Termites are those pests that destroy your house in silence. The signs of having them may show up after about 5 years.

The thing is that you need to find them before they cause big damage. So, you are on the right page. We are here to help you to learn how to kill termites quickly and effectively.

Before fighting the enemy, you absolutely need to know what does it look like, right?

So, What Do Termites Look Like

Well, termites are very small in size and soft-bodied pests. Their color is usually gray, white or brown and their colonies are very well structured.

Each member has an important role. There are queens, workers, soldiers and swarmers in a colony. Anyhow, the general characteristics you are:

• Termites don’t have eyes
• Termites’ abdomen and thorax seem to form just one body segment
• They have 6 legs, but the form may somehow differ depending on the type of termite.

What Do Termites Look Like

Generally speaking, termites are similar to flying ants. Actually, a lot of people tend to mistake termites to be ants. Of course, there are some BIG differences between ants and termites:

• Beside ants, termites have a straight waist and not a pitched one.
• As regarding the wings, you need to know that termite wings are all the same length. On the other side, ant wings are of different length.
• Termite antennae are straight, while those of the ants are bent.

Types of Termites

In order to use the right treatment, you need to know the different types of these pests. Well, there are 2,000 species of termites in the whole world, so we are going to talk about the most important types you may encounter.

If you live in the US, then you need to know that there are only 50 termite species in this region. Also, please be aware that not all the species of termites destroy the houses and we will not enumerate those inoffensive types.

Drywood Termites: you can find them in parts of Southern California, Texas, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Arizona, Georgia, New Mexico.

Subterranean Termites: they live everywhere in the US, except Alaska. They are very common in hotter climates.

Dampwood Termites: you can find them in Montana, Oregon, Northern California, Washington, Idaho, Northern Nevada.

Life Cycle

A termite may live from 2 to 50 years, depending on the species. Moreover, its life span is related with its social role in the colony. A termite goes through three stages during its life.

Firstly, the queen of the colony lays the eggs. Those eggs will hatch as nymphs and the final stage is that of adult termite. The adult termite is able to play a role in the internal social order of the colony:

• The queen (sometimes there are more queens in a colony, if needed)
• The reproductive (you can recognize them because they have wings)
• The soldiers
• The workers

Signs of Termite Activity

If you live in termite prone areas, then it is highly recommended to check your house periodically. If the signs are not so visible or you haven’t noticed them yet, look carefully.

Believe us: you must detect an infestation before it goes wild! Termites are dangerous pests and they are able to eat up your house, if you ignore their presence. Here is evidence that you must consider:

• You find termite droppings (it is also called frass and it is basically fecal material left by termites)
• You tap some wood and it sounds hallowed out (this is because some termites eat wood inside out, damaging its structure)
• You discover mud tubes or tunnels on interior or exterior walls (those tunnels are the path from the nest to food source of the colony)
• You notice some cracks on painted wood surfaces

If it is still unclear for you, don’t hesitate to call a professional. Your home is your biggest investment and you want avoid any damages regarding it.

How do You Get Termites

I know all of us often wonder why do termites enter our homes. Well, as we said earlier, termites thrive in moist, warm and in places where is plenty of wood.

You have many things in your house that are made of cellulose and even wood, so this is perceived as an invitation to termites! It feels like heaven for them. They can’t resist to that tasty book in your library, or to that crispy vintage furniture!

Still, the termites may come to your place simply because they can. Yes, this is right.

There are probably some openings or cracks in your house foundation, roof or walls. So this makes it easy for them to reach a food source. Then again, the reason could be just the fact that you live in in an area that is susceptible of termite infestation.

You are on their territory, my friend!

How to Kill Termites Fast

You deserve to know that this is not an easy mission. Still, if you are patient and tenacious, you will succeed. Firstly, follow the rules below and you will reduce their number.

• Remove any of their food sources: wood piles, lumber or any other paper debris you may have especially near the foundation of your house.
• Caulk and seal any openings, cracks or any other points to your house. Also, make sure to put screens on your windows and vents.

Now that you have solved these issues, you can put your gloves on and let’s kill some termite colonies!

1. The ARSENIC Treatment

This is a simple remedy you may try.

It works because termites are social insects. Once you apply the substance on one member, it will spread it in the colony. So go and buy some arsenic dust.

When you notice termites in your house, sprinkle some powder on them and they will carry it to the other members.

2. The BORAX Treatment

This is also called sodium borate and it is a white powder. This substance too has to be applied on the termites you encounter. Then they will share it with the others.

3. Boric Acid with Propylene Glycol

You need to buy boric acid which contains propylene glycol, as the last one liquefies the borate. Then pour the substance into a spray bottle and generously apply in the areas where you have seen termites. Moreover, it is odorless, so the smell won’t persist on the wood!

4. Termite Bait Systems

There is on the market some sort of hollow plastic stakes. These stakes contain both food for termites and insecticide. So, the termites come to eat and shortly after they die.

You can find such products on Amazon. Here is one example: Spectracide 95852 Terminate Termite Detection Killing Stakes.

5. Termite Insecticides

These products have high efficiency, but you take some risks when using them. You need to choose between being safe or getting rid of termites. Of course, you need to find a way to achieve both of the goals.

Here is one insecticide on Amazon that will help you kill the termite colony: Spectracide Terminate Termite Killing Foam2.

6. Fumigation

If you are dealing with drywood termites, you need to try this method.

They may find your internal wood structure to be delicious food, so they are hard to get at using chemicals. But don’t worry, we reveal you this awesome solution. It is true that it is more expensive, but it works for sure. Not to say that it has to be performed by a pro!

WARNING: the residents of the building may not be allowed to live in the house for up to one week. Fumigation is a toxic method!

The good part is that this option is effective for sure. Moreover, you won’t need to cope with any residues after that.

7. Call a Pest Management Professional

These men are trained to do this. They know all about it and they are able to make this job better then you, for sure.

A pro knows to recognize the type of termites in your house, they can choose the correct treatment and they know when and how to apply it properly. If you feel overwhelmed, call them now!

Termites Treatment Cost

The cost involved when you want to eradicate termite population in your house varies. If you go for a DIY treatment, then you will pay some dollars. Though, if you opt for hiring a pro, the situation will change.

The prices may be different depending on the region, but the costs are somewhere between $500 and $5000. Of course, there other factors too that set the price: the complexity of the problem, the size of the population, etc.

How to Prevent Termites?

Because it is better to prevent than to cure, we have some advice for you:

• Periodically check your house of broken tiles, cracks and other openings.
• Don’t store cardboard boxes in the attic. Instead of it, keep your papers and items in plastic boxes.
• Inspect your house from time to time and carefully search for the above mentioned signs of termite activity!
• Don’t place the furniture close to walls.
• Put screens on your windows and also keep the doors shut when it is the swarming season.
• Remove wood debris.

We hope that now you feel more comfortable. You are informed and ready to act. We gathered in this article all you need to know in order to eliminate termites. Now, the method to use it’s only up to you. We only wish you good luck!

Spiders are some of the most frightening pests on Earth.

What a nightmare to see them webbing in your house… Still, keep calm!

It doesn’t matter that you even don’t know for sure if those little hairy things are spiders. Read this article and prepare your strategy of driving them out of your place.

Don’t get intimidated by their gruesome appearance!

What Do Spiders Look Like

Generally speaking, a spider has 8 legs, 2 body segments and they don’t have any wings. They may have 4, 6 or even 8 eyes, depending on the species and vary when it comes to the body colour.

Be careful, they are all venomous, but just a small number of them can put human life in danger. However, each type of spiders has specific features.

Types of Spiders

You wouldn’t believe, but the truth is that there are 40.000 spider species out there. Quite impressive and also creepy!

They belong to the Arachnid family and are well-known for their ability to bite. This is how they kill their prey.

As there are so many types of spider, of course we are going to present just the most important species.

Black Widow Spider

• Black and shiny.
• Most of them are 3 to 10 mm in size.
• Females can have about 13mm in size, as they are larger than males.
• The majority of this species have a red hourglass-shaped marking on their abdomen.

You have probably heard about this type. People are fascinated by the female spider because it eats the male after mating. Also, the black widow spider is the most venomous spider in the world. Don’t be afraid, their bite is rarely fatal to humans.

Jumping Spider

• They have 8 eyes and, consequently, excellent vision.
• They are large and hairy, which helps them climb up even on glass.
• Very agile jumpers, while their movements are slow.
• The size varies between 1 up to 25 mm, depending on the sub-type.

Their interesting characteristic is that of building silk tents. This is like a shelter they go into at night or when the weather is bad. Actually, this is a larger category and the jumping spider category includes about 300 sub-types.

Brown Recluse Spider

• They have a violin-shaped marking on their body.
• Colour: light to dark brown.
• They have only 6 eyes, beside other spider species.

This type is one of the most interesting, as its appearance resembles to a violin drawing. Most often, you will find these spiders running or simply walking. Webbing is not really their cup of tea.

American House Spider

• Usually, they are dull brown.
• They are about 6mm long.
• This spider tends to camouflage and to remain unnoticed.

Another common is the American house one. The funny thing is that they pretend to be dead, when they are at bay. Moreover, it is important for you to know they have poor vision.

Life-cycle

There are three stages a spider goes through in its life-cycle: egg, spiderling and adult.

1. Before laying eggs, female spiders create some sort of cases, called egg sacs. A sac is made of spider silk and may contain just a single egg or thousands of eggs. It has the role to protect the egg against any harm.
2. The laid eggs need a few weeks to hatch or they overwinter in the sac, in some regions.
3. As spider ling, it resembles an adult spider, at a smaller scale. They move by walling or by ballooning.
4. Spider lings get through at least 5 molts until they become adults.
5. Some spider types molt even during adulthood.
6. A spider is adult when it is ready to mate.

A female spider lives for about 3 years, while the male live for about 2 months. These numbers vary depending on the species features. It is interesting to know that tarantulas may live for about 20 years.

Signs of Spider Presence

It is not that hard to detect a spider infestation in your house. The first sign of their presence is pretty visible: the webs.

There is no chance for you to don’t get annoyed by those silky tracks. So, mainly, spiders can be detected by inspection.

We also want you to know where to look for them. In general, they prefer hidden places, darkness and moist.

Here is a list with the most likely places where it is possible to find some types of spiders. Check these places and see if you are dealing with the 8-legged friend.

Black widow

• Garages
• Basements
• Woodpiles
• Railings
• Outdoor furniture
• Sheds
• Stone walls

Jumping spider

• In folds of curtains/draperies
• In cracks of hardwood floors
• Under furniture
• In the underside of doors

Brown recluse

• Woodpiles
• Garages
• Basements
• Sheds
• Behind pictures
• In dressers.

American house spider

• Under furniture
• Barns
• Closets
• Garages
• Basements
• Window frames.

How Do You Get Spiders

In autumn, spider season is on. Because of the weather or because they found a food source in your house, spiders decide to move in. Moreover, it is also the mating season, so males are searching for female spiders, why not in your home?

Another reason for spider infestation is that your house is full of insects spider love to eat. Dirt, food crumbs and clutter attracts those insects which in turn attract spiders. What a chain reaction!

How to Kill Spiders Naturally and Fast

First of all, we need to warn you that spiders are actually useful.

They kill other pests in your house. In addition, some recent studies revealed the fact that spider venom can cure arthritis.

Of course, there are some species that we must avoid: black widow or the violin spider. If you are an arachnophobe or you simply hate spiders, there are more ways to kill them.

Let’s find out together how to solve the creepy issue:

1. DIY Methods

We have two helpful homemade recipes that will help you kill your hairy enemy:

Saline solution. Salt is poisonous for spiders and will help you kill them. You need an ounce of salt that you will dissolve in warm water. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and then shake it, to mix it properly. Now it is ready to use. It is also efficient against spider nests.

Dish soap. Mix 5 tablespoons with water and put the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray the spider and it will be dead in a couple of minutes.

2. Natural Spider Pests

If you are one of those persons who don’t even take into consideration to use chemicals, no problem!

At the moment, there are very efficient products you can safely use. They have natural ingredients and they still rock! Here are some of these:

• Cravegreens Organic Home Pest Control Spray: Both lost lasting and fast acting. What to wish more? You can find it on Amazon, just click here
• Natural Oust Organic Home Pest Control Spray: This is an organic formula, eco-friendly and human-friendly. Click here to check it out.

3. Chemical Products

If you are ready to play next level, here are some “toys” you may need:

• Wet & Forget 803064 Miss Muffet’s Revenge Spider Killer: It can be used for both indoors and outdoors. Moreover, it is odourless and immediately kills spiders. Again, you can buy it on Amazon.
• Black Flag Spider and Scorpion Killer: Very efficient for black widow, brown recluse and wolf spiders. If you are interested, check this link.

4. Hiring a Pro

The supreme anti-spider treatment is… hiring a pro. I am afraid that you need to call an exterminator, when you fail to kill the spiders.

The good thing is that you won’t lift a finger, but the job will be done.

Treatment Cost

You have more options to choose from, when it comes to killing spiders. This is why the prices vary, depending on the option you choose.

• DIY methods cost are the cheapest. Sometimes you may already have the ingredients in your kitchen (see the DIYs above).
• Natural or chemical pesticides start at $4.
• The most expensive treatment is represented by hiring an exterminator. At least for the first-time application the price is between $100 and $300. After that, for maintenance, the price goes down.

How to Prevent Them

People must understand that it is better to prevent, than cure. This is why we insist that you follow the recommendations:

• Seal all the cracks your walls may have.
• Periodically, carefully vacuum clean the entire place, paying attention to corners and ceilings.
• Keep your house clean, to avoid small pests come into your house. This is because they attract spiders.
• Wash the walls with disinfectants. This will prevent spiders to create webs, as they will hate the smell.
• Caulk the entrances in your home.
• When you see spider webs, take a broom and remove it. Doing this, the spider will be discouraged.

Conclusion

You can now respire. You know how to fight spiders. Remember that they are not as bad as we believe. In fact, the majority of them are really useful and safe.

We hope this is reliable information for you to learn how to kill spiders for good! Now you can cope with the hairy creepy creatures!

Some new houseguests? There are plenty of webs in every corner of your sweet home?

Spiders! Yep, you have just got some new buddies! But there are no worries! In this article you will find out how to get rid of spiders for good!

Before we can move to the first step, you need to know something. Despite they are annoying and creepy, spiders are also useful.

You may say this is crazy, but it is the truth. Spiders keep flies and mosquitoes away from you! This is very helpful, don’t you think? So, before killing spiders in your home, please think twice!

How to Get Rid of Spiders in Your Home

Now that you have made a decision, we can go further. Let’s get to work!

1. Clean Up, Vacuum Up, Keep It Spotless!

You know what they say “A clean home is a happy home.” and this is more than true. Cleanliness should be your first preoccupation, because spiders also love clutter.

All in all, you need to do thorough clean up, vacuum up and keep the house simply spotless.

Want a tip?

Well, the most powerful weapon against spiders is the vacuum-cleaner! You should make a habit of vacuuming each week. Here are the spots you need to pay attention to:

• Ceilings.
• Beneath & behind the bed.
• Under-bed storage.
• Behind & beneath sofas.
• Air ducts.
• Every single corner.

2. Sealing is The Key

Prevention is better than cure, they say. This is why we want you to learn how to deter spiders from getting into your house.

All you need to do is sealing each hole, gap or chinks especially in your windows and doors. This is how you will prevent the 8-legged bugs from coming into your place.

Using Natural Deterrents

There is no way for you to use chemicals? Then there some other natural remedies for you. These natural spider deterrents are also efficient and very useful. So give them a chance!

3. Horse Chestnut/Conkers

Here is one great tip! Did you know there is a toxic substance in horse chestnuts shells that kills spiders?

It may seem unbelievable, but it works.

Now grab some shells, crack them to release their odor and place them around the infested area. Moreover, you can also put some around your doors and windows to keep spiders out.

4. Citrus

Another great repellent spiders simply hate is citrus. Just keep some citrus fruits exposed in your kitchen. This is enough to keep them away.

Bonus Tip: you can use citrus leftovers too! Rub windowsills, doorways and even bookshelves with the citrus peels. Ta-daa! The annoying bugs will tip their legs a gallop!

5. Tobaco

If you don’t mind spending some more money and wasting tobacco, go for it. It seems that spiders don’t really like the smell of it. Place some chewing tobacco in those areas where pests invaded you house.

Bonus Tip: You can also make a mix of tobacco, water and lemon juice that is very efficient.

Soak 2 tablespoons in hot water. Leave the ingredients to combine for about half an hour. Strain the mix, add the juice of a lemon and stir. Pour into an atomizer and spray where needed.

6. Mint

This is a deterrent with high efficiency not only with spiders, but with many other bugs. Crush mint (fresh or dried) leaves and fill some tiny sachets with them. Then place the sachets all over your house.

BONUS-TIP: plant mint near your home entrances and you will prevent spiders come into your house.

DIY Methods to Get Rid of Spiders

Do you like to perform experiments and have always enjoyed chemistry classes? Then here are some DIYs for you.

You will have fun, but you will also get rid of the creepy pests in your house. And all the ingredients will be natural and safe. Let’s start playing!

7. White Vinegar and Water

This mixture can be a great organic spider repellent and completely safe for you, your children or pets. Still, the spiders are highly sensitive to vinegar and this makes it a very powerful remedy.

What do you need:

1. White vinegar
2. Water
3. A spray bottle

How to prepare it:

• Take a bottle and mix in it equal parts of water and vinegar.
• Shake the bottle to properly combine the ingredients and then spray around.

8. Essential Oils & Baking Soda Combo

To increase the potency of a mixture, it is best to combine more essential oils. They have antibacterial properties and are a great pest deterrent. Not to say that the baking soda makes the mixture a lot more efficient.

The effect will be guaranteed! Cheap and easy!

What do you need:

1. 5 drops of Eucalyptus essential oil.
2. 5 drops of Peppermint essential oil.
3. 5 drops of Tea tree oil.
4. 5 drops of Baking soda.
5. A spray bottle

How to prepare it:

• Mix all the ingredients in a spray bottle.
• Spray generously on spider prone areas.
• Tomato leaves

Do you live in the countryside? Do you own a garden and have tomato crops? If the answer is yes, here is a great anti-spider homemade spray.

What do you need:

1. Tomato leaves
2. Water
3. A spray bottle

How to prepare it:

• Chop the leaves and blend them with the water.
• Put the mixture into the bottle.
• Now the spray is ready to use.

9. Cloves

Cloves contain eugenol, a natural insecticide that keeps spiders at bay. The spray is powerful and has great effects.

What do you need:

1. 10 cloves
2. Water
3. Spray bottle

How to prepare it:

• Make a mixture of cloves and water.
• After you pour it into the bottle, apply in the areas where you have seen spiders.

10. Insecticides

Well, if you cannot handle the situation anymore with natural remedies, go for insecticides.

We recommend you some very powerful products that can be achieved on Amazon. Easy-peasy, you are now at a click distance from getting rid of the tiny hairy pests.

• TERRO T2302 Spider Killer Aerosol Spray: This product is cheap and efficient. It can be used both indoors and outdoors and it kills even black widows. Find it here
• Ortho Home Defense MAX Insect Killer Granules: One application is enough to keep spiders away for about three months. This is very powerful! Check it here.

WAIT! If you want to avoid chemicals, but natural homemade remedies don’t work for you, here are great some news! There are on the market some natural pesticides, just give them a try.

Look at these examples on Amazon:

• Eco Defense Organic Home Pest Control Spray – Kills & Repels: It contains non-toxic ingredients, still it eliminates home invading pests. You can find it on Amazon, click here.
• Nantucket Spider Natural, DEET-free Bug Repellent: VEGAN, non-sticky and very efficient. It doesn’t damage the surfaces and doesn’t stain. Could it be greater than that? Buy the product here

How to Get Rid of Spiders in Your Garden!

Again, you need to be informed that spiders are an important advantage. This is because they eat other small pests which are probably more annoying than spiders are.

If you want to get rid of spiders cost what it may, we have some answers to your issue:

• Change your outdoor lightening with sodium vapor bulbs. This is very unappealing for spiders. So, they tend to move out of the place.
• Plenty of hiding places means plenty of spiders thriving there. You need to be aware that spiders love hidden spots, where nothing disturbs them. To avoid them infesting your garden, don’t let vegetation build up.
• Remove any debris!
• Remove spider webs, when you discover them.
• Take cotton balls, soak them in essential oils and place them all around your garden.

General Rules to Get Rid of Spiders

DOs

• Keep your house and the surroundings tide
• Keep your outdoors lights off. They attract insects that spiders eat.
• Keep any debris, mulch, or leaves away from the perimeter of your sweet home
• Use brooms and vacuum-cleaners to destroy the webs

DON’Ts

• Don’t forget to clean the place after you eat. Spiders may not enjoy food crumbs, but their preys do.
• Don’t pile up old newspapers, books, because spiders love to hide and stay in darkness.
• Don’t let any holes or cracks unsealed. Caulk your doors and windows periodically.
• Don’t let vegetation build up in your garden. If you prevent them

Conclusion

Now, that you have learned how to get rid of spiders, what are you waiting for?

Try the tricks above with confidence! Build up a strategy, in order to achieve your goal. The hairy pests don’t even know what is about to come.