Termite infestation is a frightening experience. Termites are silent killers; they tend to damage your expensive furniture and degrade them to worst. Especially, during monsoon season they seek entry into your home and settle around wooden furniture. Well, if you want to escape from this scary reality and keep termites at bay, then have look at the guide below.
Here are the effective strategies that will help you protect your wooden furniture against the termite infestation.
Table of Contents
Use only high-quality BWR grade plywood
BWR stands for boiling water-resistant. The BWR ply is a high-quality ply with excellent resistivity against water, fire, termite, climate variations, and borer attacks. The BWR ply is chemically treated to withstand extreme conditions. Therefore, it is advisable to use BWR ply for the fabrication of new furniture. To ensure added protection to your wooden furniture, use 0.7mm thick laminate as liners for the interior of drawers and cabinets.
Apply anti-termite chemicals
Another important thing to consider is to apply the anti-termite chemical during the furniture preparation process only. As soon as your raw furniture is prepared apply a coat of wood preservative, thereafter go for lamination. Ensure to shop for herbal anti-termite chemicals that are eco-friendly, non-toxic, and odorless.
Protect from moisture:
Warm, humid, and dark areas tend to promote the growth of termites. Therefore, to avoid this make sure your rooms are properly ventilated. And if there is any seepage on the wall or floor, get it fixed immediately. Moreover, for deep cleaning wooden sofa, chairs, or dining tables always use a dry microfibre cloth or a non-toxic cleaner. Do not attempt to use a wet cloth as it could lead to dampness.
Prevent contact of furniture with soil
Avoid placing wooden furniture in the garden or on any kind of soil surface. This is because direct contact with soil could provide termites an easy path to make their way through furniture pieces.
Wood Polishing
Make periodic painting and polishing a part of regular maintenance. Applying a protective coating of anti-termite polish or oil-based varnishes accords your furniture a glossy finish and ensures protection against infestation.
Home remedies
Apart from the aforementioned tips consider the following home remedies for effective protection against termites.
- Sunlight acts as a natural disinfectant. Try exposing your infested furniture to scorching sunlight for 2-3 days continuously.
- Aloe vera juice works as an excellent termite repellent. The layer of aloe juice creates a barrier for termites to seep in. Extract the aloe juice and apply it all over the furniture.
- Applying a mixture prepared by using one part of vinegar and four parts of olive oil is also an effective remedy to keep termites away.
- Another notable remedy is spraying a mixture of borax solution. To prepare this use 1 teaspoon of borax in 250 milliliters of hot water and stir thoroughly. Fill this solution in a spray bottle and spray on the affected parts of the furniture.
By carefully following these tips, you need not worry about termite infestation in your wooden furniture.
