How to Treat Termites in Walls in Arizona
- 1). Examine the exterior and interior of your home thoroughly to confirm that you have termites. Look under any siding and trim, along and under eaves, around window frames and doorways both inside and outside, along baseboards, under the edges of shingles, in fuse boxes or enclosed meters and along the ends of exposed wooden supports. Look not only for live insects, but also spider webs that may contain dead termites or termite feces.
- 2). Scrape out small areas of infected wood on superficial areas using a utility knife and discard the waste. If the termite damage is not yet extensive, this may be enough to prevent further problems. If you are unsure whether or not the area is superficial or structural, leave this to a professional.
- 3). Cut back shrubs and trees near your home and remove any dead growth. Relocate firewood or lumber so that it has no contact with any surface of your home. Install bug screens on the vents of your attic or home foundation.
- 4). Repair any cracks or holes on the wooden exterior areas of your home with wood putty. Let the putty dry completely and paint the wood with two coats of exterior latex paint. Drywood termites, common in Arizona, do not like painted wood.
- 5). Hire a professional exterminator, who will be able to eradicate the termites already within the walls of your home. Professional exterminators are trained to use the chemicals necessary to kill live drywood termites and can also offer invaluable tips for future prevention.
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