently. You must always stay attentive and keep an eye out for wood dust. A wavy appearance of wood is also a sign of termite infestation. If you listen carefully, you might notice shallow shutter noises as well. Hollow-sounding wood can be infested by termites also. If you can identify these signs in the early stages, you can prevent massive damage to your kitchen design.
05 of 07 Keep the pipes clean
To avoid termite infestation, you must keep the kitchen clean. Termites get attracted to dirty surroundings and the kitchen is one of the places in the house that get dirty very fast. Although people clean the entire kitchen, they often ignore the drain or water pipes. You should clean these pipes regularly to keep termites away.
06 of 07 Use home remedies
A termite infestation requires immediate attention. If you notice signs of termite infestation, take immediate action instead of waiting for the professionals. You can use various home remedies to keep termites away like applying boric acid and orange oil. However, be careful while handling these items and take safety measures while applying them as they can be poisonous. Also, you must keep in mind that these remedies can hinder the growth of termites but cannot prevent a termite infestation completely if it has spread a lot.
07 of 07 Seek professional help
Controlling termites can be difficult. They can damage your home tremendously and that will result in a lot of expenses. It is always better to contact professionals if you notice any signs of termite infestation. They have the tools and chemicals required to completely eradicate a termite infestation.
