Are you noticing small tunnels in your wooden furniture? Do you see droppings or piles of sawdust? If so, it’s possible that your furniture has been invaded by unwanted guests — termites. Termites are destructive pests that can cause costly damage to your furniture and even your home.
However, even if you have a termite infestation, there is hope! In this blog post, we’ll explain the steps for how to remove termites from furniture safely and effectively so that you can reclaim your pieces without incurring major expenses. Read on to learn more!
What are Termites?
Termites are small insects that live in colonies and feed on wood. They range in size from 1/8 of an inch to up to ½ an inch long, depending on the species. The most common types of termites found in furniture are subterranean termites, drywood termites, dampwood termites, and Formosan termites.
Termites are incredibly destructive and can cause serious damage to wooden furniture. They typically start infesting wood from the inside out, so it’s important to take action as soon as you notice signs of an infestation.
Needed Materials
Given below are the materials you need to remove termites from your wooden furniture:
- Insecticidal Soap or Boric Acid
- A Scrub Brush, Sponge, or Cloth
- A Vacuum Cleaner With a Hose Attachment (or Another Device) for Suctioning Up Dead Termites
- A High-Pressure Washer (Optional)
10 Step-by-step Guidelines on How to Remove Termites From Furniture
Step 1: Identify the Area of Infestation
Before attempting to remove termites from furniture, it’s important to properly identify where the infestation is located. Termites can be found in wood, so check all pieces of your furniture for tunnels or droppings.
It’s also helpful to check the area around your furniture, such as walls and flooring. If you can’t identify the infested area, consider bringing in a professional pest control team to help locate the source of the problem.
Step 2: Vacuum Up Dead Termites
Once you have identified the termite-infested area, use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment to suction up any dead termites. It’s important to dispose of the bag or canister immediately, as it will contain live insects.
However, it’s important to note that vacuuming alone won’t get rid of the termites. You’ll need to take additional steps to ensure that all of the insects are eliminated.
Step 3: Wash the Infested Area
Using a scrub brush, sponge, or cloth and warm water mixed with insecticidal soap, scrub the infested area and wash away as many dead termites as possible. If you have access to a high-pressure washer, use it to get rid of any remaining termites. But be careful — the high pressure could damage delicate wood if used incorrectly.
Step 4: Apply Boric Acid or Insecticidal Soap
Once the area is clean and dry, apply boric acid or insecticidal soap to the infested area. Boric acid is a natural pesticide that is safe for use on furniture, while insecticidal soap works by suffocating the termites. Make sure to wear protective gear (such as gloves and a mask) when using these products.
Step 5: Work it Into the Wood
Once you have applied the boric acid or insecticidal soap, work it into the wood using a cloth or scrub brush. This will help to ensure that the product is evenly distributed and reaches all of the termites. Be careful not to damage any of the wood while doing this.
It’s important to note that boric acid and insecticidal soap aren’t effective immediately. It may take up to several days or weeks before the termites are eliminated.
Step 6: Allow Time for Product to Work
Now that you have applied the boric acid or insecticidal soap to the infested area, you need to let it sit for several hours. This will give the product time to work and get rid of any remaining termites. You may need to reapply the product if you don’t see any results after a few days.
Step 7: Vacuum Again
Once the product has had time to work, use your vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment to suction up any dead termites. Make sure to dispose of the bag or canister immediately. But remember, the vacuum alone won’t get rid of all of the termites — you may need to take additional steps.
Step 8: Re-Wash Infested Area
Using a scrub brush, sponge, or cloth and warm water mixed with insecticidal soap, re-wash the infested area to remove any remaining residue from the boric acid or insecticidal soap.
If you have access to a high-pressure washer, use it to get rid of any remaining residue. It’s important to note that a high-pressure washer can damage delicate wood, so use it with caution.
Step 9: Check for Termites Again
Once the area has been re-washed and dried, double-check for evidence of termites by inspecting your furniture carefully. Look for tunnels or droppings and pay attention to any spots that seem particularly infested. If you do find evidence of termites, repeat Steps 3-7 until the area is free of termites.
Step 10: Treat the Entire Room
Once your furniture has been treated and is free of termites, it’s important to also treat the entire room or house for any remaining pests. This will help to prevent future infestations and keep your home safe from termites. Always follow the directions on any pesticide product you use to ensure safety and effectiveness.
By following these 10 steps on how to remove termites from furniture, you can remove termites from furniture quickly and effectively. However, if the infestation is severe or if you are unable to get rid of it yourself, it’s best to contact a professional pest control team for help.
They will be able to provide a more thorough treatment and can help you reclaim your furniture from the termites.
Do You Need to Use Professionals?
As mentioned above, if the infestation is severe or if you are unable to get rid of it yourself, it’s best to contact a professional pest control team for help.
Professional exterminators have access to more powerful treatments and can provide a comprehensive service that takes into account any underlying issues. They will also be able to give advice on how to prevent future infestations.
In addition to contacting a professional exterminator, it’s also important to do regular inspections of your furniture and check for signs of termites or other pests. This will help you catch any infestations early before they can cause too much damage.
Additionally, make sure to properly store wood furniture away from damp areas and take steps to prevent moisture build-up in your home. This will help to make your home less attractive to termites and other pests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I Prevent Termites From Infesting My Furniture?
A1: Yes! To prevent a termite infestation, you should regularly inspect your furniture for any signs of tunnels or droppings. You can also take preventive steps such as sealing cracks and crevices in walls and floors and removing excess moisture from your home. Additionally, make sure to store wood furniture away from damp areas and take steps to prevent moisture build-up in your home.
Q2: What Is the Best Way To Treat an Infestation?
A2: The best way to treat an infestation is by using a combination of techniques. Vacuuming up dead termites, washing and treating the infested area with boric acid or insecticidal soap, and allowing time for the product to work are all important steps. Additionally, it’s important to treat the entire room to help prevent future infestations.
If you are unable to get rid of the infestation yourself, it’s best to contact a professional pest control team for help. They will be able to provide a more thorough treatment and can help you reclaim your furniture from the termites.
Q3: How Long Does It Take To Get Rid of Termites?
A3: The amount of time it takes to get rid of termites depends on the severity of the infestation. Generally, it can take anywhere from several weeks to a few months for an infestation to be completely removed.
Professional exterminators may also be able to provide a more thorough treatment and can help you reclaim your furniture from termites faster. Additionally, taking preventive steps such as regularly inspecting your furniture for any signs of tunnels or droppings will help to prevent future infestations.
Conclusion
Removing termites from furniture can be a challenging task, but it is certainly possible. With the right equipment, expertise and diligence, it is possible to tackle this job yourself.
Additionally, there are pest control specialists who can assist in safely and effectively ridding the infestation. It’s important to remember that prevention is also key; regularly checking for any signs of dry wood termites is essential if you want to avoid having to use any of the methods discussed in this post.
Pest management experts recommend using approved chemical treatments and other specialized tools that are specifically designed to protect against these pests.
The last point: don’t forget that wood furniture has its own beauty and value so be sure you take care of it properly even when not dealing with an infestation! Thanks for reading this article on how to remove termites from furniture- Stay vigilant and enjoy your favorite furniture pieces free from termite attack!
