Termites are the last things you want in your home, especially in your bed. Can termites get in your bed?
- Termites spread fast through ventilation and heating systems to bring with them dust and other unwanted particles.
- They thrive in homes due to the presence of moisture, food, and warmth.Â
- They may set up camp in and around your bed, particularly if it’s a wood frame.
But how can you get rid of termites? There are three main ways you can keep them at bay:
- Use of chemicals
- Baits
- Termiticide barriers
Let us discuss how to keep termites off your bed and at home in general.
Can Termites Get In Your Bed?
Termites eat through wood non-stop till it’s all finished. Termites can get into the bed and damage your bedding or the bed itself if it is wooden, weakening its structure.
They may be attracted to the wood in your bed, or just have gotten into your house and intend to chew through all the wood they can find.
Termites can get into the bed and damage your bedding or the bed itself if it is wooden, weakening its structure.
If you’re finding creatures on your linens but not on the wood, you may have confused termites with another bug (hopefully). But if you see signs of termite tubes (see below), you’ve got a problem.
Termites are no joke and are probably the most dangerous pest to have in your house.
They have the power to destroy your home, not just your bed!
Termite Control Measures
If you suspect termites in your home, the best thing to do is immediately call a professional. Termites cause all sorts of issues, from legal liability and disclosure when selling a home to simply the awful stress of trying to remove a colony actively damaging your home.
You should not try to manage a termite infestation on your own.
You should not try to manage a termite infestation on your own.
But if you want to supplement professional help, here are a few methods of control
1. Using Direct Chemicals
Unlike other anti-termite sprays, natural chemicals can be used inside the house. Most natural chemicals are in foam, allowing you to shoot through voids, crevices, and cracks where most termites hide.
These foams are odorless and expand fast to cover a large area, then evaporate to leave residues that poison termites.
Natural chemicals can last for more than a month, discouraging the spread of termites.
2. Termite Baits
Termite baits are very effective in controlling termite infestation. Baits are installed around the house’s foundation. This attracts termites to poison them, interrupting their natural growth and eventually killing them.
The toxins have a delayed action meaning termites will carry them into their colonies, spreading them to others.
3. Termite Barriers
You can purchase termite-killing products and apply them to your house exterior to form a barrier. Termiticides easily kill termites as they cannot detect and avoid them. They die when they eat materials treated with these products.
Chemicals used in anti-termite products spread like viruses within a termite colony. When one gets into contact with it, it spreads among others, killing even more.
You can purchase termite-killing products and apply them to your house exterior to form a barrier.
How to Detect Termite Infestation at Home
You can prevent damage to your bedding and other home materials if you can detect termite infestation early. The following are signs of termite infestation in your home.
1. Presence of Live Termites
As soon as you spot live termites in your home, try and differentiate them from flying ants, bed bugs, or other creatures you might find in and around your bed. This will help you understand what you may be dealing with and what measures to take.
For example, termites have thick abdomens, even-sized wings, and straight antennae.
Flying ants, on the other hand, have different wing sizes, bent antennae, and are thin around the middle area.
2. Mud Tubes
Mud tubes on wooden surfaces show the presence of termite infestation in your home. Termites build mud tubes to connect the soil with the wood they eat. The absence of termites in the tube does not mean you are free from them.
Take fast action as soon as you spot these mud tubes.
3. Head Banging
This occurs inside the walls, where strange clicking sounds may be heard. Head banging is done by soldier termites to signal others of danger. They shake their bodies and bang on the wood, creating sounds that can be heard on the other side.
Termites inside a wall will affect the structural integrity of your home; therefore, apply the most effective extermination methods available.
4. Peeling of Paint
Peeling of paint occurs when termites eat through dry walls, allowing moisture to get through. Moisture on the surface causes the paint to bubble and eventually peel off.
There are obviously many other causes of paint peeling off. Make sure you further check for signs of termites inside your wall.
5. Hollow Hood
To identify hollow wood, tap or knock the wood to hear a hollow sound or soft thud. A screwdriver can be used for further testing. Press the screw inside the wood to check for hollow points.Â
Conclusion
Always stay on the lookout for signs of termites around your bed and outside the house to prevent damage. There are various termite control options you can use depending on the severity of the infestation.
However, if you use chemicals, ensure that the compounds used in the anti-termite products will not end up affecting you and your environment.Â
